What does human Papillomavirus cause?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes. There are over 100 types of HPV, and some types can cause warts, while others can lead to cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancer. Genital HPV infection can also increase your risk of developing throat and head and neck cancers, including cancer of the tonsils and the base of the tongue.