Overview of HPV

What is HPV?

The Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common family of viruses. HPV is also the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world today.

Chances are your child will contract some form of the HPV virus at some point in their life and that their will be any signs or symptoms. In fact, chances are your child will have no problems at all from the HPV virus.

But what your child needs to know is that all types of the HPV virus can persist. Some types are considered "low risk" and "high risk" and may lead to genital and anal warts. These can cause pre-cancerous lesions and cancer in the vulva, vagina, cervix and have been linked to anal and other genital areas.

Is there more than one type of HPV?

There are over 100 different types of the HPV virus. Most types are totally harmless, cause no signs or symptoms and actually clear up by themselves.

Over 40 other types of the HPV virus are sexually transmitted and affect the area on or between the genitals and the anus. Some low risk types of the HPV virus cause common skin warts and plantar warts (warts on the soles of the feet). There are 15 high risk types of HPV (such as type 16 and type 18) can cause pre-cancerous lesions that may lead to vaginal, vulvar and cervical cancer and have been linked to anal cancer and other genital cancers.

How can your child contract the HPV virus?

The HPV virus can infect anyone who has ever had a sexual encounter even without actual intercourse and penetration. The most common transmission is by skin-to-skin contact with the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, or anus of an infected person. Kissing or touching a partner's genitals with the mouth can also transmit the HPV virus.

Using a condom is an excellent first line of defence against sexually transmitted infections. Your child needs to know that condoms cannot cover all the skin surfaces around the genitals and the anus, and does not guarantee complete protection against HPV.