genital HT H e 

P

Fa c

V

T s 

Protect Yourself + Protect Your Partner 
Protect Yourself + Protect Your Partner 

The facTs 

•

•	

•	

•

Genital human papillomavirus (/pap pil LO ma VY rus/)

(HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in

the United States. At least 50% of sexually active people

will have genital HPV at some time in their lives.

Most people who have genital HPV don’t know they have

it. There are often no symptoms, and it goes away on its

own—without causing any serious health problems.

HPV is passed on through genital contact (such as

vaginal and anal sex). You can pass HPV to others

without knowing it.

There is no cure for HPV, but there are treatments for the

health problems that some types of HPV can cause, like

genital warts and cervical cancer.
•	

•

•	

• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not

prevent any sexually transmitted disease.

• Females and males can get vaccinated to protect against the

types of HPV that most commonly cause health problems. These

vaccines are given in 3 doses over 6 months. The vaccines are 

most effective when all doses are received before a person has 

sexual contact with his or her first partner. 

Protect Yourself + Protect Your Partner 

h o w c a n I l o w e r m y r I s k f o r h P V ? 

The surest way to prevent HPV is not to have sex.

If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number of partners you have.

The fewer sex partners you have, the less likely you will be to get HPV.

Condoms may lower chances of getting HPV, genital warts, or

cervical cancer if used the right way every time you have sex.

However, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom—

so you should not expect condoms to fully protect against HPV.

How does someone get HPV? 

Anyone who has ever had genital contact 

with another person can have genital HPV. 

Both men and women can get it—and pass it 

on—without even realizing it. 
What are the health effects of HPV? 

Genital HPV does not cause health 

problems for most people. 

There are many types of HPV. All 

HPV infections are either lowrisk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV 

infections can cause genital warts. 

The warts are usually painless 

and not a serious problem. They 

can be flat or raised, single or 

in groups, and small or large. 

Without treatment, the warts may 

grow in size and number, or they 

may go away on their own. 

Women with HPV might have 

warts on the vagina, vulva, or 

cervix. Men with HPV might have 

warts on the penis, scrotum, or 

groin. Both men and women can 

have genital warts on the anus 

or thigh. 

High-risk HPV infections can 

sometimes develop into cancer 

of the cervix (the opening of the 

womb). These infections may also 

lead to other cancers, such as anal 

cancer. In some people, high-risk 

HPV infections can persist and 

cause cell changes. If these cell 

changes are not treated, they may 

lead to cancer over time. 

It is only persistent HPV 

infections (the kind that don’t go 

away for years) that put people at 

risk for cancer. The types of HPV 

that can cause cancer are not the 

same as the types that can cause 

genital warts. 
more important information about HPV 

If you are a Woman 

It’s important to know about the 

link between HPV and cervical 

cancer and about the steps 

you can take to prevent this 

disease. Getting 3 doses of an 

HPV vaccine and getting regular 

screening can prevent cervical 

cancer. One HPV vaccine brand 

(Gardasil) can also prevent most 

genital warts. 

If you are a man 

It’s important to know that you 

can have genital HPV—and pass 

it to your partner—even if you 

have no symptoms. Some types 

of HPV can lead to cancer of 

the anus and penis, but these 

cancers are rare in men with 

healthy immune systems. 

There is one vaccine brand 

(Gardasil) to prevent the most 

common problem caused by 

HPV in men, genital warts. This 

vaccine is available for 9-to-26 

year-old males. 

Does having HPV mean I’ll get cancer? 

No. Most types of HPV infection don’t lead to cancer. 

Women can protect themselves from cervical cancer 

by getting regular Pap tests and by getting treated 

early for any problems that could turn into cancer. 
Do I need to know if I have HPV? 

There is no reason to be tested just to find out if you have genital HPV. 

Most people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives. Usually 

the infection goes away on its own. However, it is very important for 

women to get screened for cervical cancer that is caused by genital HPV. 

If you are a Woman 

You should get regular Pap tests to 

check for changes in your cervix. 

The Pap test is the best way to 

screen for cervical cancer. Changes 

that are caught early can be treated 

before they lead to cancer. 

If you are 30 or over, or if the 

result of your Pap test is unclear, 

a doctor may also give you an 

HPV test. This test can help the 

doctor decide what other tests or 

treatment you should have. 

If you are a man 

The U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) has not 

approved a test for HPV in men. 

See your doctor if you have 

genital warts. 

Can HPV be treated? 

•	

•	

•	

There is no treatment for genital HPV itself. Most of the time,

though, your body fights off the virus on its own. 

There are treatments for the health problems that genital HPV can

cause, like genital warts, cervical changes, and cervical cancer. 

Even after genital warts are treated, the virus may remain in the

body. This means that you may still pass HPV to your sex partners. 
	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

What about a vaccine? 

Females and males can get 

vaccinated to protect against 

the types of HPV that most 

commonly cause health 

problems. These vaccines are 

given in 3 doses over 6 months. 

The vaccines are most effective 

when all doses are received before 

a person has sexual contact with 

his or her first partner. 

•	 Two brands of HPV vaccine

(Cervarix and Gardasil) are 

available to protect females 

against the types of HPV 

that cause most cervical 

cancers. One of these vaccines 

(Gardasil) also protects 

against most genital warts. 

•	 Doctors recommend that

all 11- and 12- year-old girls 

get vaccinated against HPV. 

HPV vaccination is also 

recommended for women up 

to age 26 if they did not get 

all 3 vaccine doses when they 

were younger. 

•	 Regardless of which brand of

HPV vaccine a girl or woman 

gets, it is important that she 

get the same one for all 3 

doses. Even after receiving

3 vaccine doses, it is also 

important for women to get 

Pap tests as recommended. 

One available vaccine 

(Gardasil) protects males 

against most genital warts. 

This vaccine is available for 

boys and men, 9 through 26 

years of age. 
		 	 	 	

		 	

		 	

a message for everyone 

ProteCt yourself anD your Partner. 

Most people who have sex will have HPV at some time in their lives. 

HPV usually goes away on its own without causing any health problems. 

If you’re a woman, it’s very important to have regular Pap tests to 

check for problems that could develop into cervical cancer. Most 

women who get cervical cancer have not had regular Pap tests. 

There is no blame, no shame about having genital HPV. The virus is 

very common. 

If you have HPV, don’t blame your current partner or assume your 

partner is cheating. People can have genital HPV for a very long time 

before it is detected. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about 

HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 

for more information 

• Talk to your doctor.

• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/hpv.

CDC Publication no. 99-8822