Quick Answer
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact and nearly all sexually active people will acquire at least one type. Most clear within 1-2 years, but persistent high-risk strains cause ~37,000 U.S. cancers annually.
- Nearly all sexually active adults get HPV at some point.
- Viral, usually self-clearing, sometimes persistent.
- Vaccine prevents 90% of HPV-related cancers.
- Cervical screening catches HPV-driven changes early.
Context Most Pages Skip
HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active people will get it at some point.
⚕️ This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed clinician. If you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested — most infections are manageable, and many are fully curable.
Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.