• It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world.
• There are more than 100 types of HPV; more than 30 types are sexually transmitted.
• It is estimated that about 75% of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection during their lifetime.

• Genital warts are the most easily recognized sign of genital HPV infection (see signs and symptoms).

• It is very contagious.
• It is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, which may occur during close sexual contact (not limited to vaginal, anal or oral sex) with someone who has the virus.
• Some people may have no signs of infection and still pass the virus on to others.
• About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop warts, usually within 3 months.
• HPV can also infect the mouth and throat of men and women.

• Health professionals can diagnose warts using your medical history and a physical examination. 
• HPV infection can be identified through a Pap smear (a screening test for abnormal cells of the cervix).
• Sexually active females should have regular Pap tests.
• Currently, there is no test to find HPV infection in men.

• Limit the number of sexual partners you have.
• Use a condom during sex or a dental dam during oral sex. This will help to protect you and your partner against HPV and other STIs.
• Avoid sexual contact if you or your partner have symptoms or are being treated for an STI.
• Get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine is almost 100% effective against the HPV types in the vaccine. For more information on the vaccine, refer to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health's fact sheet on Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

• Most people infected with HPV don‘t have symptoms.
• In others, symptoms are often so mild they don't know they are infected and may still pass the virus on to others.
• Genital warts are usually flesh-colored or white. They can be different sizes and shapes. 
• They may look like a raised small cauliflower or may be flat. 
• Like other kinds of warts, they may appear individually or in a cluster.
• In males, they can be found on the scrotum, penis or around the anus.
• In females, they may be on the vulva or around the vagina or anus or they may be hidden inside the vagina or on the cervix.
• Genital warts may cause pain, itching and bleeding.

• Treatment may not be needed; about 80% of infections clear on their own.
• Your physician can treat genital warts; the warts can be frozen, burned or treated with a laser or removed in surgery. 
• Genital warts should not be treated with non-prescription wart removal products.
• Treatments can get rid of the warts but they don't get rid of the virus. Because the virus is still in your body, the warts can come back.

• Some types of HPV can cause cancer of the cervix in females.
• Other types are associated with cancers such as vulvar, anal, oral or cancer of the penis. It can also cause cancer of the head and neck.
• Genital warts can cause problems during pregnancy because they may increase in size, bleed or become infected. Rarely, a baby born to a woman with genital warts may develop warts in their throat.

• People who have or whose partner has had more than one sexual partner.
• People who do not use condoms every time they have sex or genital contact.
• People with a weakened immune system that make it hard for the body to fight infections.

For more information contact:
your local public health office,
OR your physician or nurse practitioner,
OR HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002,
OR see RELATED LINKS below for a sexual health clinic: