What is HPV?

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body, for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV infection can affect the genital area.

What can HPV infection do?

Infection with some types of HPV can cause:

  • abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells within your cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer
  • genital warts, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK

Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas.

Read the answers to more questions about sexual health.

Further information:

Last reviewed: 29/12/2011

Next review due: 28/12/2013

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