HPV is the most common viral sexually transmitted disease in the world and it is strongly linked to cervical cancer. Risk factors for cervical cancer (and HPV infection) include early initiation of sexual activity, multiple new sexual parters, high risk partners, and a history of stds. Screening for HPV related changes can be performed with a Pap smear and starts 3 years after initiating in sexual intercourse or the age of 21, whichever comes first. The reason that immediate pap smear is not need is because cervical changes due to HPV usually do not occur until 3 to 5 years after HPV exposure.