A single copy of this article may be reprinted for personal,
noncommercial use only. HPV infectionBy Mayo Clinic staff
Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hpv-
infection/DS00906 HPV infection causes warts. More than 100
varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV) exist. Different types
of HPV infection can cause warts on different parts of your
body. For example, some types of HPV infection cause plantar
warts on the feet, while other varieties of HPV infection are
responsible for the warts that most commonly occur on the hands
or face. There are more than 40 different strains of HPV that
specifically affect the genital area. Most HPV infections don't
lead to cancer, but some types of genital HPV can cause cancer
of the cervix — the passage between the vagina and the uterus.
Vaccines can help protect against the strains of genital HPV
most likely to cause genital warts or cervical cancer. In most
cases, your body's immune system defeats an HPV infection before
it has a chance to create any warts. Wh