Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 120 virus types that are restricted to infecting humans. HPV infects the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. Infection of the skin can cause cutaneous warts, while infection of the mucous membranes can cause anogenital or oropharyngeal disease, including laryngeal papillomatosis. HPV types are divided into low-risk and high-risk types based on their oncogenic potential. Low-risk HPV types are associated with the development of condyloma acuminatum (anogenital warts) and common warts, which are typically found on the hands and feet. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types has the long-term potential to cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and oropharynx. Since the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer typically remain silent until very late in the disease, routine screening for early signs of cervical dysplasia using Papanicolaou cytology of cervical scrapings (Pap smears) and/or testing for the presence of high-risk HPV types is recommended. Safe and effective HPV vaccines first became available in 2006. While their widespread use has already led to reductions in HPV-associated morbidity, improvements in vaccine coverage rates are still necessary if they are to reach their full potential. Knowledge that HPV vaccine prevents cancer and a strong provider recommendation for vaccination are the two factors most consistently associated with robust vaccine uptake.