Health experts estimate that there are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. According to the American Social Health Association, approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year, though 6.2 million new infections are estimated to occur. At least 20 million people in the United States are already infected -- most of them may not even know it.

 

At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have been infected with genital HPV infection.