Vaccination, testing, and what you need to know.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is super common—so common that most sexually active people will encounter it at some point. Here's the thing: most of the time, your body clears it on its own, and you never know you had it. That said, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts or, rarely, cancers. That's why awareness and vaccination matter.
There are over 100 types of HPV. We mostly care about:
The good news? Modern vaccines protect against the high-risk types, and if you have genital warts, they're treatable.
Many people with HPV have no symptoms at all. If you do, you might notice:
For people with a cervix: Ireland offers free cervical screening (smear tests) through the CervicalCheck programme, which detects HPV and precancerous changes. You're invited from age 25 onwards.
For others: HPV testing is available through sexual health clinics if you're concerned about genital warts or have had exposure.
HPV vaccination is one of the best cancer prevention tools we have. In Ireland:
It's never too late to ask your clinic or GP about HPV vaccination.
If you have genital warts, treatment options include topical creams, cryotherapy (freezing), or laser removal. Your clinic can discuss which approach suits you. High-risk HPV is managed through regular screening, which catches any changes early.
Whether you want vaccination, screening, or have concerns about warts, Irish sexual health services are here. Check our directory for clinics near you.