What is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomaviruses. They are a group of more than 200 types of related viruses that can cause warts on different parts of your body. About 40 of those types affect the genitals and are spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. There are two categories of sexually-transmitted HPV. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can cause various cancers in men and women. Learn more about vaccines, who is at risk, and how to screen for HPV.