WHAT IS HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS? — Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a type of virus condyloma genital wart that infects the epithelial layer (the outer layer or covering) of the skin and mucous membranes , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertOver 70 different types types of HPV have been identified , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertcondyloma The various types of HPV each have a tendency tendency to infect specific areas of genital wart the body , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert The most common manifestation of HPV is warts , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertThis includes warts warts on condyloma the skin such as plantar warts or common warts, and warts in the genital area, known as genital warts , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertHowever, many types of HPV do not cause warts warts or any other symptoms , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertsymptoms , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertcondyloma genital wart WHY IS GENITAL HPV IMPORTANT? — Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIt is important because certain types of genital HPV infection have been associated associated with an increased risk of changes in condyloma the cells cells of genital wart the cervix, including precancerous conditions and cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert HOW IS GENITAL HPV SPREAD? — Genital HPV is spread through direct physical contact contact such as intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or any other contact involving condyloma the genital area , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GENITAL HPV INFECTION? INFECTION? — As noted above, some types of HPV can can cause genital warts, which may be associated with discomfort such as itching, burning, or tenderness in condyloma genital wart the genital area , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertHowever, most women with sexually transmitted HPV do not have any symptoms at all , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertall , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertcondyloma DOES GENITAL HPV HPV ALWAYS CAUSE CANCER? — No , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertResearchers have labeled genital wart the HPV types as being at high, medium, or low risk for causing cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertFor example, the HPV viruses that condyloma that cause most genital warts are not among the identified high risk types , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertBut most women infected with even a a high risk type will not go on to develop cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertgenital wart However, HPV HPV infection has been found to be very common in women who do have cancerous or precancerous changes in condyloma the cervix , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertThe relationship is so strong that researchers now point to HPV infection as as as condyloma genital wart the primary cause of cervical cancer and precancerous changes in the cervix , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert WHY DO SOME WOMEN WITH HPV DEVELOP CANCER AND OTHERS DO NOT? — The exact reasons are not clear , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertMost Most women who condyloma are infected with HPV (even high risk types) clear the infection spontaneously , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertspontaneously , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIn addition to persistent HPV infection, it may be genital wart that other risk factors lead to progression to precancerous or or cancerous conditions of condyloma the cervix , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertSome of these risk factors are smoking, having a history of multiple sexual partners, having intercourse at an early age, and a history of of other sexually transmitted diseases diseases (show table 1 ) condyloma genital wart , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert WILL MY DOCTOR TEST ME FOR HPV? — At present, testing for HPV is not routine , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertHowever, some doctors may use HPV testing as a way way to determine whether certain women with abnormal Pap smears need need further testing for cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertcondyloma genital wart Pap smear — The Pap smear is a routine screening test for cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIt is done done as part of a woman's yearly gynecological exam , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertCells from condyloma the cervix are scraped off and sent for analysis , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert A number of different different types of abnormalities can be identified on genital wart the Pap Pap smear , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertSome of these point to an increased risk condyloma that cancerous or precancerous cells will be found on further testing , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIn other cases, the meaning of the results is not as clear , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert condyloma An abnormal Pap smear smear always calls for further testing, which may mean additional Pap smears, or other tests such as colposcopy, biopsy or, possibly, HPV testing , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertgenital wart Colposcopy — A colposcopy is a a test in which a doctor uses a high powered magnifying lens to directly visualize condyloma the cervix during a pelvic pelvic exam , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIf abnormalities genital wart are seen, a biopsy can be done, in which a sample sample of tissue from condyloma the cervix is sent to the lab for detailed analysis , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wert HPV TESTING FOR WOMEN WITH ABNORMAL PAP SMEARS — With some kinds of abnormal Pap smear, it is not not not clear whether colposcopy is needed , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertcondyloma genital wart That is, the abnormality itself does not clearly point to a high risk of cervical cancer , genital wart , condyloma , gentile wart , genitle wart , genitla wart , genital wertIn these cases, some doctors may opt to test women for HPV HPV infection in order to help decide if condyloma the risk of cervical cancer or precancerous |