Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted. HPV infections are common and usually harmless, but certain types can cause health problems like genital warts and various cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, throat, and oropharyngeal cancer.

Key Points:

1. Transmission: HPV is mainly spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Even asymptomatic individuals can transmit the virus.
2. Types of HPV: HPV strains are categorized into "low-risk" and "high-risk" types.

• Low-risk HPV (e.g., types 6 and 11): These strains can cause benign conditions like genital warts but don’t lead to cancer.
• High-risk HPV (e.g., types 16 and 18): These are oncogenic and can cause various cancers, most notably cervical cancer.

1. Infection Outcomes:

• The immune system clears most HPV infections within 1-2 years without causing symptoms or health issues.
• Persistent infections with high-risk HPV strains, however, can lead to cellular changes that may eventually result in cancer.

1. Prevention:

• HPV Vaccines: Vaccination can protect against the most dangerous strains. Gardasil 9, for example, protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, and others that cause most HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
• Safe Practices: Using condoms can lower the risk of HPV transmission but does not fully eliminate it due to skin-to-skin contact.

1. Screening and Detection:

• Pap Smear: A test that screens for cervical cancer by detecting precancerous or cancerous changes in cervical cells.
• HPV Test: Identifies the presence of high-risk HPV strains directly.