Can You Catch HPV on Public Transport? Breaking Down 4 Major Myths

Social media posts claim public transport seats are a source of HPV transmission, but the genital HPV types linked to cervical cancer are mainly spread through sexual contact and close skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, and normal clothed travel on public transport will not cause infection. HPV survival after leaving the human body is affected by factors such as temperature and humidity, and surface testing alone cannot establish that seats are a transmission route. Bringing your own seat cover is not an HPV prevention measure; the key to prevention is vaccination, regular cervical screening and safer sex.