Human Papilloma Virus

What is genital HPV infection?

It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a viral group that includes more than 100 different types. More than 30 are sexually transmitted and may affect the ano-genital area in both men and women. Most people infected by HPV have no symptoms and the infection disappears by itself.

However, some types of this virus are known as "high risk" and may show abnormal results in Papanicolaou tests (cervico-vaginal cytology). Other types of virus are known as "low risk" and may give rise to slight abnormalities in the Papanicolaou tests or cause genital warts.