What is HPV?

We all want to look after our health and the health of our family. That’s why it’s important your child has the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The HPV vaccine is important as it protects you and your family against most HPV-related cancers and illnesses.  

This page covers what you need to know about HPV, and how it impacts our heath.    

What is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus and is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect people of all genders.

HPV often has no symptoms and goes away by itself, but HPV can sometimes cause serious illness.

Eight out of 10 sexually active people will have an HPV infection at some time in their lives. However, many people won’t have any symptoms and may never know they’ve had it. People of all genders and sexual identities can get HPV.

Having the HPV vaccination at a young age can help protect you against most HPV-related cancers and illnesses in the future.

Contracting HPV

HPV is commonly spread through genital-skin contact during sexual activity through tiny breaks in the skin.

You can be exposed to HPV the first time you are sexually active with another person. You can get HPV even if you have had only one sexual partner.

HPV can remain dormant for many years. This means people in long-term monogamous relationships or people who have not been sexually active for many years can still get HPV.

Condoms offer some protection from HPV but do not cover all genital skin. This means HPV can still be transmitted. Condoms are still important for practicing safe sex as they do protect you from many other sexually transmitted infections.

Testing for HPV

Cervical Screening Tests look for the presence of HPV in women and people with a cervix. Sexual health check-ups do not test for HPV. There is currently no approved screening test for HPV in men. If you are concerned or have any questions, you should speak to your doctor or medical practitioner.

Treating HPV

There is no treatment or cure for HPV. That’s why it’s so important to have the HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine used in Australia is called Gardasil ®9. It protects you against the most common types of HPV that can cause disease. 

In most cases, the immune system clears HPV from your body naturally (usually within a year) and it has no long-lasting effects.

Sometimes, if an HPV infection persists it can cause cell changes in your body that may lead to cancer. Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV.

Women and people with a cervix who have ever been sexually active need to have regular Cervical Screening Tests every five years once they turn 25 until the age of 74, even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine.

The Cervical Screening Test looks for the presence of HPV. If HPV is detected early, it can be monitored and any cell changes in your cervix that are caused by HPV can be treated early.

Learn more about cervical cancer

Learn more about cervical screening

HPV and cancer

In some cases, if an HPV infection persists it can cause damage to the cells in your body. These cell changes may lead to cancer.

There are many different HPV types but only some can potentially cause serious illnesses such as cancer.

HPV causes:

  • Almost all cervical cancers
  • 90 per cent of anal cancers
  • 78 per cent of vaginal cancers
  • 25 per cent of vulvar cancers
  • 50 per cent of penile cancers
  • 60 per cent of oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).

HPV and genital warts

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection caused by HPV. Genital warts are caused by the types of HPV which do not cause cancer. Having genital warts does not mean you are at risk of cancer.

Genital warts used to be a very common sexually transmitted infection in Australia, especially in young people.

But since the HPV vaccine was introduced in 2007, genital warts have become much less common.

In most cases, genital warts can be treated by your doctor.

HPV in men

HPV can affect men, so it’s important to get the HPV vaccine if you’re eligible. HPV in men can cause anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancers (tonsils, throat, base of tongue), penile cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine effectively prevents HPV infection and precancerous lesions in men with prevention of HPV-related cancers expected to occur in vaccinated populations in the coming decades. Males who receive the HPV vaccine are also less likely to spread HPV to their sexual partners, which in turn can protect them from HPV-related illnesses.

HPV can also affect transmen. Cervical screening is the best way to detect HPV in transmen with a cervix and should be discussed with your doctor or health professional.

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