HPV transmits by contact. Commonly, people assume it as an STD. However, sexual intercourse is not the only way of transmission. Vaginal, oral and anal sex and skin-to-skin contact transmits HPV from one partner to another. An HPV-infected mother can transmit the infection to her baby during delivery. In such case, the baby often develops HPV-related warts in the airway resulting in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.