HPV (Human Papillomavirus): A Complete Guide
Symptoms, how it spreads, testing, prevention and treatment
- HPV is a common infection, and in most people it goes away without causing any problems.
- A positive HPV result (HPV was found) does not mean genital warts or cancer.
Find your starting point:
- If you want to look into symptoms, or understand the tests and what your result means, start with the HPV diagnosis page.
- If your HPV test came back positive, continue to the HPV treatment page.
- To learn about the vaccine and ways to lower the risk of passing HPV on, see the HPV prevention page.
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HPV basics: symptoms and who can get it
What is HPV?
HPV is a contagious virus that spreads mainly through genital skin-to-skin contact. HPV is very common, and in most people the immune system brings it under control.
More than 200 types of HPV have been identified so far. Of these, about 12 to 14 are classed as high-risk types (types that can cause cell changes).
Who can get HPV?
Anyone who has sexual contact, woman or man, can get HPV, even if they have had only one sexual partner. A person with HPV may have no symptoms at all and not know they have the infection.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
HPV often causes no symptoms and may go away on its own. Sometimes it causes warts. When the infection causes no symptoms, some people find out they have it through testing.
HPV, genital warts and cervical cancer: what is the difference?
HPV is the name of the virus. Genital warts are usually caused by its low-risk types, and they are not cancerous.
Cervical cancer can develop when high-risk types stay in the body for a long time and cell changes progress. Even so, most HPV infections do not lead to cancer. A positive HPV test on its own does not mean warts or cancer.
High-risk types can also be linked to cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis and the middle part of the throat (oropharynx).
How HPV spreads, and common myths
Main routes of transmission
- Skin contact during sex, including vaginal, anal or oral sex
- Genital skin-to-skin contact, even without full penetration
- In rare cases, from mother to baby during childbirth
Myths about how HPV spreads
- Swimming pool and hot tub water
- Public toilet seats
- Shared towels, clothes or dishes
- Shaking hands and hugging
Choosing the best path for your situation
Your HPV test came back positive
A positive HPV result (HPV was found) does not mean cancer, and many infections go away within 1 to 2 years.
Whether you need a repeat test or a colposcopy depends on the HPV type, the result of your Pap test (Pap smear; in the UK, a smear test) and your medical history.
Having HPV is not a sign that you did something wrong or that you are to blame.
HPV type on your result: low-risk or high-risk?
Low-risk (such as 6 and 11): these types can cause genital warts and are not considered cancer-causing.
High-risk (such as 16 or 18): these two types carry the highest risk, and a positive result for them leads directly to further checks. Even so, a positive result does not mean cancer.
A positive result for high-risk HPV does not, on its own, mean cancer. It means follow-up is needed, tailored to your test results and medical history.
Which test is right for checking HPV?
Blood tests and routine premarital tests do not detect HPV.
A Pap test looks for cell changes. A normal Pap test result does not prove that you do not have HPV.
If you have never had vaginal sex: depending on your situation, a sample may be taken from a lesion (an abnormal-looking area) or with a less invasive method. Your doctor will choose the right method for you.
For men: routine HPV testing is not recommended for general screening. If there is a lesion or a symptom, an examination is done, followed by further tests if needed.
A bump or wart in the genital area
Not every bump in the genital area is a wart. Pearly papules, molluscum, skin tags or pimples can be mistaken for warts. To get the right diagnosis and choose the right treatment, the bump should be examined by a doctor.
Persistent HPV or cervical cell changes
A persistent high-risk infection needs regular follow-up.
If needed, a colposcopy and biopsy are done for a closer look. Having these tests does not cause the lesion to progress.
Deciding about the HPV vaccine
The vaccine does not treat an existing infection, but it may protect you against some HPV types you have not yet been infected with.
Your vaccination schedule depends on your age, vaccine history and immune status.
Get the vaccine from a reputable centre, so it has been stored correctly.
Frequently asked questions about HPV
In most cases the body brings HPV under control, and there is no medicine that directly destroys the virus.
More than 90% of new HPV infections become undetectable within 2 years.
When a test turns negative (HPV is no longer found), this does not always mean the virus has completely left the body.
Having HPV does not, on its own, mean that anyone has been unfaithful. The virus is very common.
HPV on its own is not a barrier to marriage or a healthy relationship. Being well informed and having medical follow-up can help you make decisions.
Passing HPV to the baby during childbirth is rare. The HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. If you become pregnant partway through the vaccine series, the remaining doses are usually postponed until after the pregnancy.
Ozone therapy has not been shown to work for HPV infection. There is also not enough reliable evidence that plasma therapy, ganoderma (reishi mushroom) or herbal remedies clear HPV. These methods should not replace medical follow-up and the treatment of lesions.
A balanced diet matters for your overall health, but cutting out sugar completely will not, on its own, rid your body of HPV.
No. HPV and HIV are two different viruses. HPV often goes away, and it does not follow the same course as HIV.
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