What is HPV?
HPV is the human papilloma virus. Most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer. HPV is a very common virus spread through genital skin contact during sexual activity. 4 out of 5 women will have it at some time. There are over 100 types of HPV but just a few of these have been linked to cervical cancer.
The body’s natural immune system usually clears the virus within 1–2 years. If the infection is not cleared there may be an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Regular Pap smears are the best way of checking for early changes to the cells of the cervix that are caused by HPV.
How did I get HPV?
HPV passes through tiny breaks in the genital skin, but is not spread in blood or other body fluids. Condoms give important protection against sexually transmitted infections, but offer only limited protection against HPV as they do not cover all of the genital skin.
The virus can be hidden in a person's cells for a long time. It is often impossible to determine when you got HPV or who you contracted it from.
How do I know if I have HPV?
Most people will have HPV at some stage of their life and never know it. There are often no symptoms. You may become aware that you have HPV if genital warts appear or you receive abnormal Pap smear results.
Can HPV be treated?
No, there is no treatment for HPV. Only the cell changes or warts that result from the virus can be treated. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for you. In most people, the virus is cleared naturally by the body’s immune system in 1–2 years.
Further reading:
» "The link between cervical cancer and HPV" PDF 295KB (external link)