What is HPV?

Answer:
HPV stands for human papilloma virus, a family

of over 100 viruses some of which cause warts on the hands and feet, while others are transmitted sexually with warts appearing on the skin in the genital areas.

There are more than 30 HPV strains that affect the genital areas and in the US, HPV is considered to be the most common form of sexually transmitted infection: the American Social Health Association has predicted that 75 percent of the reproductive population will have been infected with genital HPV in their lifetime. HPV is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and by skin-to-skin genital contact.

The majority of HPV infections have no symptoms so those infected remain completely unaware while continuing to transmit the virus.