Definition of Papilloma Virus

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) may be the most common sexually transmitted virus. HPV infections occur on the genitals of both males and females. There are no less than 70 types of HPV, according to the American Social Health Association. HPV infects the skin of the penis, the area outside of the vagina, and the lining of the anus, vagina, cervix and rectum. Warts may also appear on other parts of the body, like the hands and feet. Because you cannot see human papillomavirus, most people do not even know they have it.

Symptoms

• Some people exhibit no symptoms nor heath complications. Some forms of HPV can cause genital warts to develop in males and females. And other HPV strains can cause cervical cancer and other cancers of the penis, vagina and rectum.

A Cure

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 90 percent of HPV cases, the infection clears up on its own within two years. The immune system can clear both "low-risk" (those that cause warts) and "high-risk" (viruses that cause cancer) HPV infections.

Diagnosing HPV

• There is no general screening method at this time to test for HPV. If an individual develops genital warts, a doctor will examine the infected skin to determine the cause. If a routine Pap test picks up abnormal cervical cells, an HPV test can determine if the cells are in an early stage of cancer.

Preventing HPV

• For those who are sexually active, condoms remain the best defense against all sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV. A new, but controversial, vaccination for preventing the HPV virus in young girls is now on the market. Although the vaccine's goal is to prevent girls from developing cervical cancer, some people are outraged at the thought of inoculating teen girls against a sexually transmitted disease.

Prevalence

• Each year, HPV infects about 6.2 million people. About 50 percent of sexually active people contract HPV at least once in their lives.