HPV
HPV is a common virus that nearly all sexually active people will get at some point in their life if they are not vaccinated. Learn more about testing, prevention, and treatment for HPV.
What is HPV?
HPV is an infection that can cause genital warts. Some types of HPV can lead to cancers of the mouth and throat, anus, cervix, vulva, vagina, and penis.
How is HPV spread?
HPV is spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or through other sexual skin-on-skin contact. You can still be infected even if no one ejaculates.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Most people who get HPV don’t develop symptoms. Some types of HPV can cause warts on the genitals or anus, or other parts of your body. The incubation period, or the time between exposure and when symptoms (if any) first appear, is 14 to 240 days.
How do I get tested for HPV?
Currently, there is no test that can detect the presence of HPV in men and people assigned male at birth. There is a test for women and people assigned female at birth.
Since some types of HPV can cause certain types of cancer, talk to your health care provider about getting a regular anal Pap smear—especially if you bottom.
What is the treatment for HPV?
There is no cure for HPV. However, if you develop warts caused by HPV, your provider can diagnose and remove the warts.
How can I prevent HPV?
The best way is to prevent HPV is to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective—and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for people between the ages of 11 and 26 years.
If you’re under age 26 and have been sexually active, you can still get the vaccine since it may protect against certain strains of the virus.
If you’re over 26, the vaccine may not work since you may already have HPV. Most providers will not give this vaccine to people over age 26.
Using condoms can also help prevent transmission of HPV (as well as other STIs) but may not provide full protection since the virus can infect areas not covered by condoms.
Learn more about the HPV and other vaccines that may be right for you.
Looking for sexual health services?
Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
Is PrEP right for you?
PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV. Take a short quiz to find out if it may be right for you.