Gómez Sugrañes Mª Teresa

Early detection of infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV) by changes in cervico-vaginal cytology (Papanicolaou tests) is effective in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

Most people who have genital HPV infections do not know that they are infected. The "low-risk" types of virus cause visible genital warts or present precancerous changes in the uterine cervix, vulva, anus or penis.

Genital warts generally appear as pinkish or skin-coloured excrescences or wettish lumps, usually in the genital area. The warts may be flat or raised, single or multiple, large or small, and in certain cases may assume the shape of a cauliflower.

There is no "cure" as such for HPV, although in most women the infection disappears on its own.

The safest way is to avoid genital contact with another person. If people decide to be sexually active, the best strategy is a stable monogamous relationship with a medically tested, uninfected partner. HPV is so widespread that only those people who have had no sexual relations can be sure that they have not been exposed to it.

People who decide to be sexually active and are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship can reduce their risk of infection by limiting their number of sexual partners, and by choosing one who has previously had few or no sexual partners in the past.

HPV infection can appear in both male and female genital areas, whether or not they are or have been covered or protected by a latex condom.