HPV Transmission

HPV is easy to transmit!

8 out of 10 adults will come into contact with HPV.⁹
Sexual intercourse is not the only way for HPV to be acquired or transmitted.^{7, 10}
HPV is spread mainly by direct skin-to-skin contact.^{8, 9, 10}
It can spread through many types of genital contact.^{8, 9, 10}
Transmission from mother to newborn during delivery is rare, but it can happen.²
There is no way to know who has been in contact with the virus based on history of relationships or activities.¹⁰
No-one can predict who will be infected with HPV in the future, who will clear the infection and who will succumb to HPV disease.⁸
Individuals can acquire HPV from others who are infected but who don’t have visible disease or lesions.¹¹
It may take only one encounter to be infected with HPV.¹⁰
Adults may not remain with the same partner due to separation, infidelity or death of a spouse.¹²
SA has one of the highest sexual crimes rate in the world.¹³