Who is at risk for HPV infection?
HPV infection is more common in younger age groups, particularly among women in their late teens and twenties.
Because HPVs are spread mainly through sexual contact, risk increases with number of sexual partners. Women who become sexually active at a young age, who have multiple sexual partners, and whose sexual partners have other partners are at increased risk.
Women who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are also at higher risk for being infected with HPVs and for developing cervical abnormalities.
Nonsexual transmission of HPVs is rare. The virus often disappears but sometimes remains detectable for years after infection.
Does infection with a cancer-associated type of HPV always lead to a precancerous condition or cancer?
No. Most HPV infections appear to go away on their own without causing any kind of abnormality. However, persistent infection with cancer-associated HPV types increases the risk that mild abnormalities will progress to more severe abnormalities or cervical cancer.
With regular followup care by trained clinicians, women with precancerous cervical abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops.
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