Human Papilloma Virus
Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that
is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus is the
name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different
strains or types.
More than 30 of these viruses are sexually
transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women
including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), or
anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum. Most people who
become infected with HPV will not have any symptoms and will clear the
infection on their own.
Some of these viruses are called "high-risk" types, and may cause abnormal Pap tests. They may also lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis.
Others are called "low-risk" types, and they may cause mild Pap test abnormalities or genital warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area, and sometimes are cauliflower shaped.
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