| Popis: |
Unknown until the second half of the twentieth century, human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognized as being one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, accounting for more than one third of the new cases of STIs each year (http://www.kff.org/womenshealth/1447-std_fs.cfm). Most HPV infections cause no symptoms, other types can cause genital warts, and still others cause invasive squamous cell anogenital carcinoma. This chapter provides an overview of HPV infection—its transmissibility and epidemiology. It focuses on genital warts in its discussion of the clinical consequences of HPV infection and treatment options. The contribution HPV infection makes to various genital cancers is mentioned, but the screening, diagnosis, and treatments of these conditions are outside the scope of this book. |
