These strains (most commonly 6 and 11) do not cause cancer. They can cause:
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Genital warts: Small bumps or growths in the genital area. They can be flat or raised, single or clustered. They’re not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, or distressing.
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Respiratory papillomatosis: Very rare. Warts in the throat or respiratory tract.
The good news: Even if you develop genital warts, they’re treatable. And the strains that cause warts are not the same strains that cause cancer.
High-Risk HPV (Cancer Risk)
These strains (most commonly 16 and 18) can cause cellular changes that, if persistent, may lead to cancer over many years (usually 10-20 years).
Cancers linked to high-risk HPV:
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Cervical cancer (the most well-known)
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Anal cancer (affects both men and women)
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Oropharyngeal (throat) cancer (tongue base, tonsils, soft palate)
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Penile cancer (rare)
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Vaginal and vulvar cancer (rare)
Important: Having high-risk HPV does NOT mean you have cancer. It means you have a virus that, if it persists, could lead to precancerous changes that could, over many years, develop into cancer. Most high-risk HPV infections clear on their own without ever causing problems.
Who Gets HPV? (Everyone)
Let me say this loudly: HPV does not discriminate.
It affects:
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Women
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Men
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People of all ages (though most common in young adults)
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People of all sexual orientations
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People who’ve had one partner and people who’ve had many
The numbers:
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About 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point.
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About 13 million Americans (including teens and adults) get HPV each year.
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About 79 million Americans currently have HPV.
If you’ve had sex, you’ve likely been exposed to HPV. That doesn’t mean you’re “dirty” or “promiscuous.” It means you’re human.
HPV in Women vs. Men (The Differences)
In Women:
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Screening exists: Pap smears (and HPV tests) detect cervical cell changes caused by high-risk HPV.
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Treatment exists: Precancerous cervical changes can be treated (LEEP procedure, cryotherapy, etc.) before they become cancer.
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Vaccination is recommended: The HPV vaccine is approved for women up to age 45.
Important: Women can also get anal, throat, vulvar, and vaginal cancers from HPV, though these are less common than cervical cancer.
In Men:
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No routine screening: There’s no equivalent to the Pap smear for men. Most men find out they have HPV only if they develop visible warts or if a partner tests positive.
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HPV-related cancers in men: Anal cancer, penile cancer (rare), and throat cancer.
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Vaccination is also recommended: The HPV vaccine is approved for men up to age 45.
The blind spot: Because men aren’t routinely screened, many assume HPV is a “women’s issue.” It’s not. Men get HPV. Men transmit HPV. Men can develop HPV-related cancers.
What About HPV and Pregnancy?
This is a common concern.
Can I get pregnant if I have HPV? Yes. HPV does not affect fertility.
Can I pass HPV to my baby? Very rarely. In extremely rare cases, a mother with genital warts can pass HPV to her baby during childbirth, causing respiratory papillomatosis (warts in the baby’s throat). This is uncommon, and your doctor can advise you based on your specific situation.
Is it safe to get the HPV vaccine while pregnant? The vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. If you’re trying to conceive or are pregnant, wait until after delivery.
Will my baby be born with HPV? No. Most babies are not born with HPV. They may be exposed during delivery, but their immune systems usually clear the virus without issue.
HPV and Oral Sex (The Throat Connection)
This is the question people don’t ask, but should.
Can you get HPV from oral sex? Yes. Oral HPV is transmitted through oral sex.
Does it cause symptoms? Usually not. Most oral HPV infections clear on their own.
What’s the risk? Persistent oral HPV (especially HPV 16) can cause oropharyngeal (throat) cancer—cancers of the tonsils, base of the tongue, and soft palate.
Who is at risk: Oropharyngeal cancer is more common in men than women, and in people with a history of multiple oral sex partners, smoking, and heavy alcohol use.
Can you be screened for oral HPV? No routine screening exists. However, dentists often check for signs of oral cancer during routine exams (looking for sores, lumps, or discolored patches).
Does the HPV vaccine protect against oral HPV? Yes. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing oral HPV infection from the strains it covers.
The HPV Vaccine: What You Need to Know
This is the single best tool for preventing HPV-related cancers.
What it covers: Gardasil-9 protects against 9 HPV strains, including:
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HPV 16 and 18 (responsible for most HPV-related cancers)
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HPV 6 and 11 (responsible for most genital warts)
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Five other high-risk strains
Who should get it:
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Ages 9-12: Routine vaccination recommended. Two doses, 6-12 months apart.
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Ages 13-26: Catch-up vaccination recommended. Three doses.
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Ages 27-45: Talk to your doctor. The vaccine may be beneficial if you haven’t been previously infected with the covered strains.
Does it treat existing HPV? No. It prevents future infections. It does not treat existing HPV or related conditions.
Is it safe? Yes. Over a decade of research and millions of doses administered have shown the HPV vaccine to be very safe.
Is it effective? Yes. Studies show that the vaccine has reduced HPV infections and genital warts by over 80% in vaccinated populations.
What If You Test Positive for HPV? (What to Do)
Let me give you a calm, rational action plan.
Step 1: Don’t Panic
Most HPV infections clear on their own. You are not alone. You are not “dirty.” You are not going to die.
Step 2: Get the Facts
Ask your doctor:
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Which HPV strain do I have? (Low-risk or high-risk?)
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Do I have any cellular changes? (Dysplasia, CIN)
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What’s the recommended follow-up?
Step 3: Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
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For low-risk HPV (no cellular changes): Usually no treatment. Your immune system will likely clear the virus.
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For high-risk HPV with cellular changes: Your doctor may recommend monitoring (repeat Pap in 6-12 months), colposcopy, or treatment (LEEP, cryotherapy).
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For genital warts: Treatable with topical medications, cryotherapy, laser, or surgical removal.
Step 4: Take Care of Your Immune System
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Don’t smoke (smoking impairs HPV clearance)
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Eat a balanced diet
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Manage stress
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Get enough sleep
Step 5: Tell Your Partner(s)
This is hard, but important.
How to say it: “I recently tested positive for HPV, which is a very common virus. Most people get it at some point. There’s no way to know when I got it or who gave it to me. I wanted to tell you so you can talk to your doctor about vaccination and screening.”
What to expect: They may not know what HPV is. They may have questions. Be patient. Share resources. Don’t accept shame or blame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get HPV from a toilet seat?
No. HPV requires skin-to-skin contact. It does not survive long on surfaces.
Can I get HPV from kissing?
Unlikely. Deep kissing may transmit oral HPV, but it’s not the primary route. Genital-to-genital and oral-to-genital contact are the main routes.
Can I have sex if I have HPV?
Yes. Condoms reduce transmission risk but don’t eliminate it. Consider getting the HPV vaccine (if you haven’t already) to protect against strains you don’t have.
How do I know if I have HPV?
For women: Pap smears detect cervical cellular changes caused by HPV. Some Pap tests also test for HPV directly. For men: No routine HPV test exists. You may discover you have HPV if you develop visible warts or if a partner tests positive.
Can I clear HPV?
Yes. Your immune system clears most HPV infections within 1-2 years.
If I clear HPV, can I get it again?
You can get a different strain. Your immune system develops type-specific immunity, meaning you’re protected from the strain you cleared but not from others.
Should I tell future partners about a past HPV infection?
If you had warts that have resolved (no visible warts for 6+ months), the risk of transmission is very low. If you have persistent high-risk HPV (detected on cervical screening), some partners may want to know. Have an honest conversation about vaccination and protection.
A Stigma-Free, Fact-Filled Conclusion
Here’s what I want you to take away from this article.
HPV is not a scarlet letter. It’s not a punishment. It’s not a reflection of your character, your worth, or your choices. It’s a virus—one that most sexually active adults will encounter.
Most people clear it without ever knowing they had it. Some people develop warts (treatable) or cellular changes (monitorable, treatable). A very small percentage develop cancer—which is why screening is so important.
The worst part of HPV isn’t the virus. It’s the shame. The silence. The fear that keeps people from getting vaccinated, from getting screened, from having honest conversations with partners, from seeking treatment.
Let’s break the silence.
Get vaccinated if you haven’t. Get screened as recommended. Talk to your partners openly. And if you test positive for HPV? Take a breath. You’re in the majority. You’re normal. You’re going to be fine.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you or a partner been diagnosed with HPV? How did you handle it? What do you wish you’d known? Drop a comment below – your story might help someone else feel less alone.
And if this article helped you understand HPV better (and worry less), please share it with a friend who needs to read it. A text, a link, a conversation. Good information fights stigma.
Take care of yourself. Get vaccinated. Get screened. And be kind to yourself and others. 💚🛡️
