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