HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING AND 3 MORE DOCTORS WEIGH IN ON: WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION?

Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes that line the mouth, vagina, cervix, urethra and anus. Dozens of types of HPV have been identified. Each type has a tendency to infect a particular part of the body. Some are more likely to cause common skin warts and genital warts. Other types called high risk HPV are important in the development of cervical cancer. HPV has become the most common cause of mouth cancer. Certain strains are linked to cancer of the anus and penis.

Answered by Dr. Anuvitha Kamath

MBBS · 3 years of experience · India

Human papillomavirus infection can cause genital warts, plantar warts, and common warts. It is usually spread through sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. It is also transmitted through oral and anal sex. The risk factors for this are having multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner who has already acquired the infection. Other risk factors are a weakened immune system, and abrasions on the skin, exposing it to the virus. Younger children are at higher risk of acquiring the disease. Close contact of touching an infected person's warts also increases the risk.

Learn more about human papillomavirus infection: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.

See more questions and expert answers related to human papillomavirus infection.

Answered by Dr. Gustavo Campos

Doctor of Medicine · 9 years of experience · Brazil

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with a diversity of types of cancer. It's responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer, but is also associated to anal, oropharyngeal and penile cancer. Besides this, there it is also related to  respiratory papillomatosis, a type of  benign laryngeal tumor that happens in children. This disease can lead to larynx obstruction by warts.

Answered by Dr. Sarath Kumar Sar

MBBS · 1 years of experience · India

Cervical cancer. Vulvar cancer. Vagina Cancer. Anal cancer.

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