HPV stands for human papilloma virus. Some types may cause genital warts. Some types may cause changes in cells. These types increase the risk of cervical and certain other cancers.
Most types seem to have no harmful effect at all.
This brochure is about the HPVs associated with cervical cancer. Genital HPV infections are very common. Up to 20 million people in the U.S. have them. But most don't know it. Vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse spread genital HPV infections.