Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent, with estimates of up to 30 million new HPV infections worldwide each year. HPV infection has been shown to be associated with the development of cervical cancer and condyloma acuminatum. However, because HPV infection is self-limiting, does HPV infection require treatment? For this reason, we have compiled the latest CDC guidelines for the treatment of HPV infection published in June 2015 to help patients. Anal and genital HPV infections are very common and usually infect the anus and genital area, but can also infect other areas such as the mouth and throat. Although most people never notice the presence of HPV, many sexually active people have been infected with HPV. HPV infection usually occurs simultaneously between sexual partners, but it is not possible to determine who was first infected with HPV. In most people who are infected with HPV, the virus clears on its own and there are no associated health problems. However, if the HPV infection does not clear up on its own, warts, precancerous or cancerous lesions may develop on the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, head and neck. The types of HPV that cause warts are different from the types of HPV that cause cancer. Most HPV types are transmitted through anal-genital contact and occur primarily during vaginal and anal sex. HPV can be transmitted during direct “genital-genital” contact, even in the absence of penetrative sex or oral sex. In rare cases, HPV can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby during delivery. HPV infection does not affect a woman’s ability to conceive and does not cause a pregnancy to be terminated. However, HPV can cause certain cancers or precancerous lesions that require appropriate treatment. These treatments may reduce a woman’s ability to conceive or make delivery more difficult. Treatment is for the disease caused by HPV, not for the virus itself. There are no HPV tests that can determine which HPV infections will clear up on their own and which ones will worsen. However, in some cases, HPV tests can determine whether a woman is at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. These tests are neither intended to check for other HPV-related problems, nor are they applicable to women younger than 25 years of age and to men of all ages.