• What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
• How common is HPV?
• Who gets genital HPV?
• Does everyone who has HPV get cervical cancer or genital warts?
• If HPV has no signs or symptoms, how can I know I have it?
• How can I decrease my risk of getting genital HPV?

Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact could get genital HPV. It is possible to get the virus without having intercourse. Because many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms, they can transmit the virus without even knowing it.

HPV is highly contagious, so it’s possible to be exposed to the virus only once to get it. It is estimated that many people get HPV within their first 2 to 3 years of becoming sexually active. Two thirds of all people who have sexual contact with an infected partner will develop an HPV infection within 3 months, according to the WHO.