Our president apparently does not know the difference between the sexually transmitted diseases HPV and HIV, but I’m not here to judge. As you probably remember from sex ed class, if you think you have a stupid question, you should ask it anyway because you’re probably not the only one.
HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is famous for being the virus that causes AIDS. It’s sexually transmitted, and can damage your immune system, although there are drugs that can keep the virus in check. HIV affects millions of people globally, including 4 percent of Africans. (Bill Gates, who explained the difference between these viruses to our president, runs a foundation that provides HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.) According to the CDC, 1.1 million Americans have HPV but one in seven don’t know it. Fortunately, HIV testing is covered cost-free by ACA compliant insurance plans. HPV is the human papillomavirus, best known for causing cervical cancer. If you’ve got a cervix and you go in for a pap smear every couple of years, your gynecologist is looking for signs of infection from this virus. HPV can also be sexually transmitted and is so common that most of us get it at some point (and usually have no idea). Because it occasionally causes cancer, it makes sense for everyone to get the vaccine before they become sexually active. The vaccine is recommended for preteens of all genders and can also be given to young adults.Both diseases are worth knowing about, and both can be devastating if untreated. But they are very, very different things.
