What is HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus. This virus can infect any part of the skin and mucous membranes. Infection is mainly through skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucous membrane contact. Virus particles can penetrate the skin and mucous membrane surfaces through tiny injuries and infect basal epithelial cells. The most common symptom of HPV infection is the formation of warts at the site of infection, but some infections are asymptomatic. More than 200 types of HPV have been identified to date, of which about 50 can infect the genital area. Based on its association with the development of cancer, HPV can be divided into two categories: high-risk and low-risk. Cancers associated with high-risk HPV include anal cancer, cervical cancer, and penile cancer, etc. Most HPV infections are cleared by the body's immune system within two years. But if high-risk HPV infections persist, they may eventually lead to cancer.