HPV stands for human papilloma virus. There are more than 100 types of HPV. About 40 types of HPV are sexually transmitted. They can infect the throat and the genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. At least half of all people get a sexually transmitted HPV in their lifetime.
- Some types of HPV may cause genital warts.
- Some types of HPV may cause cell changes that can lead to cervical and other cancers. They do not usually have visible symptoms.
- Most types of HPV seem to have no harmful effect at all.
There is now an HPV vaccine that could prevent the most common cancer-causing HPV types and most of the types that cause genital warts.
We are here to help you protect yourself and those you care about. Your local Planned Parenthood health center can help you get tested for HPV and the cell changes that can lead to cancer. We can also help you prevent cancer by treating any cell changes. And we can help you or a young woman in your life get the HPV vaccine.
Published: 02.21.08 | Updated: 02.21.08
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