HPV: Infection, Cancer Risk, Vaccination and Screening

HPV is a common and generally harmless virus, but some strains of HPV can cause serious health problems, including cancer. HPV spreads mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact. It can occur in both men and women, and many people infected with HPV may not even realize they have it, because it often causes no symptoms at all. To understand HPV better, it is important to explore its types, symptoms, methods of transmission, and the potential health risks.

What Is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. It is a virus that causes infections of the skin and mucous membranes. There are more than 100 strains. Some types can cause warts, while other strains may increase the risk of developing cancer. It can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, such as through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Types of HPV

HPV is a diverse group of viruses with more than 100 strains, which can be divided into two main groups:

Low-Risk HPV

This group of HPV viruses is relatively harmless and usually leads to conditions such as common warts, plantar warts, and genital warts. Although these conditions can feel uncomfortable and look unsightly, they are generally not associated with cancer.

• The low-risk strains that cause warts include strains 6 and 11.

High-Risk HPV

This group of HPV viruses can lead to various cancers. The best known is cervical cancer, but high-risk strains of HPV can also cause anal cancer, vaginal cancer, and penile cancer.

• The high-risk, cancer-causing strains include strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, and 58.

What Are the Symptoms of HPV?

The symptoms of HPV infection fall into two main types:

Symptoms of Warts

Warts caused by HPV usually appear as small raised bumps or small growths of tissue. They may be flesh-colored, white, pink, or brown, and are commonly found in the genital area, the anus, the mouth, or the throat. Some warts may itch, burn, or hurt.

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Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer caused by HPV usually shows no symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms may appear when the cancer spreads to other organs. The symptoms of HPV-related cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer, for example:

• Cervical cancer: may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge, or a foul odor from the vagina.
• Vaginal cancer: may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal discharge, or a foul odor from the vagina.
• Anal cancer: may cause bleeding from the anus, blood in the stool, or anal pain.
• Testicular cancer: may cause a swollen or painful testicle, or bleeding.

An important thing to know is that even if you have no symptoms, you can still transmit the virus to your sexual partners. This is why it is essential to understand how it spreads and to take preventive measures.

Diagnosing HPV

An HPV infection can be diagnosed through laboratory tests, such as testing for the DNA of the HPV virus in cells or testing for HPV antigens in the blood.

How Is HPV Treated?

Treatment for HPV depends on the symptoms that appear, as follows: Warts caused by HPV can be treated in several ways, such as:

• Topical medication. The topical medications used to treat warts include Imiquimod cream, Podofilox, and Trichloroacetic acid.
• Surgery. Warts can be surgically removed in several ways, such as with a scalpel, a laser, or electrocautery.
• Laser treatment. A laser can destroy the wart tissue.

Treating cancer caused by HPV may require surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The treatment will depend on the type and stage of the cancer.

Preventing HPV

Preventing HPV infection is an important part of reducing the associated health risks. The following are steps you can take to protect yourself from HPV:

• Use a condom every time you have sex.
• Get the HPV vaccine.
• Avoid having sex with someone whose infection status is unknown.
• Having only one sexual partner can reduce the risk of infection.
• Get screened for HPV regularly, at least once a year.

Vaccines and Disease Prevention

The HPV vaccine helps prevent disease in both men and women, as follows: Prevention in men:

• Anal cancer
• Certain throat cancers, such as throat cancer and cancer of the mouth area
• Genital warts

Prevention in women:

• Cervical cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Anal cancer
• Genital warts

Possible Complications of HPV Infection

• Pain. Warts may cause pain, itching, or irritation.
• Loss of self-confidence. Warts may cause anxiety or embarrassment about one's appearance.
• Spread of warts. Warts may spread to other areas of the body.
• Cancer. Some strains of HPV infection may cause cancer, such as cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, and penile cancer.

Most HPV infections cause no symptoms, but they may cause warts in the genital area, the anus, the mouth, or the throat. In some cases, they can cause cancer, such as cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer, and penile cancer. The best way to prevent HPV infection is to use a condom every time you have sex and to get the HPV vaccine.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a large group of viruses spread mainly through intimate skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most infections cause no symptoms and clear, while persistent high-risk infection can lead to precancer and certain cancers.

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What HPV can cause and how prevention works

HPV is associated with cervical, anal, penile, vulvar, vaginal, and some oropharyngeal cancers. Infection does not mean cancer will develop; persistence of high-risk types is the key concern. Condoms reduce but do not eliminate exposure because uncovered skin can transmit HPV.

Cervical screening remains important after vaccination. Other screening and examination decisions depend on anatomy, age, history, and local guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Does HPV clear on its own?

Most infections become undetectable within about two years, but persistent infection can require follow-up based on the site and screening result.

Do genital-wart types cause cancer?

The HPV types that usually cause genital warts are generally different from the high-risk types associated with cancer.

Is there a routine HPV test for every man?

No. There is no approved general HPV-status test for all men; specialised assessment may be considered for selected people and sites.

Primary sources reviewed: CDC: About Genital HPV Infection · CDC: About HPV

Verified references

Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.

1. CDC: About Genital HPV Infection Accessed 13 August 2026
2. NCI: HPV and Cancer Accessed 13 August 2026