Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses, each of which is given a number, which is called an HPV type. HPV is passed on through intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. Anyone who is having (or has ever had) vaginal, anal, or oral sex can get HPV. HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. This means that it is possible to have HPV without knowing it.
What is HPV?
HPV is short for human papillomavirus. It is a very common virus. HPV can infect cells on the surface of the skin. Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own. But sometimes, HPV infections last longer. When they do, they can cause certain cancers and other diseases. HPV causes most cervical cancers and some cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx (back of the throat including the base of the tongue and tonsils).
There are many types of HPV. Most types are harmless and go away on their own. But some types can lead to cancer or genital warts. Genital warts are caused by different HPV types than the ones that cause cancer. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause cancers.
HPV is usually spread through sexual contact. More than 79 million Americans are currently infected with some type of HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.
Who is most at risk for HPV?
Anyone who is having (or has ever had) any kind of sexual activity that involves genital contact is at risk for HPV. Both males and females can get it – and pass it on to their sex partners without even realizing it.
But certain people are more likely to develop health problems linked to HPV, including:
- Women younger than 25 years – Their cervixes are still developing, so they are more at risk for cervical cell changes.
- Men younger than 25 years – They are less likely to clear an HPV infection than older men.
- Older people with weakened immune systems – Their bodies have a harder time fighting off HPV.
- Men who have sex with men – The anus is more vulnerable to HPV-related diseases than the cervix.
Why is HPV common?
There are a few reasons why HPV is so common:
- HPV can be easily passed on during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.
- Many people don’t have symptoms and can spread HPV without knowing it.
- Condoms and barriers like dental dams reduce the risk of getting HPV, but HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom or barrier.
- Most sexually active people have HPV at some point. At least 80% of sexually active people get HPV at some point in their life.
How do people get HPV?
HPV is passed on through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.
It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed on between straight and same-sex partners—even when the infected partner has no signs or symptoms.
A person can have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sex. Most infected persons do not realize they are infected or that they are passing HPV on to a sex partner. It is also possible to get more than one type of HPV.
Rarely, a pregnant person can pass HPV to her baby during vaginal delivery. Very rarely, HPV may be spread by skin-to-skin genital contact.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems. But sometimes, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts in males and females. Other HPV types can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx (back of the throat including base of tongue and tonsils).
The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause cancer. However, if you have warts and are weakened immune system, you may be at higher risk for cervical cancer.
Signs and symptoms of HPV-related problems:
- Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. Healthcare providers can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
- Cervical cell changes (abnormal Pap tests) generally do not have symptoms. But they may need to be treated because they can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.
- Cancers may not have signs or symptoms until they are quite advanced. For example, early cervical cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms but can be detected with regular Pap tests (cervical screening or cytology). Advanced cervical cancer can cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, or pain during sex.
How common is HPV?
HPV (the virus): About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.
Health problems related to HPV include genital warts and cervical cancer. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection.
Some key HPV infection statistics:
- Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year.
- About 1 in 4 people in the U.S. are currently infected.
- About 1 in 2 sexually active men and women will get HPV at some point in their lives.
- Every year in the United States, HPV causes 33,700 cancers in men and women.
- HPV is responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, about 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and more than 60% of penile cancers.
- Most sexually active people (about 80%) will get an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime.
Although HPV is incredibly common, most infections will clear from the body without causing health complications. However, sometimes HPV infections will persist and lead to cancer. When cancer does occur, HPV DNA is frequently found in these cancer cells.
Who should get vaccinated against HPV?
HPV vaccination is recommended for adolescents ages 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9. It is also recommended for everyone through age 26, if not vaccinated already. The vaccine is given in a 2 or 3-dose series, depending on age. The best way to prevent HPV infection is through vaccination.
The CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years for both boys and girls. But vaccination can start as early as age 9. HPV vaccination is a 2 dose series for all boys and girls who begin the vaccination series before the 15th birthday. Three doses are still recommended for those starting the series on or after the 15th birthday, and for people with weakened immune systems.
HPV vaccination is also recommended for females through age 26 and for males through age 21, if they were not previously vaccinated. Vaccination of males through age 26 is also recommended for men who have sex with men and transgender people. HPV vaccination can prevent new HPV infections but does not treat existing HPV infections or diseases.
Is HPV the same thing as HIV or herpes?
HPV is NOT the same as HIV or herpes (HSV). They are viruses with different symptoms and modes of transmission:
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) depletes important cells that help the body fight off infections and disease. HIV is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids.
- Herpes refers to two different but similar viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 causes cold sores while HSV-2 causes genital herpes. Both are transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or sores.
- HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. There are many types of HPV that can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. Nearly all sexually active adults will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.
While HPV can be spread by genital contact during sexual activity, HIV and HSV do not always require sex to spread. So HPV is not the same as HIV or HSV. However, having HIV or HSV may increase your risk of getting HPV.
Can people die from HPV?
Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like cancers and genital warts.
HPV can cause cervical and other cancers. When left untreated, these HPV-related cancers can eventually be fatal. Around 12,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and about 4,000 women die from it.
Cancers caused by HPV include:
- Cervical cancer
- Oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the middle of the throat, including the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils)
- Anal cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Penile cancer
- Vulvar cancer
HPV itself is not deadly. However, HPV can lead to cancer if it stays in the body for many years. Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer that can be fatal when not detected and treated early.
Conclusion
HPV is extremely common, with an estimated 79 million Americans currently infected. It spreads easily through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most sexually active adults will get HPV at some point. While 9 in 10 HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away within two years, some HPV types can lead to cancer and genital warts.
Although many people who get HPV never develop health issues from it, screening and vaccination are important to prevent cancers caused by HPV. Routine cervical cancer screening with Pap and HPV tests has helped decrease death rates significantly by detecting precancerous changes. HPV vaccination helps prevent new HPV infections that could lead to cancer down the road.
To lower risk of getting HPV, get vaccinated, use condoms, limit number of sex partners, and choose sexual activities with lower risk for getting HPV. Even without having sex, you can have HPV, since it can be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.