Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
STD Info: Just the Facts
There are many types of human papilloma virus, several of which can result in genital warts (Condyloma acuminata).
In the United States, 80% of all young sexually active women are infected with the human papilloma virus. Genital warts are more likely in women with early onset of sexual activity, multiple sex partners, and a higher frequency of casual partners.
Vaginal, anal or oral sex. HPV is highly contagious. If one person has HPV most doctors don't bother testing the sexual partner, because they almost always have it too. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Painless fleshy, cauliflower-like warts develop on and inside the genitals, anus and throat.
There is no known cure. Warts can be suppressed by chemicals, freezing, laser therapy and surgery.
HPV is the virus that causes genital
warts. Some strains of the virus are strongly associated with cervical cancer as well as
cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis and anus. In fact, HPV is the cause of more than 90 percent of all cervical cancer, which kills about 5,000 American women every year.
Infants exposed to the virus in the
birth canal can develop warts in the throat which can obstruct the airway and must be removed. However, transmission of the disease during delivery is not common.
Abstaining from vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person is the only effective means of prevention.
Latex condoms provide almost no protection against contracting the disease during sex. Smoking ceasation will reduce the risk of HPV and cervical tumors. Annual Pap smears are critical to detect the disease in the earyly stages. There is now a vaccine that will prevent contaction of many strains of the HPV virus and subesquent cancer of the cervix. The vaccine seems to be safe but is not yet approved by the US FDA.
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Source: W Cates, "Reproductive Tract Infections," In Hatcher et al, Contraceptive Technology, Ardent Media, 2005.
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