Reframing HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection, yet conversations about it are often clouded by fear and stigma. By understanding how the virus behaves, how it’s monitored, and how you can protect your health, you can approach an HPV diagnosis with knowledge rather than anxiety.

What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that infects epithelial cells, which are specialized cells that line internal and external body surfaces, most commonly affecting the skin and mucous membranes.  It is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, including oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, as well as other non-penetrative skin-to-skin contact.  

HPV can be transmitted by men and women. It is estimated that 75 percent of sexually active individuals will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime.  

In addition to being transmitted sexually, the virus can also be vertically transmitted from  mother to child during labour. However, this form of transmission is rare.

It is important to note that many strains of HPV exist, with some more likely to cause cancers than others. For example, high-risk strains (such as HPV-16) are strongly associated with the development of cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, while lower-risk strains (such as HPV-6) are associated with benign presentations, including genital warts. HPV infections are often asymptomatic, meaning that the virus is present in the body without showing overt signs and symptoms, which is especially true for males. 

How do you manage HPV?

HPV cannot be treated; however, 90 percent of HPV infections will resolve on their own within two years. For cases where HPV strains cause genital warts and lesions, these can be treated to improve comfort and appearance. If the body is unable to clear an HPV infection—particularly one caused by a high-risk strain—the risk of developing certain cancers increases over time. That’s why regular screening and working with a healthcare practitioner to monitor and manage HPV are so important.

While HPV is most often self-resolving, we can’t discount the positive implications of a healthy, lifestyle and robust immune system. Engaging in regular physical activity and eating a well-balanced diet can reduce the risk of HPV infection and the progression of an HPV infection to cancer by supporting a healthy immune system that can promote viral clearance. 

“While optimal nutrition and exercise can support a healthy functioning immune system and reduce systemic inflammation, these factors are not the whole story for many as HPV can still infect those with optimal foundations of health,” says Natalie DiIlio, ND. Taking care of your overall well-being should be seen as a supportive management and prevention strategy rather than a treatment or cure. 

Prevention and monitoring strategies

Discussing HPV prevention and cervical screening with your healthcare practitioner is critical. Some HPV strains can infect the cells of the cervix, and when high-risk HPV strains are left untreated and persist in these cells, invasive cervical cancer can result. 

Women in Canada can undergo cervical screening to detect precancerous cervical lesions with two different tests: the Papanicolaou (Pap) test or HPV nucleic acid test. These screening tests are incredibly important as almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV: 

• The Pap test tests for abnormal cervical cells caused by an HPV infection.
• An HPV test detects cancer-causing HPV strains directly. 

In 2025, Ontario joined a growing number of Canadian jurisdictions by replacing the traditional Pap test with HPV testing as the primary method of cervical cancer screening. BC and PEI had already adopted HPV-based screening, reflecting a broader national shift toward more sensitive testing that can identify cancer risk earlier and reduce unnecessary follow-up procedures. 

HPV testing is typically done every five years (three if immunocompromised) for sexually active individuals aged 25 and older who receive a negative test result. Those who screen positive are typically screened every two years. 

In addition to staying on schedule with routine cervical screenings, it is also important to discuss other prevention strategies such as safer-sex practices and vaccination with your healthcare practitioner. These are additional preventative measures that can protect you from HPV. 

It is important not to feel shame, guilt, or fear if you receive an HPV diagnosis. While these feelings are normal and common for a patient with a new diagnosis, it is important to know that there are effective management strategies and measures to support you. 

This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue of alive magazine.