Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Genital Warts
What are HPVs?
More than 40 types of HPV, which are the cause of genital warts (also known as condylomata acuminata or venereal warts), can infect the genital tract of men and women. These warts are primarily transmitted during sexual contact. Other, different HPV types generally cause common warts elsewhere on the body. HPV infection has long been known to be a cause of cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers in women, and it has also been linked with both anal and penile cancer in men.
HPV infection is now considered to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., and it is believed that at least 75% of the reproductive-age population has been infected with sexually transmitted HPV at some point in life.
HPV infection is common and does not usually lead to the development of warts, cancers, or specific symptoms. In fact, the majority of people infected with HPV have no symptoms or lesions at all. The ultimate test to detect HPV involves identification of the genetic material (DNA) of the virus.
Read more from MedicineNet.com
Posted: November 28th, 2009 under Information.
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