We all want to protect ourselves and each other from infections like HPV, the human papillomavirus. Learning more about HPV is an important first step.
Here are some of the most common questions we hear people ask about HPV. We hope you find the answers helpful, whether you think you may have HPV, have been diagnosed with it, or are just curious about it.
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some types produce warts — plantar warts on the feet and common hand warts. About 40 types of HPV can infect the genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum.
Genital HPV infections are very common. HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives, but most people who have HPV don't know it.
Although most HPV infections go away within two years, some will not. HPV infections that do not go away can "hide" in the body for years and not be detected. That's why it is impossible to know exactly when someone got infected, how long they've been infected, or who passed the infection to them.
If you have HPV, you should not be ashamed or afraid. Most people who have had sex have HPV at some point in their lives. And most infections go away on their own.
Yes, high-risk types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat. The type of cancer HPV causes most often is cervical cancer.
Most HPV infections go away by themselves and don't cause cancer. But abnormal cells can develop when high-risk types of HPV don't go away. If these abnormal cells are not detected and treated, they can lead to cancer.
Most of us recover from HPV infections with no health problems at all. It is not fully known why some people develop long-term HPV infection, precancerous abnormal cell changes, or cancer. But we do know that women who have diseases that make it difficult for them to fight infections are at higher risk of cervical cancer. We also know that cigarette smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer.
There aren't any HPV symptoms for high-risk types of HPV. Most people feel fine even when they have cell changes caused by HPV.
Because HPV is such a common infection that usually goes away on its own, there is often no reason for you to even worry about whether you have it. Most people never know when they have HPV.
If a woman does find out she has HPV, she usually finds out as a result of having an abnormal Pap test result. Pap tests are very important tests for finding abnormal cells on the cervix that are caused by HPV.
There is an HPV test for women, but it is only used in certain situations. Health care providers may recommend the HPV test
HPV testing is not recommended for all women because HPV is very common and usually goes away without causing any health problems. For women age 30 or older, a test for HPV can be done at the same time as a Pap test. If both results are normal, a woman has a very low risk of developing cervical cancer. She will not need a Pap and HPV test for three years. Some women age 30 or older see this choice as more appealing than having a Pap test each year.
Finds
Pap Test
abnormal cell changes
HPV Test
the virus that causes the abnormal cell changes
There is currently no HPV test for men but men can be reassured by the fact that HPV almost always goes away without causing any problems.
There is currently no HPV treatment to cure HPV itself. Most HPV infections are harmless, do not require treatment, and go away by themselves. Treatment is available for the abnormal cell changes in the cervix that are caused by HPV. Common treatments include colposcopy, cryotherapy, and LEEP.
Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, health departments, and private health care providers can provide testing or help you get treatment for abnormal cell growth in the cervix.
People get HPV from another person during sexual activity. Most of the time people get HPV from having vaginal and/or anal sex. Individuals can also get HPV from having oral and other sex play. A person can get HPV even if their partner (straight or same-sex) doesn’t have any signs or symptoms of HPV infection. A person can have HPV even if years have passed since they had sexual contact with an infected person. Most people do not realize they are infected. They also don’t know that they may be passing HPV to their sex partner(s). It is also possible for someone to get more than one type of HPV.
Yes, the HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by HPV.
HPV vaccination provides the most benefit when given before a person is exposed to any HPV. That’s why CDC recommends HPV vaccination at ages 11-12. HPV vaccination is also recommended through age 26 for everyone, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger.
Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults ages 27 through 45 years may decide to get the HPV vaccine based on discussion with their clinician, if they did not get adequately vaccinated when they were younger. HPV vaccination of people in this age range provides less benefit, as more have been already exposed to HPV.
For adults aged 27 years and older, clinicians can consider discussing HPV vaccination with people who are most likely to benefit. HPV vaccination does not need to be discussed with most adults over age 26 years.
You can get the HPV vaccine at your local PPHP health center.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fact Sheet on HPV and Men