Hpv or human papilloma virus includes groups of viruses that cause infection in the skin and the mucous membranes. These viruses can cause warts and hpv can also result in cervical cancer in some cases. There are around 100 different hpv types and more than 30 of these forms or types can be sexually transmitted.

A person experiences different symptoms which differ as per the different hpv types. In many cases a person infected with this infection may not develop any symptoms at all. However in other cases a number of different conditions or symptoms may be observed. In some cases warts including genital warts may be observed while other forms of hpv can cause serious conditions like cervical cancer.

Among the different hpv types the 1, 2 and 4 varieties cause plantar warts while the 1, 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 41 and 57 varieties cause common warts. Flat warts are often caused by 3, 10, 27, 28, 41 and 49 varieties. Genital warts are caused by 6, 11, 30, 40, 45, 51 and 54 forms while cervical cancer may be caused by varieties that include 16 and 18 viruses.

Some hpv types also cause precancerous changes along with other conditions like laryngeal papillomas. Laryngeal papillomas are caused by the 6, 11 and 30 hpv types. The hpv varieties that are more likely to case cancerous developments are called high risk types while those that do not cause such developments are called low risk varieties.

The hpv types 16 and 18 are responsible for causing around 70% of the cervical cancer cases. The 6 and 11 varieties cause around 90% of the genital warts cases. The warts can be observed weeks or even years after a sexual contact with someone who is infected with this condition. Different forms of hpv can result in different health conditions.

The hpv types that infect ano-genital areas in individuals are transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Around 75% of individuals who are sexually active suffer from at least one hpv condition or infection during their lifetime. The hpv infection can be diagnosed through visual examination of the warts and also through a test like a routine Pap smear test.