What HPV is
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common virus that infects the skin and moist membranes, including the cervix, vagina and genital area. There are many types — some cause genital warts, and a small number of 'high-risk' types can, over many years, lead to cervical and some other cancers.
HPV is so common that most sexually active people will have it at some point in their lives. Having it is not a reflection of your hygiene or behaviour — it's simply very widespread.
How you get it
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal and oral sex — it doesn't need penetration or ejaculation to pass on. Because it's so common and often has no symptoms, you can have it without knowing, and it can be passed on unknowingly, sometimes years after you first acquired it.
This is why HPV can appear in a long-term, monogamous relationship — it doesn't mean anyone has been unfaithful. It can lie dormant and only show up on a screening test much later.
Symptoms and why screening matters
Most HPV infections cause no symptoms at all and clear on their own within a year or two, as the immune system deals with the virus. Some types cause genital warts. The high-risk types usually cause no symptoms but can slowly cause changes to cervical cells — which is exactly what the Cervical Screening Test looks for.
The good news: HPV vaccination and regular cervical screening make cervical cancer highly preventable. If you're due for screening, or have questions about HPV or a result you've received, a telehealth consult is a private way to talk it through and arrange your test.
References & sources
- 1.Cervical screening test — healthdirect
- 2.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine — healthdirect
- 3.Cervical cancer — healthdirect
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
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