Viruses are extremely small organisms that enter the living cells and use the cell’s resources to multiply. Hpv virus refers to the human papilloma virus and this is a group of more than 100 related viruses. Every virus in a group is designated a number and this is called the hpv type. Some form of hpv viruses result in warts which are basically non cancerous tumours.

The hpv virus is capable or living in a squamous epithelial cell within the body. These cells are thin and flat cells and are found on the surface of such regions as the skin, vagina, vulva, anus, cervix, penis, throat and mouth. Around 40 hpv types result in warts affecting the genital and anal areas. Some kinds of hpvs cause warts that are cauliflower shaped and these can be observed in the anus and genitals in both men and women.

The genital wart is typically caused by hpv virus 6 or 11. These virus types are low risk viruses as they do not grow into cancer. High risk virus types are those that can result in oral or anal cancer in both women and men. These hpv virus types also cause changes in the cells within the cervix. These hpv types include hpv-16, 18, 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52 and 58.

In most cases the hpv infection is cleared by the immune system and this includes both the high risk as well as the low risk type. The hpv virus can be transmitted from skin to skin contact but it cannot be transmitted through body fluids or blood. Sexual contact is primarily responsible for transmission of this virus and vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person can result in transmission.

In rare cases the hpv virus may be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her newborn child. As many as 6 million individuals get this infection every year in America and around half of these belong to the age group of 15 and 25 years of age. In case of genital hpv no symptoms may be observed unless it is an hpv type that result in genital warts.

Condoms can be effective in preventing the hpv virus from spreading but since they do not provide complete coverage condoms cannot be totally effective. Sexual intercourse in a mutually monogamous relationship with a person who is not infected can be an effective way of preventing this infection.

Diagnosis of hpv virus resulting in genital warts can be done by physical examination of the warts. In other cases a Pap smear can help in diagnosis of the condition. Treatment of this condition includes using some medicines that may be locally applied particularly in the case of the warts. The warts may also be surgically removed in other cases. Where the hpv condition results in cervical cancer treatment for the same may include radiation and chemotherapy as well.