What is HPV?
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the name for a very common group of viruses.1
There are more than 100 types of HPV.2
Most people who become infected with HPV do not know they have it.3 It is important to note most HPV infections (9 out of 10) will be cleared by the immune system within two years.1
However, when HPV does not go away, it can lead to health problems like genital warts and certain types of cancer, like cervical cancer.3
Genital warts and cancers are caused by different types of HPV.3 Developing cancer after a HPV infection typically takes years or even decades after being infected.3
How can I get HPV?
HPV is mainly spread through intimate skin to skin contact, including vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus.1
Most people with HPV do not know they have the virus as they don’t develop symptoms or health problems from it.3
I’m an adult, can I still get HPV?
Nearly all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives.1 It is very common, and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed or ashamed about it.1 Most HPV infections go away on their own without causing cancer.1
You can’t fully protect yourself from HPV and most HPV infections are cleared by your body within 2 years.3 There are things that you can do to help lower your risk of getting HPV infection.3
Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for more information on HPV prevention and cervical screening.
- https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/causes/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/why-go/what-cervical-screening-is/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/who-should-have-cervical-screening/who-should-have-screening/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/contact/about-cervicalcheck/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/why-go/register/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer (Accessed November 2023)
- de Martel C, Plummer M, Vignat J, Franceschi S. Worldwide burden of cancer attributable to HPV by site, country and HPV type. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(4):664-670. doi:10. 1002/ijc.30716. (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/getting-a-test/what-happens/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/colposcopy/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/results/your-results/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/overview/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/index.htm (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer (Accessed November 2023)
- https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/IRL_FS.pdf (Accessed November 2023)
- Cohen, P.A., Jhingran, A., Oaknin, A. and Denny, L. (2019) Cervical cancer. Lancet 393(10167), 169-182 (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/symptoms/ (Accessed November 2023)
- https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-cancer/treatment/ (Accessed November 2023)
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IE-NON-00477 | Date of Preparation: January 2025
