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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

HPV infection occurs when the virus enters your body through a cut, abrasion or small tear in the outer layer of your skin. The virus is transferred primarily by skin-to-skin contact.

Genital HPV infections are contracted through sexual intercourse, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact in the genital region. Some HPV infections that result in oral or upper respiratory lesions are contracted through oral sex.

Rarely, a mother with an HPV infection may transmit the virus to her infant during delivery. This exposure may cause HPV infection in the baby's genitals or upper respiratory system.

Risk factors 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

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