• HPV stands for human papillomavirus.  HPV is a family of viruses that causes an infection on the skin of various areas of the body.
• Different types of HPV infection affect different areas of the body.  There are many different types of HPV viruses, only some of which affect the genital area.
• Sometimes HPV causes warts in the genital area.  These are often called genital warts, venereal warts, or condylomata.
• In some cases, genital HPV infection can lead to abnormal cells on the cervix.  If not detected and treated, it may eventually cause cervical cancer.

HOW COMMON IS HPV INFECTION?

• Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
• Three out of four people who have sex get genital HPV infection at some time in their life.

HOW DOES SOMEONE KNOW IF HE OR SHE HAS AN HPV INFECTION?

• Most people with an HPV infection have no symptoms.
• Young  women with genital HPV infection can have an abnormal pap test.
• Young women can have warts on the vulva (the outside area where your female organs are located), vagina, the cervix (opening of the uterus), and anus (the opening where bowel movements leave your body).
• Genital warts often look like flesh-colored or whitish bumps.  They can be raised or flat, small or large, single or multiple.
• Rarely in some people with warts, HPV infections cause itching, pain, or a vaginal discharge.
• Men can have warts on the penis, scrotum (the sack where the testicles are located), genital area, or anus.

HOW DOES A PERSON GET A GENITAL HPV INFECTION?

• Most genital HPV infections are sexually transmitted.
• A person can get an HPV infection from vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person, but these are not the only ways to get it.
• Any skin-to-skin contact with any affected areas can cause the infection to be spread (such as penis to vulva, penis to anus, and vulva to vulva).
• A different type of HPV causes warts on other parts of the body, such as the hands.  People do not get genital warts by touching warts on their hands or feet.

HOW LONG WILL THIS INFECTION LAST? 

• There are no medicines to make this virus go away, but a lot of times it will go away on its own in 6 to 24 months.  It is still important to see a health care provider in case treatment is needed.
• Some people with genital HPV may carry the virus forever.  This may cause no symptoms for young women but in some cases HPV infection may lead to precancerous changes on the cervix.

IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR THE INFECTION?

• Health care providers have a variety of methods for treating visible warts.
• Warts can be hard to treat and may take more than one type or course of treatment.
• Over-the counter wart medicines should not be used on genital warts.
• Genital warts can come back, even after treatment.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT AN HPV INFECTION?

• Not having direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral or anal sex is the only way to prevent the infection.
• If a person does have sex, using a condom is the best way to protect against an HPV infection.  The protection from condoms is not 100% because it can reduce the risk of HPV infection only when the infected areas are covered or protected by the condom.
• It is important to know that having sex with only one partner who only has sex with one partner also can reduce the risk of infection.

WILL A GENITAL HPV INFECTION AFFECT A PREGNANCY OR A BABY?

• HPV infections do not affect the ability to get pregnant or to have a baby.
• Rarely babies can be born with warts of the larynx (voice box) and/or genital area.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HPV AND AN ABNORMAL PAP TEST?

• HPV is the most common cause of an abnormal Pap test (a screening test for cervical cancer).
• The first Pap test should be given approximately three years after first having vaginal sexual intercourse but no later than age 21 years.
• Young women who are sexually active should see a health care provider once a year or whenever they change sexual partners.
• A doctor or other health care provider will make treatment recommendations after reviewing the results of the Pap test.

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMOKING AND HPV?

• Yes.  Smoking does not cause HPV, but it makes it more difficult for the body to fight the HPV infection.
• If a young woman smokes, it increases her risk of getting an HPV infection that leads to an abnormal Pap test because she is less able to fight the infection.  It increases her risk of getting cervical cancer by three times.
• It is always a good idea to not start smoking or make a strong effort to stop smoking.

RESOURCES

Millions of people get HPV.  For most, it does not become cancer.  It is important to know that people with HPV infection can lead a normal, healthy life.  There are resources listed below that can help.

The  resources listed below are for information purposes only.  Referral to these sources and sites does not imply the endorsement of ACOG.  These lists are not meant to be comprehensive.  The exclusion of a source or site does not reflect the quality of that source or site.  Please note that sites and URLs are subject to change without notice.

The American Social Health Association
www.ashastd.org
www.iwannaknow.org

The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
www.asccp.org

The Center for Young Women's Health
youngwomenshealth.org

Go Ask Alice!
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu

National HPV and Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign
www.cervicalcancercampaign.org

National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center (919-361-4848 - hotline)
www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc

National Women's Health Resource Center
www.healthywomen.org

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
www.sexualityandu.ca

Teenwire
www.teenwire.com