HPV are transmitted sexually and are responsible for the development of a number of forms of cancer in the genital region and throat, and cervical cancer in particular. Vaccination can protect against infection with important types of the virus. There are many different types of human papilloma virus HPV that infect the skin or the mucous membranes.
While most types of the virus are harmless, some can cause cancer. Particularly in the genital region, papilloma viruses are transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal intercourse. Depending on the sexual practice involved, however, they can also be transferred to the throat, where they can cause precancer or cancer. Two-thirds of infections proceed asymptomatically. High-risk types of HPV, however, can lead to several forms of precancer and cancer, e. There is also a causal link between HPV and other forms of cancer, some of which affect men.
Low-risk types of HPV manifest - if symptoms appear at all - as warts condyloma. These occur inside the vagina or in the anus, among other places, and sometimes require a targeted medical examination to be detected. But they may also appear as cauliflower-type growths in the genital and anal regions.
An estimated 70 to 80 percent of sexually active women and men are infected with HPV in the course of their lifetime. In 70 percent of these cases the virus disappears within one year of infection, and in 90 percent of cases within two years.
Young people aged 16 to 25 are particularly affected. The frequency of HPV infections increases with the number of sexual partners, and the risk of infection is highest at the beginning of sexual activity. Persistent infection with a high-risk type of the virus can develop into precancer or cancer.
