Overview
HPV infection is a viral infection. There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause skin growths called warts and some types of HPV infection can cause cancer.
Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, called the cervix. Other types of cancers have been linked to HPV infection. These include cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and back of the throat. Cancer at the back of the throat is called oropharyngeal cancer.
These infections are often passed through sex or through other skin-to-skin contact. Vaccines can help protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer.
Symptoms
Usually, the body's immune system defeats an HPV infection before it creates warts. Different types of HPV produce different warts, including:
Genital warts. Some appear flat. Others look like small cauliflower-like bumps or tiny stemlike bumps. In women, genital warts appear mostly on the vulva. But they also can occur near the anus, on the cervix or in the vagina.
In men, genital warts appear on the penis and scrotum or around the anus. Genital warts rarely cause discomfort or pain. But they might itch or feel tender.
- Common warts. Common warts appear as rough, raised bumps. They usually occur on the hands and fingers. Most common warts are simply not attractive. But they also can be painful. And it's easy for them to get injured or bleed.
- Plantar warts. Plantar warts are hard, grainy growths that usually appear on the heels or balls of the feet. These warts might cause discomfort.
- Flat warts. Flat warts are flat-topped, slightly raised sores called lesions. They can appear anywhere on the body. But children usually get them on the face, men tend to get them in the beard area, and women tend to get them on the legs.
Common warts
Common warts can grow on hands or fingers. They're small, grainy bumps that are rough to the touch. They're usually flesh-colored, white, pink or tan.
Plantar warts
Plantar warts are caused by the same type of virus that causes warts on the hands and fingers. But, because of where they are, they can be painful.
Flat warts
Flat warts are smaller and smoother than other warts. They generally occur on the face or legs. They're more common in children and teens than in adults.
Female genital warts
Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can appear on the genitals, in the pubic area or in the anal canal. Genital warts also can grow inside the vagina.
Male genital warts
Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can appear on the genitals, in the pubic area or in the anal canal.
Cervical cancer
HPV infections cause almost all cervical cancers. But cervical cancer may take 20 years or longer to develop after an HPV infection. The HPV infection and early cervical cancer typically don't cause symptoms. Getting vaccinated against HPV infection is the best way to protect against cervical cancer.
Because early cervical cancer doesn't cause symptoms, it's vital that women have regular screening tests. These tests can find changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer. Current guidelines recommend that women ages 21 to 29 have a test that checks cervical cells for cancer, called a Pap test, every three years.
Women ages 30 to 65 are advised to keep having Pap tests every three years. Or the Pap test can be every five years for women who also get an HPV DNA test at the same time. Women over 65 can stop testing if they've had three regular Pap tests in a row, or two HPV DNA and Pap tests with no irregular results.
When to see a doctor
If you or your child has any warts that cause embarrassment, discomfort or pain, seek advice from your healthcare professional.
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Causes
HPV infection occurs when the virus enters the body, usually through a cut or other damage to skin. The virus spreads mainly by skin-to-skin contact.
Genital HPV infections are contracted through having sex, anal sex and other skin-to-skin contact of the genitals. Some HPV infections spread through oral sex.
People who are pregnant and have an HPV infection with genital warts can give the infection to the baby. Rarely, the infection may cause a noncancerous growth in the baby's voice box, called the larynx.
Warts spread easily. This means that warts are contagious and can spread through direct contact with a wart. Warts also can spread by touching something that has touched a wart.
Risk factors
HPV infections are common. Risk factors for HPV infection include:
- Number of sex partners. The more sex partners, the higher the risk of getting a genital HPV infection. Having sex with a partner who has had multiple sex partners also increases the risk.
- Age. Common warts occur mostly in children. Genital warts occur most often in adolescents and young adults.
- Weakened immune system. HIV/AIDS or certain medicines used after organ transplants can weaken immune systems. People who have weakened immune systems are at greater risk of HPV infections.
- Damaged skin. Areas of skin that have been injured are more likely to develop common warts.
- Personal contact. Touching someone's warts might increase the risk of HPV infection. So can touching surfaces that have been infected with HPV, such as public showers or swimming pools.
Complications
- Oral and upper respiratory sores, called lesions. Some HPV infections cause lesions on the tongue, tonsils or soft palate, or within the larynx and nose.
- Cancer. Certain strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer. These strains also might play a part in cancers of the genitals, anus, mouth and upper respiratory tract.
Prevention
Common warts
It's hard to prevent HPV infections that cause common warts. If you have a common wart, you can prevent the spread of the infection and keep new warts from forming by not picking at a wart and not biting your nails.
Plantar warts
To lower the risk of contracting HPV infections that cause plantar warts, wear flip-flops or other shoes on public pool decks and in locker rooms.
Genital warts
Lower the risk of getting genital warts and other HPV-related genital sores by:
- Having only one sex partner who's not having sex with anyone else. This is a monogamous relationship.
- Using a latex condom during sex, which might lower the risk of HPV.
HPV vaccines
Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can be used for males and females to protect against cervical cancer and genital warts.
The vaccine works best if a person gets it before having the first sexual contact. Once someone has HPV, the vaccine might not work as well or at all. Also, younger people respond better to the vaccine than older people do. If given before someone has HPV infection, the vaccine can prevent most cervical cancers.
Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for children age 11 and 12, but this vaccines can be given as young as 9 years of age. The two-dose series is given until age 14. The doses are given at least five months apart. Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series at ages 15 through 26 should get three doses of the vaccine.
