Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV Infection)
A type of virus that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, warts) and other changes to cells. Infection for a long time with certain types of human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus may also play a role in some other types of cancer.
Part of: Viral Infections
About HPV Infection
Human papillomaviruses, or HPV for short, are so common that most men and women will become infected at some point in their lives. These infections do not usually cause any problems. But some types of HPV can cause harmless warts, and others increase the risk of cervical cancer.
Papillomaviruses are germs that can cause inflammation and changes of the skin. Some of them only infect humans, which is why they are called human papillomaviruses (HPV). They probably get into the skin and mucous membranes through small cuts or wounds and then multiply inside the cells. HPV is transmitted by direct contact with infected areas of skin or mucous membrane. HPV infection usually goes unnoticed, does not cause any symptoms and clears up on its own.
More than 100 different types of HPV are currently known. Some cause warts on the skin (also called papillomas). About 40 types of HPV infect the skin in the genital area and are transmitted sexually. They are called “genital HPV“. Other types infect the face, hands or feet.
Genital HPV viruses can be differentiated into high-risk types (hrHPV) and low-risk types (lrHPV). Low-risk HPV can cause warts in the genital area, which are also called condylomas. Although they are often unpleasant, they are not dangerous. The most common types of lrHPV are HPV 6 and 11… Read more about Human Papillomavirus Infection