What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that is transmitted through sexual contact. There are many different types of HPV, some of which can cause warts on the skin, while others can lead to cancer. In fact, HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer and also contributes to the development of other types of cancer such as anal, penile, vaginal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. HPV is very common, and most sexually active people will contract it at some point. Fortunately, in most cases, the body's immune system is able to clear the virus without any treatment. However, in some cases, the virus can persist and cause health problems, which is why regular cervical cancer screenings and HPV vaccinations are important for both women and men.

This mind map was published on 18 June 2023 and has been viewed 128 times.