How frequent are HPV infections in the population?

HPV infections are very frequent. They are the most frequent sexually transmitted infections.

Many estimates have placed the lifetime likelihood of getting genital HPV to be in the range of 75-90%. The highest rates of active infection on the cervix by one or more types of HPV are found in young women aged 18-25 years old and range between 25% and 35%. This is explained by the frequent change of sexual partners.

The risk of exposure to HPV is estimated to be approximately 12-25% per partner.

The rates of active infections drop significantly as the age increases (5-10% in women 40-50 years old). In the majority of cases with HPV infections there are only subclinical lesions that cannot be seen with the “naked” eye.

Approximately 1-3% of the population has genital warts, and the lifetime risk is estimated to be about 10%.