Who gets sexually transmitted HPV?

Anyone who has ever had genital contact (not necessarily sex) can contract HPV. HPV can live in the skin surrounding the genitals, live inside the mucous membranes of the genital tract, live in the mouth or throat, and live in the anus. The best way to avoid l contact with HPV is to engage in sexual activity with only one individual – the same individual who has only engaged in sexual contact with you.