HPV: Human Papillomavirus
What is HPV?
HPV is a common virus that affects men and women. There are at least 100 different strains of the virus, and about 30 of these are sexually transmitted and can infect the genital area.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United Sates. As many as 20 million Americans are already infected with HPV, and there are more than 6 million new infections diagnosed each year.
HPV can cause changes to the cells of the cervix, penis, and anus. Some types of HPV cause genital warts and other cellular changes that are benign (abnormal but noncancerous). Certain strains of HPV have been shown to cause cervical, penile and anal cancer. The vast majority of people with HPV infection have no symptoms at all.
Genital warts
Genital warts, or condyloma, are one kind of lesion caused by HPV. The lesion or growth can appear on the shaft or head of the penis or on the vagina, vulva, or cervix. Genital warts can also appear around the anus and urethra in both men and women and are sometimes even found in the mouth and throat. In many cases, warts are not visible to the naked eye. In other cases they can appear as soft, moist, pink or red swelling. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some cluster together forming a cauliflower like shape. Although genital warts are usually painless, they may become sore, itch, or burn if hit, rubbed, irritated, or ignored for a long period of time. The strains of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as the strains that have been linked to cervical cancer.
Cell change – subclinical HPV infection
(HPV infection without warts)
Cervical cell changes called dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are lesions initiated by HPV. Intraepithelial neoplasia also may occur in the vagina or vulva, the penis, or in the anus. These lesions generally have no physical signs or symptoms.
Want to know more?
Read about:
HPV transmission
HPV diagnosis
HPV treatment
HPV prevention
HPV resources
Reviewed by the Office of Health Promotion, August 2007.