What causes human papillomavirus infection?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a contagious virus transmitted through direct contact, including sexual contact. People may have HPV for months or years without knowing they have it and without experiencing any problems, and they may unknowingly pass it along to others. It is possible to be infected with more than one type of HPV.
What are the risk factors for human papillomavirus infection?
A number of factors increase the risk of developing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Not all people with risk factors will get HPV. Risk factors for HPV infection include:
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Contact with (touching) genital or skin warts of others
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Many sexual partners
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Unprotected sex (without the proper use of condoms)
Reducing your risk of human papillomavirus infection
You may be able to lower your risk of HPV infection by:
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Avoiding contact with warts on other people
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Avoiding unprotected sex. The use of condoms can limit the transmission of HPV.
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Quitting smoking, as smoking has been found to be associated with an increased risk of HPV infection and related cancers
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Reducing your number of sexual partners
Two vaccines are available for the prevention of the HPV types most commonly associated with cervical cancers, as well as genital warts: Cervarix and Gardasil. Both prevent infection with the types of high-risk HPVs most commonly associated with cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against the virus types that most commonly cause genital warts.
Cervarix and Gardasil are available for girls as young as age nine, and they can be given to women up to age 26 who did not have the vaccination when they were younger. Gardasil can be given to boys and men between the ages of nine and 26 for the prevention of genital warts.
INTRODUCTION
What is human papillomavirus?
The human papillomaviruses (also known as HPV) are a group of more than 150 viruses, 40 of which are known to infect the genital areas. Other types infect the skin and the lining of the throat. It is possible to be infected with HPV without knowing you have it, and the majority of infections do not produce any symptoms. HPV affects both men and women and can cause warts, or papillomas, on ...
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SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of human papillomavirus infection?
Symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection include the appearance of warts that may vary in size from small to large and may be raised, flat, or cauliflower shaped. Warts can appear on the skin (cutaneous warts), in the throat (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis), or in the genital areas. Left untreated, warts may persist, disappear, or increase in size and number. Many cases of HPV do not cause symptoms and resolve by themselves without treatment....
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TREATMENTS
How is human papillomavirus infection treated?
Currently, there is no cure for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The majority of HPV cases resolve on their own, but flare-ups of skin or genital warts may occur. The warts can be removed by a physician using chemical or laser treatments, or they may disappear on their own....
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