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What is HPV?

Infects the body inside and outside

The human papillomavirus or HPV is one of the most common family of viruses in the world today. HPV is also the world’s leading sexually transmitted infection and is transmitted by skin-to-skin (including sexual) contact. HPV infects cells inside and outside of the body. These include surfaces of the skin, lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, penis, cervix, and anus. (see appendix of photos)

Most people who get HPV don’t have any signs or symptoms and may unknowingly spread the disease. HPV is not related to HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus, which can cause AIDS). However, people with HIV have weakened immune systems and are therefore likely to be infected with various germs, including one or more types of HPV.

Different health risks caused by different types

There are many different types of HPV viruses. Over 80 types of HPV have been
identified reliably but researchers believe there are over 200. Some types of HPV can cause common skin warts and plantar warts, while other types of HPV (more than 40 types) affect the anogenital tract. Of those HPV types that can cause genital
infections:

• Some types such as 16 and 18 can cause pre-cancerous lesions, cervical cancer and other genital cancers and are referred to as carcinogenic or ’high risk HPV types’.
• Other types such as 6 and 11 can lead to genital warts and are referred to as ’low risk HPV types’ because they rarely cause cancer.

Skin warts

The most visible types of HPV are skin warts (common, plantar or flat) that develop on
areas of the skin such as the hands, arms, legs and bottom of the feet. HPV infections of this type are very common, harmless, non-cancerous, and can be easily treated.

Genital warts

Not to be confused with skin warts, genital warts (also known as condylomata acuminatum) are mostly caused by HPV types 6 and 11. In women, genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, cervix, anus, or thighs. In men they can appear on the penis, scrotum, anus, or thighs. (see appendix photo bank)

Pre-cancerous lesions

In women, HPV can infect cells on the vagina and cervix where we can’t see them. These lesions (medically known as dysplasia, or abnormal cells of the cervix) are considered to be a pre-cancerous condition. HPV is one of the most frequent causes of cervical dysplasia. There are three types of cervical dysplasia: mild, moderate, and severe. Left untreated, dysplasia can progress to cervical cancer. (see appendix photo bank)

Cancers

Carcinogenic types of HPV cause most cervical cancers and 70% are caused by HPV types 16 and 18. These types may also be linked to oral and penile cancers. Research has shown a strong link between anal cancer and HPV 16. (see appendix photo bank)