Incurable STDs - Infections

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - Genital Warts

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

1. What is it?
As the name indicates, this is a sexually transmitted virus infection. It can cause small growths or warts usually on the sex organs by which the contact has been made, but also on the anus. In women, HPV infections have been linked to cervical cancer. In both sexes they have even been linked to oral cancer.

2. What causes it?
The disease is caused by a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are many different types of HPVs, and some of them can cause genital warts, others may cause cancer.

3. How is it transmitted?
HPV infections are usually transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected person. Such a person does not necessarily have any warts or other visible symptoms. If warts are present, it may be enough to touch them to become infected, even without any sexual contact. The HP virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes and can infect another person through tiny lesions or breaks in the skin or mucous membranes.