HPV is common. It’s still worth taking seriously.

Published April 14, 2026

Most people will get HPV, and most will never know. There are usually no symptoms, and in many cases, it clears on its own. But when it doesn’t, over time it can lead to cervical cancer.¹ Routine screening is crucial for early detection and prevention, yet 1 in 4 women aren’t up-to-date.² Self-collection, a newer approach to HPV testing, is helping change that.

What is HPV?

Genital HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the US. There are over 100 types of HPV. Each type has a number and is classified as low-risk or high-risk based on its ability to cause cancer. In most cases, the body's immune system clears the virus on its own within a couple of years without causing any health problems.¹,³

How does HPV spread and who can get it?

Unlike some other STIs, genital HPV isn’t spread through blood or body fluids. It’s passed through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most often during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There may be other ways HPV spreads that aren’t yet fully understood. 

HPV is highly contagious. About 13 million people in the US get it each year, and most sexually active people will have it at some point, often without ever knowing it. Anyone who has sex or close, intimate contact with someone who has the virus can get HPV. It can spread even when the person has no signs or symptoms.¹,³

How do I know if I have it?

Most people with genital HPV don’t know they have it unless they’re tested or develop symptoms. The immune system typically clears HPV within a few years. But sometimes, it doesn’t.

If symptoms do appear, they vary depending on the type of genital HPV. 

Low-risk types of HPV rarely cause cancer but can cause genital warts. These warts may look like bumps or skin tags and appear alone or in clusters. They can be flat or raised, small or large, and may be itchy or very uncomfortable. Genital warts can show up weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection. 

High-risk types of HPV usually don’t cause symptoms early on. These types are linked to certain cancers, including cervical cancer. Because early cervical changes caused by HPV often don’t cause symptoms, testing is essential. HPV testing can detect high-risk types that may lead to cervical cancer if the infection doesn’t clear over time or is left untreated.³,⁴

How can HPV lead to cervical cancer over time? 

When a high-risk HPV infection persists, it can stay in the cervix and begin to affect how cervical cells behave. Instead of growing in a controlled and organized way, some cells start to change and grow in abnormal ways. 

These changes are called cervical dysplasia, also known as cervical precancer. The cells aren’t cancer, but they have the potential to develop into cancer over time if the infection persists or goes untreated. Cervical precancer usually doesn’t cause pain or other symptoms, which is why many people don’t know it’s there. It’s typically found through routine screening. 

Research shows this process happens slowly. It can take about 5 to 10 years for HPV-related cell changes to develop into cervical precancer, and longer to progress to cervical cancer. That’s why screening matters.⁷,⁸

How is HPV linked to cervical cancer? 

More than 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by high-risk HPV infection.⁵ There are 14 high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68).⁶ Of those, HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for most HPV-related cancers. Because this link is so strong, testing focuses on detecting high-risk HPV types.⁷

Why might someone choose self-collection for HPV testing? 

Cervical cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer, but many people aren’t up-to-date with testing.² For some, a traditional pelvic exam may not be possible, comfortable, or preferred. Self-collection offers another way to get screened.¹¹

The FDA has approved options for people to self-collect a vaginal sample for HPV testing if they cannot have or don’t want a pelvic exam. In December 2025, the American Cancer Society updated its cervical cancer screening guidelines to include self-collected vaginal samples, whether done privately in a clinic or at home, as an acceptable option for HPV testing.¹¹

With self-collection, you collect your own vaginal sample using a soft swab. No pelvic exam, no speculum, no need to find your cervix. It’s quick, done in private, and you’re in control of the process. 

What is the Quest HPV Test for Cervical Cancer Risk? Is it right for me?

The Quest HPV Test for Cervical Cancer Risk detects 14 high-risk HPV types using a vaginal sample you collect yourself. Testing for these types is important to help you and your healthcare provider understand your risk for cervical cancer and, if necessary, determine next steps. View test

This test is for routine cervical cancer screening based on established medical guidelines. For some people, self-collection may make screening more comfortable and accessible. 

This test may be right for you if

• A traditional pelvic exam isn’t an option or isn’t right for you
• You prefer the privacy of collecting your own sample
• You haven’t been tested for HPV within the last 5 years, or you’re not sure when you were last tested

In some situations, a provider-collected sample or a full exam may still be recommended. Your healthcare provider can help guide what’s right for you, including how often to get screened. 

After receiving your results, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider to discuss what they mean and work together on next steps.