Frequently Asked Questions
HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV/GENITAL WARTS)


What is the HUMAN 			Human Papilloma Virus, more commonly known as HPV, is a 
PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)?			viral infection spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. HPV 
					is a group of over 100 different strains or types. Over 30 of 	
					these are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital 
					area, like the skin of the penis, vulva, labia, or anus, or the 	
					tissues covering the vagina and cervix. Genital warts are single 
					or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area, 
					and sometimes form a cauliflower-like shape.

How do people get 			The types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread
genital HPV infections?			primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have	
					no signs or symptoms. Therefore, most infected persons are
					unaware they are infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a 
					sex partner. 

What are the signs and 			Some but not all people with genital HPV infection get visible 
symptoms of genital 			genital warts. Most people who have a genital HPV infection 
infection?				are symptom-less and do not know they are infected.

What are genital warts?			Some but not all people with genital HPV infection get visible 
					genital warts. Genital warts appear as single or soft, moist, 	
					pink or red swellings that appear in the genital area. They can 
					be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large. Some 	
					cluster, forming a cauliflower-like shape. Warts can appear 
					on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the 	
					cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin or thigh. Warts can 
					appear within several weeks after sexual contact with an 	
					infected person, or they can take months to appear.

Who is at risk for genital		Anyone who has sex is at risk for genital HPV infection.   
HPV infection? 		 	

How is genital HPV 			Most women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of 
infection diagnosed?			abnormal Pap smears. Pap smears are the primary 	
					screening tool for cervical cancer or pre-cancerous 		
					conditions, many of which are cell changes related to HPV. 
					

How is genital HPV 			There is no "cure" for HPV infection, although in most 
infection treated?			women the infection goes away on its own. The treatments 
					provided are directed to the changes in the skin or mucous 
					membrane caused by HPV infection, such as warts and      
					pre-cancerous changes in the cervix.

What is the connection			Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can
between HPV infection 	 		lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. A Pap           
and cervical cancer? 			test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the 	
					cervix. Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with 
					treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous 
					changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop 
					into life-threatening cervical cancer.

How can genital HPV 			The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted
infection be prevented?			diseases is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-
					term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who 
					was tested and is known to be uninfected.  Latex or 	
					polyurethane male condoms, when used consistently and 	
					correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of HPV, but 	
					cannot eliminate HPV transmission.

					On June 8, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 	
					licensed the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer 
					and other diseases in females caused by certain types of 	
					genital human papilloma virus (HPV). The HPV vaccine is 	
					recommended for 11-12 year-old girls but can be administered 
					to girls as young as 9 years of age. The vaccine also is 	
					recommended for 13-26 year-old females who have not yet 
					received or completed the vaccine series.

For more information:			Call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at	    
					1-800-232-4636, TTY: 1-888-232-6348 In English and Spanish. 
 

 
 
Contact Number: STD Program, (302) 744-1050
Revised: 03/2007 Doc. # 35-05-20/07/03/11