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Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection. This virus can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

  1. Types

    • Two types of HPV are known. Low-risk types of HPV infection can have no symptoms or may cause warts. High-risk types of HPV can cause cervical cancer.

    Transmission

    • Transmission of HPV is most commonly through sexual contact. The virus is not carried in bodily fluids; it is passed along via physical skin contact.

    Symptoms

    • In some cases, HPV infection can occur with no symptoms. Strains of HPV are known to cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

    Prevention

    • The HPV vaccine helps to prevent certain strains of HPV. Safe-sex practices and limiting sexual partners can help reduce the risk of transmission of other strains of HPV.

    Treatment

    • No direct treatment for HPV is available. In many cases, the body's immune system will fight and eliminate the infection on its own.

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