Who gets sexually transmitted HPV?

Anyone who has ever had genital contact (not necessarily intercourse) can contract HPV. HPV can live on the skin surrounding the genitals, inside the mucous membranes of the genital tract, in the mouth or throat, and in the anus. Because HPV is so common and often has no symptoms, many people are exposed without knowing it.

The risk of HPV transmission can be reduced through vaccination, limiting the number of sexual partners, and using barrier protection such as condoms or dental dams, although these methods do not eliminate risk entirely.