What you need to know

Human papillomavirus basics

What is human papillomavirus (HPV) and how do I get it?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. You can get infected even if your partner does not have signs or symptoms. HPV can also be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

There are over 200 types of HPV. Most types do not cause any health problems. Some types can cause genital warts or cancer. Nearly everyone who is not vaccinated will get HPV at some point in their lives.​​

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Most people who become infected will not have symptoms. Usually the infection goes away on its own. If the infection does not go away, it could lead to:

• Genital warts

• Precancerous cells (abnormal cells that can lead to cancer)

• Cancer of the mouth, throat, cervix, anus, vulva, penis, or vagina​
  
  

How do I avoid getting HPV?

The best way to avoid infection is to get a vaccine.

Although there is no cure for HPV, there is a safe and effective vaccine available. It prevents over 90% of cancers and 99% of genital warts caused by HPV.

HPV vaccines work best when given at age 11-12 years. Vaccination can be started at age 9.

• For anyone younger than 15 years: Two doses of the vaccine are required. One shot followed by a second shot 6-12 months later.
• For anyone ages 15 and older: A full three-dose series is needed. Three shots are given over 6 months.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. Common side effects from HPV shots are mild and get better within a day or two. 

Find a Vaccine​

Get screening

There is no routine test to find out a person’s HPV status. There are tests to help screen for cervical cancer. Learn more about cervical cancer screening. No other HPV cancers (mouth/throat, vulva, vagina) are routinely screened for.​

Who is most impacted by HPV?

People with weakened immune systems, like people with HIV/AIDS, may not be able to fight HPV. They are more likely to develop health problems caused by HPV.
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What if I get HPV?

Most types of HPV are low risk. Most types do not cause any health problems. Some types may cause mild infections, like genital warts. Some types of HPV are high risk and can cause cancer. There is no cure for HPV.

Treatment

There is treatment available for infections caused by HPV.

• Genital warts can go away with treatment from your health care provider or with prescription medicine. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.

• Cervical precancer or cancer treatment is available. People with a cervix who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can find problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment. For more information visit the American Cancer Society website​. 
  

The treatment for cervical precancer or cancer can affect a person’s reproductive system. Treatment may:

• Limit the ability to have children due to hysterectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation

• Make it difficult to carry a pregnancy to term

• Cause premature delivery
  

Getting the HPV vaccine prevents cancers before the develop. ​

Find a Vaccine​

Resources for everyone

• Anal Cancer Foundation

• Cervical Cancer Basics (CDC)
  

• HPV Basics (English)
  

• HPV Basics (Spanish)
  

• HPV and Cancer: Questions and Answers

• HPV and Cancer (CDC)

• HPV Vaccine Information Statement (PDF)

• HPV Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know

• HPV Vaccine Guide for Adults Aged 18-26 years (PDF) 
  

• HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens (PDF) (English)
  

• HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens (PDF)​ (Spanish)
  

• HPV Vaccine Fotonovela “An Ounce of Prevention” (English and Spanish) (PDF)

• HPV: A parent’s guide to preteen and teen HPV vaccination (PDF) (English) 

• HPV: A parent’s guide to preteen and teen HPV vaccination (PDF) (Spanish)​
  

• ShotbyShot.org - Real-Life Stories and PSAs​

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