Signs and symptoms

• Most types do not cause symptoms.
• The types of HPV that cause cervical cancer usually cause no symptoms.
• Some strains of HPV cause genital warts.
• Signs of genital warts may be:
  • Soft, pink or flesh-colored bumps or swellings on or near the genitals, anus or upper thigh
  • Cauliflower-like growths on or near genitals, anus or upper thigh area
• Most people who develop warts do so within 3-6 months after getting infected.

Transmission

• Anal or vaginal sex
• Oral sex and genital to genital contact
• Infected mother to baby at vaginal birth
• People with HIV are more likely to get HPV and related health problems.

Prevention

• Get vaccinated against HPV (girls, boys, young women, young men).
• Abstain from oral, anal and vaginal sex.
• Use condoms/barriers consistently and correctly for oral, anal or vaginal sex.
• Get regular, routine pap smear tests to prevent cervical cancer (women).
• Get regular, routine health care exams, including STD tests.
• If a partner has HPV, avoid sexual contact if warts are present and use condoms at all times.
• Limit number of sex partners.

Treatment

• Most people with HPV control the infection without treatment.
• If you have warts or if you are a woman with an abnormal pap smear, you may need treatment.
• See a health care provider for exam and tests to figure out the best treatment.

If not treated...

• Increased risk for certain cancers in women and men.
• Can rarely be passed to infant at delivery; may cause warts in baby's throat or voice box.

If you have HPV...

• Use condoms or barriers with vaginal and anal sex.
• Learn about HPV and seek support from local groups or websites.
• Seek medical care, including STD tests. Use all medicines as prescribed.
• Notify recent sex partners that they were exposed to HPV and talk to new partners about it.
• Get yearly STD screens including a pap smear test as indicated if you are female.
• If pregnant, get tested for STDs and HIV.

• HPV facts in PDF format
• HPV facts, CDC
• Genital wart facts, Medline Plus
• Where to get tested for HIV/STDs