Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus

The most common STI in the U.S.

What are papillomaviruses?

More than 170 different types referred to as HPV, transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, around 30 types are transmitted sexually, only 18 types pose cancer risk (mostly for anogenital cancers)

HPV 6 and HPV 11

Are the cause of benign lesions of the skin (warts), mucous membrane of the genital and anal areas, extragenital (papillomas of the mouth) or of the respiratory

HPV 16 and HPV 18

Are involved in the development of precancerous lesions and cancers of various organs, first and foremost the cervix

Condyloma acuminatuma

A highly contagious sexually transmitted disease with the symptom of a single genital wart

Condylomata acuminata

A highly contagious sexually transmitted disease with the symptom of multiple genital warts

Condyloma acuminatum latin meaning

Condyloma= knuckle-like growth; acuminatum= pointed

How is condyloma acuminatuma transmitted

It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, usually through oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner

Who should get vaccinated for HPV

All boys and girls ages 11-12, males through age 21 & females through age 26 if they didn’t get vaccinated when they were younger, gay & bisexual men through age 26, and men & women with compromised immune systems (including people living with HIV/AIDS) through age 26, if they didn’t get vaccinated when they were younger

HPV Status

There is no test to find out a person’s HPV status because the virus is so common and often clears on its own

HPV tests in the mouth or throat

There are no approved HPV tests to find HPV in the mouth or throat