HPV infection Overview HPV infection is a viral infection. There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause skin growths called warts and some types of HPV infection can cause cancer. Most HPV infections don't lead to cancer. But some types of genital HPV can cause cancer of the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, called the cervix. Other types of cancers have been linked to HPV infection. These include cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and back of the throat. Cancer at the back of the throat is called oropharyngeal cancer. These infections are often passed through sex or through other skin-to-skin contact. Vaccines can help protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer. Symptoms Usually, the body's immune system defeats an HPV infection before it creates warts. Different types of HPV produce different warts, including: Genital warts. Some appear flat. Others look...