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HPV Types: Innocent Guests and Malicious Stowaways
Unlike HIV, which has probably only affected humans in recent decades, HPV viruses have been present among humans for a very long time. there are over 100 different variations of this virus, the majority of which is harmless. Most HPV types cause warts on the skin, and although benign tumors can be annoying, they do not pose a threat to our health.
A number of HPV types cause genital warts. These warts are found on the genitals and they are usually transmitted sexually. However, infection from mother to child can also occur. A rare syndrome which is also caused by this type of HPV, is warts on the vocal cords. these laryngeal warts virtually only affect children and are most likely not transmitted sexually. The two most important subtypes of HPV that are related to causing cancer, are referred to as HPV 16 and HPV 18. Apart from carcinoma of the cervix, they occasionally cause penis cancer in men.