HPV Signs and Symptoms
HPV (human papillomavirus) can cause different health problems depending on the type of HPV a person has.
The high-risk HPV types that can cause cancer do not usually cause symptoms, but they can be found with HPV testing. Other types of HPV can cause warts on various parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
HPV infection does not usually cause symptoms. If it does, the symptoms will depend on the type of HPV a person has and where the infection is on their body. Certain people, such as those with weakened immune systems, are more likely to experience symptoms from HPV.
Warts on the skin
HPV types that live on the skin can cause warts on areas such as the arms, chest, hands, or feet.
Genital warts
HPV 6 and HPV 11 can sometimes cause cauliflower-shaped warts around the genitals or anus.
Certain cancers
High-risk HPV types can eventually cause some types of cancer.
These include:
- Anal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Oropharyngeal (throat) cancers
- Penile cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
How does a person know if they have HPV?
Some people learn they have HPV because they develop warts on their body or genitals. These types of HPV usually do not cause cancer.
Screening for HPV types that can cause cancer
HPV often does not cause symptoms. Many women and people with a cervix do not know they have it until it is found during cervical cancer screening.
Men are not usually tested for HPV unless they are at high risk of anal cancer. The American Cancer Society does not have a guideline for the early detection of anal cancer.
Most high-risk HPV infections do not cause symptoms and clear on their own within a couple of years. Some infections can last longer and cause cell changes that may eventually lead to cancer. These infections can be monitored with regular follow-up testing. If symptoms develop, these infections can be treated to prevent cancer from forming.
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- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About genital HPV infection. 2025. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-genital-hpv-infection.html on September 3, 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About HPV. 2025. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/about/index.html on September 3, 2026.
Fontham ETH, Wolf AMD, Church TR, et al. Cervical cancer screening for individuals at average risk: 2020 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020. doi:10.3322/caac.21628
National Cancer Institute (NCI). HPV and cancer. 2025. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer on September 3, 2026.
Palefsky JM, Brickman C. Screening for anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and anal cancer in high-risk populations. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/screening-for-anal-squamous-intraepithelial-lesions-and-anal-cancer-in-high-risk-populations on September 3, 2026.
Wright JD. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: Management. UpToDate. 2026. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cervical-intraepithelial-neoplasia-management on September 3, 2026.
Last Revised: September 3, 2026
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