Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. HPV can cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and other cancers, including anal, vaginal, vulva, penis, and head and throat cancers.

It is passed from one person to another through any skin-to-skin sexual contact below the waistline with fingers, mouths, shared sex toys, or other body parts, even without penetration. Most sexually active people will have at least one HPV infection at some point. Most HPV infections go away within two years without a person knowing they have it.

There are more than 100 types of HPV and most of them are harmless and cause no symptoms. Approximately 40 types of HPV can infect the genital region and about 13 to 15 of them are considered "high-risk" HPV types, which cause 99.7% of cervical cancer. High-risk HPV infections can lead to changes in the cells of the cervix. When high-risk HPV does not go away, it usually takes 10 to 20 years for infected cells to develop into cancer. Having a high-risk HPV infection does not mean a person has or will develop cancer. A high-risk HPV infection may lead to cancer if it has gone many years without being detected or treated.

Who can get HPV?

The short answer is that most sexually active people will have an HPV infection at least once in their lifetime.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. If you have had any sexual contact in your life with even with just one partner, there is a chance you had contact with HPV.

How do you get HPV?

HPV is passed from one person to another through any skin-to-skin sexual contact below the waistline with fingers, mouths, shared sex toys, or other body parts, even without penetration.

How does HPV cause cervical cancer?

HPV types are divided into "low-risk" and "high-risk" types. Some low-risk types can cause warts, while some high-risk types can cause cell changes that may lead to cancer.

Having a high-risk HPV infection does not mean you have or will develop cervical cancer. Most HPV infections go away on their own within two years without a person ever knowing they had it. If your body does not clear the infection, high-risk HPV can cause changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can progress over the years from precancerous cell changes into cervical cancer, if left undetected and untreated.

High-risk HPV infection is related to:

  • 99.7% of cervical cancers
  • Up to 90% of anal cancers
  • 40% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
  • Up to 50% of penile cancers
  • Up to 35% of mouth and throat cancers

Regular cervical cancer screening is the best way to find abnormal cell changes in the cervix and treat them before they become cancerous. 

Being HPV Positive

Learning that you are HPV positive can lead to a variety of feelings and raise a number of questions. First and foremost, it's important to realize that being HPV positive is nothing to be ashamed of and does not mean you have or will develop cervical cancer. 

What Happens Next?

1. See your health-care provider.

It is important to follow up with your health-care provider, who will refer you to a specialist for a colposcopy.

2. Go for a colposcopy.

A colposcopy is where a specialist examines your cervix more closely.

3. Follow up with your provider.

Discuss your colposcopy results with your health-care provider. They will explain the next steps for your care, if you need other treatment, and when you should go for your cervical screening again.

Can HPV be treated or cured?

There is currently no cure or treatment for HPV infections. Most HPV infections will go away on their own, especially in younger people. What can be treated are the signs of a HPV infection, such as warts or cervical cell changes caused by HPV.

Cervical cell changes can be treated during a colposcopy or other procedure. 

Contact

Contact your local public health office to find out if you are eligible for the HPV vaccine at no cost.

HPV Vaccine

Additional Resources