Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a group of viruses that infect the skin. Certain types of HPV cause warts on the hands or feet, and other types can cause warts on the genitals. Some types of genital HPV may cause genital warts, while other types of genital HPV are linked to abnormal cell changes on the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer.
HPV is spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has an infection. HPV can infect anyone who has ever had a sexual encounter. HPV is very common, and nearly all sexually active people will contract it at some point in their lives.
HPV can be contracted from one partner, remain dormant (or “asleep”), and then later be unknowingly transmitted to another sexual partner, including a spouse.
In most cases, the virus is harmless and most people have no symptoms. The body clears most HPV infections naturally. But certain HPV types can lead to cancer. In the case of cervical cancer, regular screening can catch any abnormal cell changes caused by HPV that can be treated before they lead to cancer.
The most serious health problem related to HPV is cancer. There are more than 36,000 cases of HPV-related each year in the U.S. HPV-associated cancers include cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and oropharynx (back of the mouth/throat).
The one HPV-related cancer that is preventable with regular screening is cervical cancer. In most cases cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and treatment of abnormal cell changes that occur in the cervix years before cervical cancer develops.
The traditional test for early detection has been the Pap test. For women age 30 and over, an HPV test is also recommended. HPV tests can find any of the high-risk types of HPV that are commonly found in cervical cancer.
Current guidelines for cervical cancer screening are:
If a woman tests positive for HPV, the next steps will vary based on things like past test results and treatments as well as age. These may include:
It is essential to follow up with a health care provider to see what steps are recommended.
The best way to prevent HPV is with the HPV vaccine. In the U.S., HPV infections are estimated to cause about 37,300 cases of cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent over 90% of these cancers from ever developing.
For people with a cervix, regular screening with Pap and HPV tests can also help identify HPV infection and any abnormal cell changes caused by HPV before they turn into cancer.
Since HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact and not through the exchange of bodily fluids, condoms can reduce–but not totally eliminate–the risk of HPV transmission.
