Hpv also called human papillomavirus causes problems like genital, flat and plantar warts on the skin along with cervical cancer and cervical and vaginal dysplasia. Hpv facts indicate that this infection is quite common and in many cases no symptoms may be observed. It is difficult to determine how long a person is suffering from this condition.

Ordinarily this virus may enter the body through a break in the skin. Hpv facts also indicate that this condition can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person and such sexual contact may include vaginal along with anal sex. There are around 100 different hpv types and some of them are low risk while others are high risk forms and the high risk types cause cancers.

As per the hpv facts the low risk hpv types such as hpv 6, 11, 42, 43 and 44 cause genital warts. These warts may include vaginal warts, penile warts and venereal warts. The high risk forms of hpv virus can cause cancer. The warts are soft and moist and may be flesh colored. Hpv can lie dormant in the body for a long period of time.

Hpv facts indicate that the warts may appear a few weeks or months following the infection and these usually appear in clusters and look like cauliflower. These warts may be raised or flat and may vary in size. Among women the warts may be observed in the area surrounding the vagina and on the vulva and the cervix. In some cases the warts may also be observed on a person’s thighs.

Women can be indirectly tested for this infection through a pap smear. The smear will reveal cells in the cervix that are damaged by the hpv infection. The diagnosis of this condition can also be done through visual examination of the warts. Hpv facts on treatment of this condition indicate that the warts can be removed through application of certain medicines. Alternatively a doctor may remove the warts through surgery or the warts may also be frozen.

This condition can be prevented by indulging in sexual intercourse with an uninfected person in a mutually monogamous relationship. Condoms can provide only a limited degree of protection as the condoms cannot cover all the infected areas.