Wondering what really HPV is? Well, the Human Papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV, is a viral infection that spreads from through skin to skin during sexual intercourse. HPV is a group of over 100 different viruses, with at least 30 strains known to cause different types of cancer. There is currently no cure for HPV.

How Can You Get HPV
HPV is transmitted by skin to skin contact through vaginal, anal and oral sex with a partner who already has HPV. If infected, signs and symptoms may take weeks, months and even years to appear. Symptoms may never appear.

Symptoms of HPV
Symptoms of HPV normally appear in the form a cauliflower like growths called genital warts. These warts may also be flat. They can be found on the inside and the outside of the vagina. These growths may take weeks or even years to show after having sex with an infected partner. Again, they may appear show at all.

How Do You Know If You Have HPV?
Not all strains of HPV cause cancer. Other strains of HPV can produce genital warts, which are cauliflower-like growths that occur on and around the vagina, penis, and anus.

Diagnosing HPV in Women:
The best method of detecting and diagnosing HPV in women is through a regular pelvic exam and Pap smear. A pelvic exam allows the doctor to exam the vagina closely to check for genital warts.

The Pap smear can detect precancerous changes on the cervix caused by HPV that could lead to cancer. Remember, this type of HPV does not normally cause any symptoms, so a regular Pap smear is essential. If left undetected, high-risk strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer.

Diagnosing HPV in Men:
There is no screening test available for men to determine if they are infected with HPV. Genital warts can be diagnosed through visual examination of the penis and surrounding areas.

An HPV test can be done to determine if a person has HPV. Testing samples of cervical cells is an effective way to identify high-risk types of HPVs that may be present. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an HPV test that can identify 13 of the high-risk types of HPVs associated with the development of cervical cancer. There is currently no test to determine if a man has HPV.