what is hpv?

Question

what exactly is it and what are symtoms? i just saw the commercial and was a litle curious

Answer 1

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a virus NOT a bacteria like the first person said. There are over 120 different kinds of HPV; about 30 or so of them are sexually transmitted. Most kinds of HPV don't cause any harm or health issues but some kinds of HPV can cause cancer (including cervical cancer) and warts (including genital warts). There is NO cure for HPV, but most people are able to get rid of it. Their bodies can basically "fight off" the virus.

Most people have no signs or symptoms of the virus that it why it is so common. Since most people don't have symptoms, they don't realize they have the virus and end up spreading it around unknowingly. It's estimated about 75 - 80% of the world will have HPV at some point in their life and I've read only about 25% of the people who have it actually know they have the virus.

Check out the links below for more information about HPV:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/std/hpv.htm

Answer 2

Hi there,

HPV virus is common and infects at least 50% of all people who have sex at some time in their lives. Often, people don’t have any symptoms and the HPV infection goes away on its own. Some types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer or cancer of the anus or penis.

HPV stands for human papillomavirus (pronounced pap ah LO mah), but there are actually more than 100 related viruses in this group. Each HPV virus is given a number or type. The term "papilloma" refers to a kind of wart that results from some HPV types.

HPV viruses live in the body's epithelial cells. These are flat and thin cells found on the skin's surface and also on the surface of the vagina, anus, vulva, cervix, penis head, mouth, and throat.

Of the 100 HPV types, about 60 types cause warts on areas such as the hands or feet. The other 40 or so types of HPV are sexually transmitted and are drawn to the body's mucous membranes, such as the moist layers around the anal and genital areas.

These sexually-transmitted HPV viruses are spread through contact with infected genital skin, mucous membranes, or bodily fluids. HPV can infect skin not normally covered by a condom, so using a condom does not fully protect you from the virus. Also, many people don’t realize they’re infected with HPV and may have no symptoms, so neither sexual partner may realize that the virus is being spread.

Not all of the 40 sexually transmitted HPV viruses cause serious health problems. High-risk HPV viruses include HPV 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Other high-risk HPV viruses include 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58 and a few others.

Low-risk HPV viruses, such as HPV 6 and 11, cause about 90% of genital warts, which rarely develop into cancer. Genital warts can look like bumps or growths. Sometimes they are shaped like cauliflower. The warts can show up weeks or months after exposure to an infected sexual partner.

About 20 million people in the U.S. are infected at any time, according to the CDC. And three-fourths of sexually active people between ages 15 and 49 have been infected at some point in their lives, according to estimates from the American Social Health Association.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

Answer 3

HPV is the same virus that causes regular warts on the body, the only difference being that the strains of HPV that are transferred sexually are mutated, and some do lead to cervial cancer (4-6 types) whereas most just have one breakout and are broken up by the body on it's own. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to show symptoms, and almost all women and men will have this at some point, if you know you've gotten it and haven't seen any outward signs (warts on your genitals, etc.) get checked immediately, as that may be an indicator that you have an internal strain, one of the ones that cause cancer.

Answer 4

HPV virus is common and infects at least 50% of all people who have sex at some time in their lives. Often, people don’t have any symptoms and the HPV infection goes away on its own. Some types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer or cancer of the anus or penis.

HPV stands for human papillomavirus (pronounced pap ah LO mah), but there are actually more than 100 related viruses in this group. Each HPV virus is given a number or type. The term "papilloma" refers to a kind of wart that results from some HPV types.

HPV viruses live in the body's epithelial cells. These are flat and thin cells found on the skin's surface and also on the surface of the vagina, anus, vulva, cervix, penis head, mouth, and throat.

Answer 5

HPV is a bacteria most of the time you have no symptoms of it and it can lead to warts or cancer. A lot of the time it is givein to women by men. Sometimes it is caused if your parterner dosen't wash theirself.