Human papillomavirus (patient information)

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Human papillomavirus
Overview
What are the symptoms?
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Human papillomavirus?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Human papillomavirus On the Web
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
Images of Human papillomavirus
Videos on Human papillomavirus
FDA on Human papillomavirus
CDC on Human papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus in the news
Blogs on Human papillomavirus
Directions to Hospitals Treating Human papillomavirus
Risk calculators and risk factors for Human papillomavirus

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus related to the development of certain types of genital cancer, such as cervical cancer. Although many people disregard its existence, it is very common. It is a sexually transmitted virus, generally transmitted through genital contact, such as vaginal and anal sex, however, it may seldom be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. About half the people who have had sex, will be infected by HPV at some point in time. Although infection by this virus may be harmless in some cases, with patients never developing any symptoms, going away on its own, it is a matter of public concern, since it may lead to the development of certain types of cancer.