There are over 100 strains of HPV identified.  They are referred to by number.  Numbers 16 and 18 are believed to cause  seventy percent of all cervical cancer.  These are high risk strains and 11 other strains have been classified as high risk also.  Two other low risk strains, 6 and 11,  cause most of the genital warts.  There are about 30 strains of the HPV virus family associated with genital wart infections.

Genital HPV is transmitted by close contact of the sexual kind.  Condoms provide some protection but it can be transmitted through sweat, skin to skin.  It probably can not be transmitted through clothing or unwashed surfaces.  There have been some reports of transmission in tanning beds.  It is considered the most common STD in the world with an estimated forty million Americans infected.  Except for biopsy of skin lesions the diagnosis can not be made in men.  Women can be screened for HPV when their pap test is collected from their cervix.  There is no test that can certify that anyone is free of HPV.

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