UNO Health Center: 5 Facts Everyone Should Know About Human Papillomavirus

1. Any sexually active person, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is at risk for HPV.

2. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active men and women get it at some point if they haven’t been vaccinated.

3. Most HPV infections do not show noticeable symptoms.

4. Many HPV infections go away on their own with no trouble, but others can persist and cause certain cancers.

5. There are vaccines that can protect you against the types of HPV that cause most cancers and genital warts.

If you have never been vaccinated for HPV or if you started the vaccine series and never finished, it’s not too late. Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center offers this vaccine series for students by appointment. Although HPV vaccines are not covered by student fees, charges can be submitted to private insurance, paid out-of-pocket at a discount or covered by financial assistance for those who qualify.

Students who began the vaccine series before age 15 need one more shot. Those who began the series at age 15 or later or who have never received an HPV vaccine will need a total of three shots.

For questions or to schedule an appointment at the UNO Health Center, call us at 402.554.2374.