It’s an HPV. Because the letter H starts with a vowel sound (similar to "eich"), we use "an" before the abbreviation HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).

It’s an HPV. Because the letter H starts with a vowel sound (similar to "eich"), we use "an" before the abbreviation HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Thus, we say "an HPV infection", "an HPV vaccine", "an HPV test", "an HPV prevalence", etc.

During an HPV test, your doctor uses a metal or plastic speculum.

During a HPV test, your doctor uses a metal or plastic speculum.

Remember, when choosing between a and an, it's the sound, and not the spelling, which is important.

Who needs an HPV vaccine?

Since we pronounce HPV as individual letters, it takes the indefinite article "an".

An HPV infection is typically transmitted sexually or through skin-to-skin contact.

Similarly, we say an H, an HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), an HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), an HTML, and an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).