ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double-stranded DNA virus, which characteristically integrates into the host cell genome. HPV preferentially infects squamous epithelial cells, including skin and anogenital and respiratory mucosa. Although HPV transmission is often clinically silent and infection does not present an immediate threat to health, HPV causes a significant burden of ill health. Anogenital HPV is typically acquired through sexual contact in adolescence or early adulthood, but there is also evidence of vertical and horizontal HPV transmission in young children and there may be a bimodal age distribution. HPV is usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, and it has been shown that infection of the basal epithelium depends on micro wounding and repair of the epithelium. Not only are genital warts the most common viral infection triggering individuals to seek sexual health care, but HPV types associated with cancer are necessary for almost all cervical cancers and a range of other squamous cell malignancies.