what is HPV?

Answer 1

HPV or Human Papilloma Virus is a common virus with over 100 different viral types. Basically HPV is the virus that causes a whole host of warts including common warts, genital warts, verruca vulgaris, condyloma and flat warts.

HPV has gotten a lot of hype lately because of a new vaccine that may prevent people from contracting STD-related HPV viral types 6, 11, 16 and 18. These are the most common types of warts known to cause genital warts, cervical, penile and anal cancers. There are, of course, other HPV viral types that the vaccine won't guard you against.

We all know that you can get warts from someone else who has them. The big scare is that, even though doctors have known for a long time that HPV can cause cervical cancer as well as penile and anal cancer, they haven't made it public knowledge because it is an STD and you get it from someone who is infected (basically you had sex with someone other than your current partner). No one wants to hear that. What they often fail to tell people is that you can have HPV for years and years before it ever developes into precancer and cancer.

Anyway, there are some great websites out there if you want more info:

www.tellsomeone.com
www.digene.com

are two that are associated with drug companies.

www.cap.org
www.asct.org

are professional organization websites that explain more technical information.

By the way, I am a Cytotechnologist. A laboratory professional trained to screen Pap smears, biopsies and other body fluids to look for cancer and other diseases. I look for signs of HPV every day.

Answer 2

HPV means Human papillomavirus. A virus that causes abnormal tissue growth (warts) and is often associated with some types of cancer. It's a risk factor for Cervical cancer.

Human Papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV, is a viral infection spread through skin to skin sexual contact. HPV is a group of over 100 different viruses, with at least 30 strains known to cause different types of cancer. There is currently no cure for HPV.

HPV is transmitted by skin to skin contact through vaginal, anal and oral sex with a partner who already has HPV. If infected, signs and symptoms may take weeks, months and even years to appear. Symptoms may never appear.

Symptoms of HPV - Symptoms of HPV normally appear in the form a cauliflower like growths called genital warts. These warts may also be flat. They can be found on the inside and the outside of the vagina. These growths may take weeks or even years to show after having sex with an infected partner. Again, they may appear show at all.

Answer 3

HPV means Human Papilloma virus a group of more than 70 viruses, some of which can lead to cervical cancer. Several strains of HPV cause external genital warts.
HPV / Warts - Incubation Period: Anywhere from one month to several years. A viral infection of the skin in the genital area & female's cervix. Warts are found on or around the penis, anus or vagina. They are small lumps which have an irregular cauliflower-like surface
One fifth of all cancers worldwide are caused by a chronic infection, for example human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver cancer.
Please see the web pages for more details and images on Human papilloma virus (Genital warts).

Answer 4

H.P.V. is in fact an S.T.D it does cause cervical cancer, some of the symptoms are; warts, pain during intercourse and bleeding, constant brown discharge, and in some cases a stench will follow, and that's just the light stuff. Some people live and die without even knowing they had it, and with most cases woman don't even show any signs of having H.P.V. If it's not taking care of in the early stages of it the symptoms will become worst. As always it's responsible and expected for all woman, of all ages who's sexually active to see their G.Y.N regually. H.P.V has four stages,and can cause cervical cancer, and the result of not taking care of it in it's early stages can result to death.

Answer 5

HPV (if i can spell it right) is called the Human Papaloma Virus it can cause cervical cancer and other problems.

Answer 6

Human Papilloma Virus, the cause of many cervical cancers.

Answer 7

If you search the web you can find some sites that are very thorough. It 'll take a second to look up, but then you'll know the facts forever. Good luck!

Answer 8

Additional info: You can get it from an infected person through sexual or skin contact.

It can lie dormant for several years until it shows itself as genital warts. Thus, many people who have it who don't show any symptoms, don't know they have it.

Answer 9

it's a sexually transmitted virus that can (although doesn't always) cause cervical cancer (among others)

there is currently a vaccine on the market that will help protect those who do not already have this virus.

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus