Most HPV infections go away by themselves, but some can cause cervical cancer as well as oropharyngeal cancer, among other types. HPV genotypes refer to the specific strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The most notable high-risk genotypes are HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancer cases and are among the genotypes that the HPV vaccine protects against. HPV vaccine manufacturer Merck has announced it is researching an increase in the number of HPV genotypes covered by the vaccine, prompted by the research findings. Mississippi has an HPV-related cancer rate that is among the worst in the country.