African Americans overall had 19.1 percent prevalence, compared to 12.5 percent in whites. Seven percent of people with one lifetime sex partner had the infection compared to 20.1 percent of people with 50 or more lifetime sex partners. Overall, thirteen percent of the study population carried HPV-16 antibodies. However, the figure does not represent all people in the study with the infection because not all people who have been infected develop detectable antibodies. Given the health consequences of this infection, there is a tremendous need for us to better understand how to prevent HPV infection and why it either persists or is cleared up by the body's immune system, so people do not go on to develop life-threatening complications like cervical cancer.
Genital warts are extremely common, but can be treated and cured.
Subclinical HPV infection, for which there is currently no cure, is much more common than genital warts, although most infections are cleared up by the body's immune system. HPV is transmitted through sexual contact with the genital area. Because HPV can infect genital areas not covered by condoms, condoms provide incomplete protection. HPV can be prevented by abstaining from sexual activity or having sex only with an uninfected partner. CDC's STD Program provides national leadership through research, policy development, and support of effective services to prevent all sexually transmitted diseases and their complications.