Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. About 80 million people in the U.S. have HPV infection and nearly half of infections occur in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. HPV infection can cause genital warts and can eventually lead to cancer.

Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV. Most sexually active people who are not vaccinated get HPV infection at some point in their lives, even if they only have one sexual partner.

HPV is spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex and can also be spread through genital-to-genital contact.

You can spread HPV even if you do not have symptoms.

Symptoms

Most people with HPV infection do not show symptoms. Some people with the infection may develop genital warts.

Cancer that results from HPV infections can take years to develop, and you may not experience symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Some HPV-associated pre-cancers can be detected through routine cervical and anal Pap tests. If left untreated, these pre-cancers can advance to cancer.

Cancers of the head, neck and throat (oropharynx) are the most common HPV-associated cancers in the U.S. Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer among women and people with a cervix.

Other HPV-associated cancers include:

• Anal
• Oropharyngeal (back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils)
• Vulvar
• Vaginal
• Penile

Treatment

There is no treatment for HPV. Nine out of every 10 infections will clear on their own within two years. It is not possible to know which infections will persist and go on to cause further health problems, such as genital warts or cancer.

Genital warts can be removed with prescribed medications. Some warts also disappear on their own.

HPV-related cancers are most treatable when they are diagnosed and treated early. Starting at age 21, women and people with a cervix should have routine cervical Pap testing. Certain people at higher risk for anal cancer, including men who have sex with men, may need routine anal Pap tests. Talk with your primary care provider about your risk and whether you should get tested.

Prevention

The best way to prevent HPV is with a vaccine. Condoms and dental dams can lower the chance of spreading HPV, but HPV can still infect areas not covered by the condom or dental dam.

The HPV vaccine protects against nine types of HPV, including the types that cause most cervical cancers. The vaccine is up to 99% effective in preventing cervical, vaginal and vulvar abnormalities, which can develop into cancer if left untreated. The vaccine also protects against most genital warts and anal cancers. Women and people with a cervix who receive the vaccine are less likely to have abnormal Pap tests, cervical pre-cancer and genital warts.

The vaccine works best on people who have not been exposed to HPV. If you are sexually active and may have been exposed to HPV, the vaccine can still be effective. The vaccine protects against several types of HPV, and it is likely you may not have been exposed to one of those types of the virus.

Most HPV infections are acquired in adolescence and young adulthood. However, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for acquiring a new HPV infection. Adults who are at risk of acquiring a new HPV infection should talk to their health care provider about the vaccine.

HPV Vaccine