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Communicable Diseases Agency

Human papillomavirus

HPV stands for human papillomavirus, a common virus that can infect many parts of the body in both males and females.

Last updated 7 November 2025

On this page

What is HPV?
How is HPV transmitted?
What are the symptoms of HPV? 
What are the risk factors?
How to treat HPV?
How to prevent HPV?

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human papillomavirus, a common virus that can infect many parts of the body in both males and females.

There are more than 100 different types of HPV, grouped into high-risk types (may cause cancer) and low-risk types (non-cancer causing).

High-risk HPV types 

  • Associated with cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer in women

  • Associated with anal or penile cancer in men

  • Most common are HPV types 16 and 18, which account for about 70% cervical cancer cases

Low-risk HPV types              

  • May lead to genital warts or have no symptoms

  • HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for about 90% of genital warts

Sometimes, the HPV infection can persist and cause abnormal changes to the cells which may develop into cervical cancer. This usually takes years but is one of the most significant impacts of HPV infection.

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV infections are common in men and women.

It can be transmitted through: 

  • Skin-to-skin contact such as sexual activity (including oral sex)

  • Sharing contaminated sex toys

  • Childbirth in rare instances

HPV cannot be spread by sitting on toilet seats or touching common surfaces.

What are the symptoms of HPV? 

Most HPV infections do not have any symptoms. 

Some HPV infections may cause mouth, throat, or genital warts, or even throat cancer.

For women, high-risk HPV infection on the cervix can cause cervical cancer. It typically does not have any symptoms. To detect the cancer, cervical screening, or HPV DNA tests are done.

Symptoms of cervical cancer include: 

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding such as bleeding after menstrual periods or after sex

  • Changes in the amount, colour, or smell of the vaginal discharge

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors include:

  • Sex at an early age

  • Unprotected sex or inconsistent condom use

  • Having multiple sexual partners

  • Exchanging sex for money or drugs

  • History or current presence of other STIs

  • Long-term combined oral contraceptive pills

  • Smoking

  • Suppressed immune system (innate or acquired), including HIV infection

How to treat HPV?

Treatment is typically directed at HPV-associated conditions such as precancerous lesions, cancer, or genital warts. This is because there are no treatments that completely eliminate HPV.

While HPV cannot be treated, regular cervical cancer screening can identify high-risk HPV cancer-causing types or abnormalities through a pap smear.

How to prevent HPV?

Get vaccinated. Females aged nine to 26 are strongly advised to get the HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. This vaccine protects against 70%–90% of high-risk HPV types. 

Get more details on HPV vaccination here.

To supplement vaccination, regular cervical cancer screening is recommended for women aged 25 onwards.

If you are a woman who is aged:

25 to 29

Pap smear once every 3 years.

30 and above

HPV test once every 5 years.

You can get screened at your family doctor's clinic, selected Screen for Life (SFL) CHAS GPs, or at a polyclinic. Call to check if they offer cervical cancer screening services.

Get more information about cervical cancer and screening by calling 1800 223 1313. Note: Airtime charges apply for mobile calls to 1800 service lines. Calls from landlines are free.