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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that 8 in 10 people will get. It usually goes away without causing any problems.
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What is HPV?
HPV is the name of a common virus. It infects the skin and any moist membrane (mucosa), such as:
- the cervix
- the lining of the mouth and throat
- the vagina, vulva and anus (back passage).
HPV is usually passed on through sexual contact, which can make some people feel worried or embarrassed. But it is nothing to be ashamed of. Because HPV lives on our skin, it is easy to get and difficult to completely protect against. At some point during our lives, 8 in 10 men and women will get HPV. In most cases, your immune system will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems.
Read about how HPV is passed on >
Types of HPV
We know of over 200 types of HPV. Each type has a number and different types affect different parts of the body.
HPV types are usually split into:
- low-risk HPV
- high-risk HPV
Low-risk HPV may not cause any problems or cause minor conditions like warts on your hands and feet, and genital warts. Most HPV types are low risk.
High-risk HPV is linked to some cancers. It is important to remember that if you have any type of HPV, including high-risk HPV, your body will usually get rid of it without any problems.
Genital HPV
About 40 HPV types affect the genital areas of men and women, including the:
- cervix
- anus
- vagina
- skin of the penis
- vulva and perennial skin (area outside the vagina, including the labia and the area between the opening of the vagina and anus).
HPV and cancer
About 13 HPV types are linked to cancer. These types are called high-risk HPV.
Having high-risk HPV does not mean you will get cancer. Like other HPV types, in most people high-risk HPV goes away without causing any problems.
Read more about HPV and cervical cancer >
Read more about other HPV-related cancers >
HPV symptoms
HPV has no symptoms, which means that many people may have had HPV without knowing. This can sound worrying, but remember that HPV usually goes away by itself, without causing any problems.
In England, Scotland and Wales, cervical screening (a smear test) now tests for high-risk HPV first, so anyone who has it can get the right care. Northern Ireland will be switching to this test in the future.
Read about HPV primary screening >
HPV treatment
There is no treatment for HPV itself. But there are treatments for conditions caused by HPV, including genital warts, cervical cell changes and cancer.
Read about cervical cell changes >
