You can get HPV by having sex with someone who is infected with HPV. This disease is spread easily through genital contact during anal and vaginal sex. HPV may also be spread through oral sex or other close skin-to-skin touching during sex. HPV can be spread even when an infected person has no visible signs or symptoms.
Since HPV usually causes no symptoms, most men and women can get HPV and pass it on without realizing it. People can have HPV even if it has been years since they have had sex. Even men with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV.