Understanding HPV: Symptoms, Types, and Transmission

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. HPV is a general term for a group of over 100 viruses that are spread through skin-to-skin contact in which a virus enters the body through a scrape or cut in the skin. HPV may occur with or without symptoms, and the symptoms vary depending on which specific virus is contracted.

Genital Warts

• Genital warts are a symptom of sexually transmitted HPV. These warts can appear on the penis, vagina, anus and other surrounding areas.

Genital Lesions

• HPV can cause abnormal cells to grow in the genital area. These lesions can be low-grade or high-grade pre-malignancies. Low-grade lesions usually revert back into normal cells, whereas high-grade lesions often develop into cancer.

Other Warts

• Common warts, plantar warts and flat warts can all be caused by human papillomavirus. These warts, which can appear anywhere on the body, are contracted when a person comes into contact with the virus through a number of possible ways such as sharing razors or towels.

Oral and Upper Respiratory Lesions

• Another symptom of HPV is the growth of abnormal cells (in the form of warts or lesions) in the areas of the mouth, throat and nose.

Cancer

• Cancer of the reproductive areas can be a symptom of HPV. Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer that is caused by this virus.