health sectionhealth sectionHuman papilloma virus HPV is a contagious virus that causes genital or venereal warts. It is a sexually transmitted disease that affects the skin or mucus membranes. It has the ability to cause the appearance of painless, fleshy cauliflower-like growths in and around the sex organs. There is no cure for the HPV infection and it may lead to cervical cancer.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted via skin-on-skin contact, usually sexual. It is the number one sexually transmitted disease. There are over forty types of HPV, which can affect the skin of the penis, vulva, anus and linings of the vagina, cervix and rectum. When someone contracts HPV, they are often not aware they have the infection. In 90 percent of cases, the body fights off the disease within two years. However, if the body does not fight off the disease, depending on the type of HPV, the individual may develop genital warts or cancer.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) describes more than 100 strains of infection, of which around 30 are considered to be sexually transmitted. Some of the strains may cause genital warts, while other "high risk" strains may lead to cervical cancer or have no symptoms or signs at all. The only way to avoid transmitting HPV is to avoid sexual contact with others while infected.
