How many hpv viruses are there

Nearly 80 million Americans have the infection, and about 14 million become newly infected every year. In fact, most sexually active people contract HPV at some point in their lives. The virus spreads easily through skin-to-skin sexual contact.

More than 90 percent of all new HPV infections go away or become undetectable within two years, even without treatment.

Yet some HPV infections can stay in the body and lead to complications, including genital warts. These warts may be small or large, flat or raised; they may emerge singly or in a cluster and be cauliflower-shaped. HPV infection may also cause more serious conditions, such as certain types of cancer. There are more than types. About 40 of them are spread through direct sexual contact with someone who has the virus. They can also spread through other intimate, skin-to-skin contact.

Some of these types can cause cancer. There are two categories of sexually transmitted HPV. Low-risk HPV can cause warts on or around your genitals , anus, mouth, or throat. High-risk HPV can cause various cancers:. Most HPV infections go away on their own and don't cause cancer. But sometimes the infections last longer.

When a high-risk HPV infection lasts for many years, it can lead to cell changes. If these changes are not treated, they may get worse over time and become cancer.

HPV infections are very common. Nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV soon after they become sexually active. Some people develop warts from certain low-risk HPV infections, but the other types including the high-risk types have no symptoms. Infection with high-risk HPV hrHPV types that are not cleared by the immune system can cause cervical cancers and a significant proportion of cancers of the anus, oropharynx, vagina, vulva and penis.

HPV cancers take many years to develop. The 14 most cancer-causing HPV types include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and However, not all infections with HPV 16 or 18 do progress to cancer. In addition, HPV 16 is strongly associated with anal cancer and throat cancer. Current research indicates that high-risk HPV changes the host human cell but its growth needs additional triggers to cause cancer.

Since there might not be any signs, a person may have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sex. There are over different kinds of HPV and not all of them cause health problems. Some kinds of HPV may cause problems like genital warts.

Some kinds of HPV can also cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, or anus. Most of these problems are caused by types 6, 11, 16 or Is there a test for HPV? It tests for the kinds of HPV that may lead to cervical cancer. It may find HPV even before there are changes to the cervix. Women who have the HPV test still need to get the Pap test.

FDA has approved vaccines that prevent certain diseases, including cervical cancer, caused by some types of HPV. Ask your doctor if you should get the HPV Vaccine. There is no cure for the virus HPV itself.