How is HPV transmitted?

While most strains of HPV are harmless, some strains cause serious complications. Because of this, it’s essential to know what HPV is and how it’s transmitted to protect your health and the health of those you care about.

In this blog, we’ll review what HPV is and how it is transmitted, and give you tips on how to avoid getting the infection and to help stop its spread.

What is HPV?

Let’s start with the basics: what is the human papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is the name for an incredibly common family of viruses, some of which are considered sexually transmitted infections. Most people will get an HPV infection at some point in their life. Most of these infections won’t result in any symptoms.

There are two types of HPV: Cutaneous (those that infect the skin and cause warts there) and Mucosal (those that infect cells of moist surface layers that line organs and cavities of the body).

Cutaneous HPV infections are far more common, making up around 150 known strains, while Mucosal HPV infections make up about 40.

Mucosal HPV infections are further divided into two types: low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV.

Low-risk HPV

Low-risk strains of HPV, of which HPV 6 and 11 are the most prominent, cause Genital Warts.

Genital Warts affect the genital area and rectum. These warts will appear as small lumps or protrusions that look like the head of a cauliflower.

Because of their appearance, these warts can sometimes be mistaken for moles or skin tags.

Women usually get Genital Warts on the vulva, anus, cervix, or inside the vagina. Men usually get Genital Warts around the penis, anus, and scrotum.

Without interventions like topical creams, freezing, or surgery, Genital Warts will remain until the infection is cleared from the body naturally. This can take a few months or several years.

Genital Warts usually do not cause any pain, though they may itch.

High-risk HPV

15 high-risk strains of HPV (including HPV 16, 18, 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) can cause serious health problems. They are known to cause certain cancers like anal cancer, vaginal cancer, throat cancer, penis cancer, and cervical cancer.

High-risk HPV causes more than 95% of cervical cancers, 90% of anal cancers, 70% of throat cancers, and 60% of penis cancers.

In the Middle East, HPV has become increasingly common with the rise of young people engaging in premarital sex. Limiting the disease’s spread has been difficult because of cultural and political resistance to vaccination.

How HPV is transmitted

If you’re asking how HPV is transmitted, you need to know which types of HPV you’re talking about.

Cutaneous HPV infections can be spread through simple acts of touch or through interactions with the environment, like hugging, holding hands, or touching infected surfaces.

Mucosal HPV infections are usually spread through sexual activity.

Low-risk and high-risk strains of Mucosal HPV are primarily transmitted through vaginal sex, anal sex, sharing sex toys, and skin-to-skin contact during the sexual act. While less likely, they can also be spread through oral sex.

The spread of low-risk and high-risk HPV is not limited to the exchange of bodily fluids. Simple genital-to-genital touching or hand-to-genital touching can spread an HPV infection. For instance, if your genitals touch the genitals of someone with HPV, you might contract HPV yourself.

You can get a low-risk or high-risk HPV infection even if you use condoms, dental dams, and other forms of protection since areas of skin not covered can still pass on the virus.

How to stop the spread of HPV

HPV can be very harmful to some people, so it’s important to help stop the virus’s spread.

Get an HPV vaccine

The first line of defence against an HPV infection is an HPV vaccine. HPV vaccines can prevent warts and cancers caused by low-risk and high-risk HPV. The more people are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities the virus will have to spread.

Two HPV vaccines – the quadrivalent human papillomavirus recombinant vaccine and the human papillomavirus bivalent vaccine recombinant – were widely used in the late 2000s and protected against high-risk HPV strains 6 and 11, and 16 and 18, respectively.

In 2014, the human papillomavirus 9-valent recombinant vaccine replaced earlier versions since it protects against low-risk strains 6 and 11 and high-risk strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

Get regular screenings for HPV

If you are concerned about the effects of HPV, you should get regular screens and tests.

Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should get regular cervical screens to assess their cervical cancer risks.

Many countries are moving towards using HPV DNA tests instead of Pap smears, as DNA tests search for the presence of the virus itself rather than abnormal cervical cells, which may have other causes. DNA tests are also more convenient for the patient as samples can be collected without the help of a medical practitioner.  

Those who are concerned about anal cancers caused by HPV may wish to get an anal HPV test. They may also wish to get an anal Pap smear to see if an HPV infection has begun to affect certain cells. Groups who may want to get an anal HPV test and/or anal Pap smear include:

• Men who have sex with men
• Women who have anal sex
• People infected with HIV
• Women who already have vaginal, vulvar, or cervical cancer
• People who have had organ transplants
• Anyone with a history of Genital Warts

Use condoms and dental dams.

Even though condoms and dental dams don’t fully protect you from the risk of getting HPV, not using them will greatly increase your chances of getting it.

Be in a mutually monogamous relationship

If you’re sexually active and want to decrease your risk of getting any STI, you should be in a monogamous relationship with someone who only has sex with you. Limiting the number of people you have sex with to one will significantly decrease the risk of catching STIs, including HPV.

If you’re entering into a relationship with a new sexual partner, you may wish to get an HPV test along with a full STI screen for both parties. Doing so will help everyone involved identify any potential risks to starting a sexual relationship and get treated accordingly.

What if I think I have HPV?

If you think you have HPV, call the number above to speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors. They can advise you on the right course of action for your situation.