What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause wart-like growths on the genitals. There are many types of HPV, and some types do not cause growths. HPV is a virus which infects the cells of the skin and genital mucosa.
What causes HPV?
HPV infection occurs when a type of HPV virus enters a body through a break in the skin or other body surface. HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. HPV types that affect the genitals are transmitted by vaginal, anal, or oral sex or other skin-to-skin contact involving the genital region.
How is HPV treated?
HPV treatment differs between men and women. In women, HPV causes changes to occur in the cervix that could potentially become cancerous. The Pap smear is a woman’s best method for detecting these changes. Men may not display any HPV symptoms, except for genital warts. These warts are normally treated with an in office topical treatment.
For more information about HPV…