The Papilloma virus article covers the general biological features of human and animal papillomaviruses. A human papillomavirus (HPV) is a papillomavirus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of humans. Approximately 130 HPV types have been identified. Some HPV types cause warts (verrucae) or cancer, while others have no symptoms.  Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Estimates suggest that most sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Most people who acquire genital wart-associated HPV types clear the infection rapidly without ever developing warts or any other symptoms.

One study found that, during 2003–2004, at any given time, 26.8% of women aged 14 to 59 were infected with at least one type of HPV. This was higher than previous estimates. 15.2% were infected with one or more of the high-risk types that can cause cancer. However only 3.4% were infected with one or more of the four types prevented by the Gardasil vaccine, which was lower than previous estimates.  Read more…