What is HPV?
HPV is short for a virus that is called Human Papilloma Virus. It is the virus that causes warts. There are many different types of HPV. Some HPV types are sexually transmitted and cause genital warts. Genital warts may grow on your penis, anus, or inside or outside the vagina. Some HPV types can cause changes to a woman’s cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus.

How do you get HPV?
You can get HPV if you have oral sex, vaginal sex, or anal sex with a person who already has the virus. Your partner may not have visible warts but can still spread the virus.

How can you tell if you have HPV?
Some people with HPV can pass the virus without even
knowing they have it. If you find warts on your genitals, they may look like small, hard spots, or like cauliflower. Some warts are very hard to see. A doctor or nurse can find them using a vinegar solution.

How do you get tested for HPV?
There is no special test for HPV. A doctor or nurse can tell if you have genital warts by looking at them. Some types of HPV can cause changes to a woman’s cervix.
If these changes aren’t treated, they may lead to cancer of the cervix. A doctor or nurse can do a simple test called a PAP test to check your cervix. They will gently take some cells from your cervix. If you are having sex, it is important to have a PAP test once a year. If you have HPV, you might need PAP tests more often.

How is HPV treated?
Right now, there is no cure for HPV. Medical experts think that HPV may stay in your body. If your PAP test shows that HPV has caused changes to your cervix, you may be sent to a special doctor for treatment. Genital warts are not bad for your health and they don’t have to be taken off. If you want the warts taken off, there are many different ways a doctor or nurse can do the following

They can put a liquid directly on the warts. Usually it has to be done many times before the warts go away.
They can freeze the warts with dry ice.
They can burn the warts.
They can remove the warts surgically.

How do you prevent spreading the virus to your partner?
There is still no cure for HPV, so you may always have this virus in your body. Even after you have been treated for warts, you could pass HPV on to the people you have sex with. That’s why it is so important to talk to your partner(s) before you start having vaginal or anal intercourse. It might be hard to talk about HPV, but it is important that both you and your partner(s) know the risks. Latex condoms and a spermicide can lower your chances of passing on HPV.