HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are dozens of types of HPV that can infect the genital tract in men and women, and these same types of HPV can also affect the mouth and throat. Many people do not know they have HPV; in fact, in 90 percent of people, their immune system clears the virus on its own. HPV can cause a variety of side effects, including certain kinds of cancers and genital warts.
Genital Warts
Some strains of HPV (particularly types 6 and 11) can cause genital warts, which typically look like a bump or group of bumps on the genital area, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mayo Clinic. The warts can be flat or raised, and can appear weeks or even months after contact with the infected partner, even if the individual had no signs or symptoms of warts. These genital warts typically do not turn into cancer. The CDC estimates that at any given time in the United States, 1 percent of sexually active individuals have genital warts.
Cervical Cancer
Some types of HPV (such as types 16 and 18) can cause cervical cancer because the virus causes cells on the cervix to become abnormal. Cervical cancer is typically slow-growing, which is why regular Pap tests are useful in detecting any abnormal changes in cervical cells and screening for cancer. Approximately 11,000 to 12,000 women every year are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States, according to the CDC and the Mayo Clinic.
Other Kinds of Cancers
HIgh-risk strains like types 16 and 18 can also cause other kinds of cancer, although they are less common than cervical cancer. These include penile cancer, anal cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancers, and head and neck cancers. Anal cancer is not the same as colorectal cancer, and colorectal cancer is not caused by HPV. Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer than heterosexual men, and men and women with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop anal cancer and other HPV diseases.
