What is HPV (human papillomavirus)?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common virus that can cause genital warts or lead to cancer. It’s typically spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually shows no symptoms, and usually goes away by itself.

There are many types of HPV - some cause genital warts and do not cause cancer, while other types can cause serious illness including cancer.

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV is primarily transmitted through intimate genital skin-to-skin contact, affecting both men and women. It is not spread through semen, blood, or saliva.

While condoms can reduce the risk, they do not fully protect against HPV, as they do not cover all genital skin. You can contract HPV even if you are sexually active for the first time or have only one sexual partner.

HPV symptoms

In many cases, HPV infections do not cause noticeable symptoms and often go away on their own. However, they can result in:

  • Genital warts which appear as small bumps or growths on the genital, anal, or mouth areas.
  • Throat warts called oral HPV.
  • Pre-cancerous changes in cervical cells (in high-risk types of HPV), which may not cause any immediate symptoms but can be detected through screenings.

In some cases, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to cancers (such as cervical, anal, or oropharyngeal cancer), but these cancers typically don’t cause symptoms until they are more advanced.

What can I do to reduce my risk of HPV?

While HPV is a common infection, there are several effective ways to reduce your risk of contracting it. By taking proactive steps, you can help protect yourself and others.

HPV vaccination The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV infection and the cancers it can cause.

The vaccine used in Australia is called Gardasil®9. It is offered to all Australian children aged about 12 to 13 through the school-based National Immunisation Program. The HPV vaccine is recommended for all people living in Australia aged 9 to 25 and is free for Australians aged 12 to 25 years of age.

Safe sex practices

Using condoms consistently and correctly can reduce the risk of HPV transmission, but it is not foolproof.

Regular screenings

Regular cervical cancer screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment.

Currently, there is no cure for HPV itself. However, in most cases, the body’s immune system can clear the infection on its own within one to two years without causing any long-term health problems.

Men can get cancer from HPV

Men can develop cancer as a result of an HPV infection, although the risk is lower compared to women. High-risk types of HPV can lead to several types of cancer in men, including penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer.

While HPV-related cancers in men are less common, they can be serious, making vaccination and regular screenings (such as for anal cancer in at-risk populations) important for prevention and early detection