Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are a group of common infections. It can affect the skin and the moist lining inside parts of the body (mucous membranes). The virus is most common inside the mouth, throat, genital area and anus.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some can cause warts and verrucas. Others increase the risk of developing different type of cancer. These types are called high-risk HPV.

Most people will have HPV at some point in their life. Usually, the virus does not cause any damage and there are no symptoms. Most people do not know they have it.

HPV spreads from person to person on the skin during sex. The virus can live on the skin around the whole genital area. 

It passes easily from person to person during any type of sexual contact, including skin-to-skin genital contact, or sharing sex toys. 

Using a condom or other barrier contraception may reduce your risk of HPV infection, but it does not offer complete protection.

HPV can affect all sexual orientations and anyone who has ever been sexually active. This includes if you:

• have had one sexual partner or more
• are in a long-term relationship with only one person.

Your risk of having HPV may be higher if you:

• started having sex at a younger age
• have had a lot of sexual partners
• have HIV.

We do not know everything about how HPV spreads. Although it is shared easily between sexual partners, there may be other ways of spreading the virus too. It is also thought that the virus sometimes stays inactive in the body. This may be for weeks, months or years after infection. This may mean it can become active again years after you have it.

Some infections that are passed on during sex can be linked to one sexual partner. But HPV is very common and easily passed between partners. We also do not know all the ways that HPV can spread. It is not possible to know exactly how or when a person got HPV.

Having HPV does not show who you have had sex with, or what type of sexual contact you have had. Even couples in a long-term relationship can be affected by HPV. Having HPV is not a sign that partners have had sex with someone outside the relationship.

It is thought that HPV takes years, or even decades, to cause the damage to cells that develop into cancer. Infection with HPV is likely to happen many years before cancer is diagnosed.

If you have HPV or an HPV-related cancer, you may worry that a partner’s health has been affected by HPV too. This is very unlikely.

HPV is a common infection and easily spread during sexual contact. Your partner has probably already been exposed to the virus. Their immune system is likely to have got rid of any infection already. This will protect them from the damaging effects of HPV. Changing your sex life is not likely to reduce your partner’s risk of HPV.

Partners of people affected by an HPV-related cancer rarely develop an HPV-related cancer themselves.

Partners should still take part in any screening they are offered. This can include:

• Cervical screening
  This is for anyone who has a cervix. It is important even if you have had the HPV vaccination. People who have a cervix include women, trans men and non-binary people born with a cervix. We have more information about having cervical screening.
• Anal cancer screening
  This is sometimes offered to people who have a higher risk of developing anal cancer. If you or your partner are worried about your risk of anal ask your GP, local sexual health clinic or HIV clinic for advice.

To test for high-risk HPV, a sample of cells is collected from the affected area of the body. The sample is then sent to a laboratory and checked for signs of HPV.

HPV testing is used:

• during cervical screening, to find abnormal cell changes that are more likely to develop into cervical cancer
• after treatment for abnormal cells of the cervix, to check that treatment has been successful
• during diagnosis of some types of head and neck cancer, to help plan treatment.

HPV testing is sometimes used as part of anal cancer screening. This means using tests to find abnormal cell changes that are more likely to develop into anal cancer. 

Anal cancer screening is sometimes offered to people who have a higher risk of developing anal cancer, such as:

• men who have sex with men
• people with HIV.

We do not know yet whether anal cancer screening is effective at preventing anal cancer. These tests are not widely available in the UK. Your GP, local sexual health or HIV clinic can give you more information.

Finding out you are affected by high-risk HPV can be stressful and difficult to cope with.

You may feel frustrated that there is no treatment to get rid of the infection. Or angry if it has caused cancer. Some people feel ashamed or embarrassed because HPV infection is related to sex.

It is natural to have mixed emotions, including feeling uncertain or lonely. You may have questions or worry what others will think. There are not always clear answers, but ask your GP, cancer doctor or nurse for more information if there is something you do not understand.

Everyone has their own way of coping with difficult situations. You may want to talk about it with:

• someone you know well
• someone outside your family and friends
• people online who are in a similar situation – our Online Community offers this kind of support
• one of our cancer support specialists by calling 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm).