Human papillomavirus is a virus that primarily affects the cervix and the skin around the genital area. The most common symptoms are genital warts and abnormal cell changes in the cervix. There are about 20 million people in the United States with HPV and most sexually active adults will acquire an HPV infection at some point.
Transmission
All types of HPV are typically transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, usually during vaginal or anal intercourse with an infected partner.
Genital Warts
The genital warts caused by low-risk types of HPV tend to be flesh-colored or white. They normally won't disappear without treatment and may even grow.
Size
The size of the genital warts is highly variable but can be too small to be seen. This means that a person can unknowingly transmit HPV to a sexual partner.
Growth
The growth of genital warts from HPV is highly variable and may not appear for years. The virus remains in the skin cells and may cause the warts to recur.
Cervical Changes
High-risk forms of HPV may cause changes in the cervical cells, which can lead to cervical cancer.
Tags: genital warts, highly variable