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HPV Virus: Symptoms, Testing, Prevention and Vaccination
Learn about Human Papillomavirus (HPV), its symptoms, how it spreads, prevention tips, vaccination, and testing options. Protect yourself from HPV and cervical cancer today.
What is HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that lives on the skin and mucous membranes of both men and women. Most people who have sex will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives, often without showing any symptoms.
Because HPV infection often has no signs or symptoms, most infected people do not know that they have HPV.
How many strains of HPV are there?
There are over 100 different types of HPV.
There are several strains of HPV that are higher risk for causing cervical cancer:
- HPV 16 and 18 cause about 70% of all cervical cancers
- HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 cause an additional 20% of cervical cancers
- HPV types 16 and 18 also cause almost 90 percent of anal cancers and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancer, and penile cancer
HPV types 6 and 11 cause approximately 90 percent of anogenital warts.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly during sexual activity —
including both penetrative and non-penetrative contact.
Nearly 8 in 10 people will get HPV at some point in their lives. Because HPV is so common, getting it is considered a natural part of being sexually active, regardless of sexual practices or number of partners.
HPV can stay dormant for months or even years, so there’s no way to tell when it was acquired or from whom.
What are the symptoms of a HPV infection?
Many HPV infections do not cause symptoms, which is why screening is important. Possible signs include:
- Genital warts: Small growths on the genital or anal area
- Oral warts: Warts can rarely occur in the mouth or throat.
- Abnormal cervical cells: Detected only via cervical cancer screening
- Advanced cervical cancer: Symptoms may include abnormal bleeding, pain during sex, or unusual vaginal discharge.
How is HPV treated?
There is no treatment to cure HPV.
In about 90% of cases, the body clears the virus on its own without treatment. However, some types can persist and may lead to genital warts or cervical cancer.
Genital warts can be treated with topical medications or procedures like cryotherapy or electrocautery. However, as no treatment completely eradicates HPV, it may continue lying dormant in the skin and mucosal cells.
How does HPV cause Cervical Cancer?
Most HPV infections are temporary and cleared by the immune system. However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can cause changes in the cervical cells. Over time, these changes can progress into cervical cancer if left untreated.
Cervical cancer often develops slowly, which is why regular screening is crucial for early detection and prevention.
How do I prevent HPV infection?
The main way to prevent HPV is through vaccination.
There are 2 types of HPV vaccines:
- Cervarix
- Protects against 2 HPV subtypes 16 and 18, which account for 70% of all cervical cancers
- Cervarix is approved for use in women aged 9-26 years
- Cervarix
- Gardasil 9
- Protects against 9 HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
- Gardasil 9 is approved for use in both men and women aged 9-45 years
- Gardasil 9
Who Should get Vaccinated?
- All females aged 9-26 are strongly recommended to get the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer
- Females aged 26-45 can still be given the vaccination, although it may be less effective given that the likelihood of exposure to HPV increases with age
- Males who are at higher risk of getting HPV
- Have a discussion with your family doctor to decide if you should get the HPV vaccine
Is the HPV Vaccine subsidized?
The Cervarix vaccine is fully subsidised for girls in secondary schools in Singapore under the National School-Based HPV Programme.
The Cervarix vaccine is also subsidised for young women up to 26 years of age at our clinics under CHAS.
How to I test for HPV?
Regular tests to check for HPV are recommended as part of cervical cancer screening. Women aged 30 to 69 are recommended to undergo HPV testing once every 5 years, as long as they have been sexually before. These tests are also recommended to those who have been vaccinated.
Is the HPV test subsidized?
Standalone HPV testing at private clinics typically costs around $200.
At our clinics, the HPV test is subsidised under CHAS, with out-of-pocket costs ranging from $2 to $5, depending on your CHAS tier. This subsidised fee covers both the initial HPV test and a follow-up consultation to review your results.
For Healthier SG enrollees, the HPV test is fully subsidised by the government when done at your enrolled clinic.
Take charge of your cervical health today!
Speak to our clinic team or book an appointment to find out if you are eligible for subsidised HPV screening.
Author
Dr Amaris Lim
MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), GDip (Sports Med)
Dr Amaris is a Family Physician at Frontier Healthcare with a special interest in Sports Medicine. She also contributes as one of the Core Faculty for the Family Medicine Residency Program with the National University Health System (NUHS). She currently practices at Canberra and Bukit Batok.
