What You Need to Know About the HPV Vaccine

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV and cervical cancer.

During January, the National Cervical Cancer Coalition and its many chapters across the country highlight issues related to cervical cancer, the importance of early detection and the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

HPV is a very common infection and a major cause of cervical cancer. About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, according to 2013 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics. About 14 million people become newly infected each year.

HPV is so common that most sexually active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives, according to the CDC.

We stopped by Baylor Scott and White Clinic in Cedar Park to talk to an expert about ways to protect yourself from this virus. Check out the video for the full story.