How Long Can HPV Be Dormant? Facts And Myths - Healthline

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Sexual Health

Can HPV Be Dormant?

Medically reviewed by Ketan Patel, MD — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on October 1, 2025

HPV dormancy
Risk factors
Myths
Prevention
Takeaway

HPV can lay dormant for many years after you contract it, and you may never experience symptoms. It is so common that most people who are sexually active will get it at some point and not realize they have it.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection spread by skin-to-skin contact. About 80 million Americans are estimated to have HPV. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Most types of HPV — there are more than 100 — don’t show any symptoms and go away without needing treatment.

HPV, like most viruses, goes through a dormancy period where it doesn’t cause any symptoms inside or outside the body. Some types of HPV can be dormant for years before someone develops symptoms or finds out they have it.

How long can HPV lay dormant?

HPV can lay dormant for many years after a person contracts the virus, even if symptoms never occur.

Most cases of HPV clear within two years as the immune system fights off and eliminates the virus from the body. After that, the virus disappears, and it can’t be transmitted to other people.

In extreme cases, HPV may lay dormant in the body for many years or even decades. During this time, the virus is always reproducing within cells, and it can spread even if there are no symptoms.

This is also why it’s possible to test positive for HPV even if it has been dormant for years.

Getting tested is crucial because it’s possible to transmit HPV from one partner to all partners for a decade or more.

»Learn more:HPV Tests: Everything You Need to Know

Risk factors for HPV

HPV can spread easily when partners have sex without a condom or other barrier method, even if the virus is dormant. This is because the viral material still lives inside the cells in the area where the virus was contracted.

During sexual activity, a partner may be directly exposed to these cells, which can then pass the viral material into their bodies.

Here are some risk factors for HPV:

How old you are. If you have HPV when you’re young, you’ll probably have regular warts. Genital warts tend to happen when you’re a teenager or young adult.
A weak immune system. If your immune system is weakened from illness, conditions like HIV, or immunosuppressant medications, you may be more likely to contract and transmit HPV.
Skin damage. Warts are more likely to occur where skin has been cut open or injured.
Touching infected surfaces. Touching a wart or a surface that HPV has come into contact with, like a pool or shower, can increase likelihood of infection.

Complications of HPV

If HPV is present or dormant, complications may occur. Possible complications include:

Transmission to children. It’s rare but possible to spread HPV to children when they’re born.
Cancer. Certain types of HPV may increase your risk of certain cancers, such as penile or cervical cancer.

Dormant HPV myths

Not everything you read online or from others is true. Here are some myths about HPV that you shouldn’t believe:

Myth	Fact
Someone can’t get HPV if their sexual partner doesn’t have symptoms.	Symptoms don’t need to be present to contract the virus.
HPV can’t be transmitted through sex between two people with vulvas.	It can be transmitted from any sexual activity or exchange of fluids.
You can’t have HPV if you don’t have symptoms.	You can still have the virus, it just might be dormant.
A condom prevents the spread of dormant HPV.	While uncommon, HPV may still spread, especially if a condom or other barrier method isn’t used correctly.
HPV only affects people with vulvas.	It affects people of all sexes. In some studies, people with penises were more likely to have HPV.

Preventing the spread of HPV

Here’s how to prevent the spread of HPV:

Get vaccinated. The CDC recommends that adolescents receive the vaccine around age 11 or 12, or before you become sexually active. You can still get the vaccine until age 45.
Use barrier methods whenever you have sex. This includes consistent and correct use of barrier methods such as condoms, or anything that protects from direct genital contact.
Avoid sex if warts are present. If there’s an active infection, it’s still possible for the virus to spread even if a condom is worn.
Don’t share personal items that make contact with genitals. This includes towels.
Tell sexual partners about HPV status before sexual activity. Ask your partners to let you know if they have any STIs. Ideally, get tested before having sex.

»Learn more:How to Talk to Your Partner About HPV

Takeaway

HPV can lay dormant for a long time and still spread without symptoms.

Getting tested regularly for STIs is important to prevent the spread of these infections. This should be done whenever you have a new partner or if your partners are having sex with anyone else.

Knowing your HPV status can help prevent complications and the transmission of HPV.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About genital HPV infection. (2025).https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-genital-hpv-infection.html
Human papillomavirus. (2025).https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/human-papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV). (n.d.).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/
HPV (human papillomavirus). (2023).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/hpv-human-papillomavirus
Luria L, et al. (2023). Human papillomavirus.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/

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Medically reviewed by Ketan Patel, MD — Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on October 1, 2025

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