The fact is, nearly all sexually active people will be infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) at some stage in their lives.
Learn more below or talk to your general practitioner, nurse or pharmacist about HPV.
HPV is a common virus
Up to nine out of ten sexually active people will be infected with at least one genital type of HPV at some time in their lives.
For most people, HPV clears on its own.
But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers or diseases.
Most HPV infections cause no symptoms. There are many types of HPV, and the virus can affect people of any sex and different parts of the body.
Some types may cause:
- Genital warts.
- Cell changes that, if left untreated, can lead to cancers such as anal, cervical, vaginal or vulvar cancers. It usually takes 15–20 years for cancer to develop after HPV infection.
HPV spreads through skin‑to‑skin contact, usually during sex
The risk of getting HPV increases with the number of sexual partners a person has, however, it’s important to know that HPV can be caught from just one partner — even a first and only sexual partner.
- It doesn’t need full sexual intercourse to pass the virus on.
- Often people with HPV don’t show any symptoms or know they are infected but they can still pass the virus on to others.
There are ways to help reduce your risk of getting HPV
These include:
- Using condoms – when used correctly, condoms can help protect against HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, they do not provide complete protection, as they do not prevent all skin-to-skin genital contact.
Screening tests for HPV can help detect HPV and identify pre-cancers that can lead to cancers.
- Cervical screening is recommended every 5 years for anyone who has a cervix, is 25–74 years old, or has ever had sexual contact (even if not currently sexually active).
- There are no widespread or commonly available HPV screening tests for males.
Some HPV facts that might surprise you
Both males and females are at risk of HPV infection, which usually spreads through sexual contact. And since HPV can spread through more than just sex, all that may be needed is skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. People can spread HPV without knowing, because it usually has no signs or symptoms. For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it could cause certain cancers later in life.
Yes. HPV is a common virus that can affect anyone regardless of their sex. For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases. The virus can affect both males and females and different parts of the body.
HPV infection often occurs soon after person becomes sexually active. In Australia, the median age of sexual debut is around 17 years. Up to 90% of people will be infected with at least one genital type of HPV at some point in their lives.
Condoms, when used correctly, can lower the risk of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, they do not provide complete protection. This is because HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, and condoms don’t cover all genital skin.
Yes. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts in both males and females, which:
- may be painless, itchy, or uncomfortable.
- can appear flat or raised.
- may occur as single warts, in clusters, or multiple spots.
Most HPV infections that cause warts clear naturally within a short time. Genital warts do not cause cancer.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers. Certain types of HPV can cause changes in cells in the body, that may lead to certain cancers. These include cancers of the cervix, anus, vagina and vulva.
Screening tests for HPV can help detect HPV and identify pre-cancers that can lead to cancers if left untreated.
In Australia, cervical screening is recommended every 5 years for anyone who:
- has a cervix.
- is aged 25–74 years old, or
- has ever had sexual contact (even if not currently sexually active).
There are no widespread or commonly available HPV screening tests for males.
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References
1. World Health Organization. Human papillomavirus and cancer. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer. Accessed 3 October 2025. 2. Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Immunisation Handbook. Human papillomavirus (HPV). Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/human-papillomavirus-hpv. Accessed 22 August 2025. 3. Meites E, et al. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book). 14th edition. Chapter 11: Human Papillomavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated April 23, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-11-human-papillomavirus.htm. 4. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021 – human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed July 22, 2021. Accessed June 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv.htm. 5. HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed November 14, 2023. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/oropharyngeal-cancer.html?CDC_AAref_Val. 6. Health Direct. Human papillomavirus and HPV vaccine. Available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine. Accessed 3 October 2025. 7. Immunisation Coalition. 2025 HPV Guide for Healthcare Professionals. Available at: https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/resources/hpv-guide/. Accessed 3 October 2025. 8. NSW Health. Human papillomavirus (HPV) fact sheet. Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/human-papillomavirus.aspx. Accessed 3 October 2025. 9. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia (NCIRS). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for Australians FactSheet 2023. Available at: https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/HPV-Factsheet_February-2023.pdf. Accessed 3 October 2025.
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