Specifically, types 6 and 11 cause most cases of genital warts, and types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer. Though most people won't suffer long-term health consequences and may never know they have the virus, others may develop cervical cancer or cancers of the head, neck, throat, penis, or anus.Ĭertain types of the virus are known to cause health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 79 million people in the United States are infected with sexually transmitted HPV and 14 million new infections occur annually.
There are 40 strains of the virus that are known to be spread through sexual activity. HPV is actually a group of more than 200 related viruses that can infect various parts of the body.