Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus. There are many different types of HPV. Some types cause genital warts, and others can increase the risk for certain types of cancer.

HPV is the most common STI in Canada – approximately 75% of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, although HPV infections are most common among young people aged 15-24.

SYMPTOMS

Most people with HPV do not have any visible signs or symptoms, so they may have HPV without knowing it.

Genital warts
Genital warts are often the only visible sign that someone has an HPV infection. They are small, painless, skin-coloured growths that may be flat or appear bumpy, like cauliflower. They can appear on the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, penis, or scrotum. They may appear weeks, months, or even years after someone is infected with HPV.

Genital warts are treatable and are usually caused by low-risk types of HPV, which do not cause cancer. A healthcare provider can diagnose genital warts by looking at the area during a physical exam.

Cancer
At least 15 types of HPV are considered high-risk because they can cause cancer. These types can lead to changes in infected cells in the body. If these changes are not found and treated, they can develop into cancer over time. HPV has been linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and head and neck (i.e., mouth and throat). Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV.

TRANSMISSION

HPV spreads very easily, including through:

Skin-to-skin contact in the genital area (even without penetration)
Vaginal, anal, or oral sex
Sharing sex toys

Someone with HPV can pass it to others even if they do not have symptoms (e.g., visible warts). Although it is rare, HPV can be spread to a baby during vaginal delivery.

PREVENTION

Vaccination
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect against the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and HPV-related cancers. In Canada, HPV vaccination is approved for anyone aged 9-45. It works best when people are vaccinated before they become sexually active, since it prevents HPV rather than treating it. If someone is sexually active before getting vaccinated, it can still protect them, even if they have had HPV before.

In Saskatchewan, all grade 6 students can get the HPV vaccine for free through school immunization programs, and all residents can get it free until age 27. Anyone aged 27-45 can receive the vaccine through a healthcare provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist) or through Public Health.

Talk with a healthcare provider to learn more about getting vaccinated or visit the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Immunization webpage.

Practice safer sex
Safer sex strategies work best when communicated with a sexual partner. While neither of these strategies provides complete protection against HPV, they do reduce a person’s overall risk.

Using condoms and/or dental dams every time a person has sex minimizes the risk of being exposed to HPV and other STIs. Because HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom or dental dam (e.g., vulva, scrotum, or base of the thighs), they do not provide complete protection from HPV.
Limiting the number of sexual partners minimizes a person’s chance of being exposed to HPV. HPV infections are more likely in people who have had multiple sexual partners or who have a partner with multiple sexual partners.

Avoid smoking
Smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing an HPV infection and also makes it less likely that the body will be able to clear the HPV infection. Because smoking weakens the immune system, it also increases the risk of cervical cancer in women with HPV. Quitting smoking or limiting tobacco exposure helps to reduce these risks.

TESTING and SCREENING

HPV testing is only available for people with a cervix – there is currently no test available for HPV for people with a penis. However, a doctor can diagnose genital warts for all people with a visual inspection during a physical exam.

For cervical cancer screening, a healthcare provider can perform a pap smear to check for abnormal cervical cells. In some cases, an HPV test may be used to check for the virus itself. If screening finds cervical cancer early, treatments are generally very successful. Everyone between the ages of 25 and 69 with a cervix should be screened for cervical cancer every 3 years.

TREATMENT

Unlike bacterial STIs, HPV is caused by a virus, so it cannot be cured with antibiotics. There is no cure or treatment for HPV. The body’s immune system will clear most HPV infections within several years. However, it is possible to get another HPV infection in the future, even if someone has already had one.

What can be treated are the signs of an HPV infection, such as genital warts and pre-cancerous or cancerous cells. If the results of a pap test are abnormal, a doctor will recommend more tests, procedures, follow-up care, and/or treatment.

External Links

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Provides information on HPV, including how it spreads, the cancers it can cause, and how vaccination and regular screening help prevent it.
CervixCheck | Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Saskatchewan’s cervical cancer screening program, providing information on pap tests and where to get screened.
HPV Information | SIECCAN
Offers evidence-based information and resources on HPV for educators and health professionals.
HPVinfo.ca
Canadian resource providing information on HPV, related cancers, and vaccination for patients and the public.
HPV | Sex & U
Resource from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada with information on HPV symptoms, transmission, and prevention.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Canadian Cancer Society
Explains what HPV is and its link to cervical and other cancers, as part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s broader cancer resources.
Public Health Offices | Government of Saskatchewan
Provides contact information and locations for public health offices across Saskatchewan, where residents can access immunizations and other public health services.

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