About 75% of Canadians will be infected with an HPV infection during their lives. 4,400 Canadians were diagnosed with an HPV-linked cancer last year, and about 1,200 of them die from it annually.
The HPV virus is an infection that is passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 varieties of human papilloma virus, more than 40 of which are passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat.
Many HPV infections have no symptoms and can be cleared from your body within a couple of years. This makes it difficult to detect, yet incredibly simple to spread.
What can be done?
Nursing students at UNB, in collaboration with the Student Health Centre, will be hosting a resource booth to bring awareness to the HPV virus.
The booth will be held on September 25 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Ganong Hall, and September 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ward Chipman Library building, in front of Tim Hortons.
This year, there will be a vaccination clinic held on October 2 and 7. Students will be able to call the Student Health Centre or sign up at the booth to book appointments for either day.
HPV awareness week falls on October 1 – 7 this year, so do yourself a favour and make sure you are protected.
