How Is Human Papillomavirus Transferred ?

Understanding HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) often causes infections to occur on various parts of the body. HPV infections may not have symptoms or they may result in atypical growths, such as warts on the hands or feet, genital warts, and lesions in the mouth and upper respiratory area. HPV infections sometimes result in more serious conditions like cervical cancer.

Transmission of HPV

HPV is usually transmitted from skin contact with an infected person. HPV can enter into the body a cut on the outside of the skin. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are transmitted by sexual contact. Also, a person can contract HPV from an infected person through oral sex, resulting in mouth lesions. In addition, an infected mother may possibly pass on the HPV infection to a baby during a vaginal delivery.

Increased Risk of Developing HPV

Certain people are more at risk of contracting an HPV infection. Those individuals with multiple sex partners are at a greater risk. Females 25 and younger also are at a greater risk. Those with HIV or other immune deficiency disorders are also at an increased risk of developing an HPV infection. The HPV infections that cause warts on the hand and feet are much more common in children than adults because children are more vulnerable to these particular kinds of HPV infections.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic for more about HPV