HPV (human papilloma virus) is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. The Mayo Clinic For Medical Research and the Centers For Disease Control estimate that at any given point there are 20 million people in the United States with active HPV infection.
Definition
HPV actually comprises a family of approximately 100 related strains of human papilloma virus, all of which produce similar symptoms in infected persons.
Initial Symptoms
HPV infection often has no initial symptoms. This is one reason for its prevalence, as people often do not know they are carriers and continue to spread the virus.
Genital Warts
When symptoms do appear, it is often in the form of warts on the penis or vagina. They may be in the form of a flat lesions or a protruding stem-like bumps.
Respiratory Lesions
HPV can also produce lesions in the upper respiratory tract. These will be visible in the back of the mouth, tonsils and throat. They may also be present internally on the lungs.
Plain Warts
Children who have been exposed to HPV often gets warts on the hands, arms or other extremities. These warts also occasionally appear on the skin surrounding the fingernails.
Cervical Cancer
Women who have active long-term HPV infections are at increased risk for cervical cancer. The For Medical Research estimates that 70% of all cases of cervical cancer are caused by an underlying HPV infection.
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