Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 200 viruses, some of which are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Most people will become infected in the first few years after becoming sexually active. La mayoría de las personas se infectarán en los primeros años después de haber iniciado su actividad sexual.

There are two groups of sexually transmitted HPV:

1. Low-risk HPV.
2. 2. High-risk HPV.

Low-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) do not cause cancer, however, some of these are responsible for the appearance of warts in the genital area, anus, mouth, or throat.

There are about 14 types of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which are each named with a number, and these are: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68. HPV types 16 and HPV 18 cause the majority of HPV-related cancers.

How common is HPV infection?

It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which means that almost all sexually active people will be infected with HPV within a few months or years after starting their sexual life. About half of these infections are from a high-risk type of HPV.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) infects both men and women and both can develop cancer because to this infection.

Immune system and human papillomavirus (HPV)

Most HPV infections do not cause cancer, because the immune system almost always takes over fighting and controlling the infection. There are exceptions, in which the immune system fails to control HPV infections and these persist, producing cellular changes that could evolve into cancer.

Link de referencia: https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/causas-prevencion/riesgo/germenes-infecciosos/vph-y-cancer