Can genital HPV infection be prevented?

Genital HPV (human papilloma virus) infection is transmitted through sexual contact. The viruses that cause it can be present all over the area around your genitals and anus.

Practicing safe sex using condoms can help to prevent genital HPV infection. However, as condoms do not cover all of your genital area and are usually put on after sexual contact has begun, HPV infection can still be passed on.

If you've been treated for genital warts, you should use a condom for 3-6 months after your treatment finishes, as well as any other form of contraception you normally use. This helps to stop you and your partner getting reinfected.

What is HPV?

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body; for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV infection can affect the genital area.

What can HPV infection do?

Infection with some types of HPV can cause:

• abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer, and
• genital warts, which are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STD).

Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas.