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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

HPV infection causes warts. More than 100 varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV) exist. Different types of HPV infection can cause warts on different parts of your body. For example, some types of HPV infection cause plantar warts on the feet, while other varieties of HPV infection are responsible for the warts that most commonly occur on the hands or face.

There are more than 40 different strains of HPV that specifically affect the genital area. Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer, but some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the cervix — the passage between the vagina and the uterus. Vaccines can help protect against the strains of genital HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.

Symptoms
References
  1. HPV (Human papillomavirus). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/byaudience/forwomen/ucm118530.htm. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  2. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  3. Castle PE. The life cycle, natural history, and immunology of human papillomaviruses. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  4. Genital HPV infection: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  5. Goldsmith LA, et al., eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=740. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  6. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  7. Reichman R. Epidemiology of human papillomavirus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  8. Palefsky JM, et al. Virology of human papillomavirus infections and the link to cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2011:60;1705.
  10. Salicylic acid. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2012.
  11. Imiquimod. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2012.
  12. Podofilox. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed Nov. 29, 2012.
  13. Mulhem E, et al. Treatment of nongenital cutaneous warts. American Family Physician. 2011;84:288.
  14. Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2012.
DS00906 March 12, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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