Human papiloma virus (HPV) can attack only the cells of the multi-layer squamous epithelium. This means that HPV can attack the skin on every location (including outer genitals) and the mucosal layer of the oral cavity, throat, voice cords, esophagus, eye conjunctiva, vagina, vaginal portion of the uterus and anal opening. There are more than 100 sero-types of HPV. Certain ones have a greater affinity toward the skin and others toward the mucosa. Different types affect both skin and mucosa. Various types of HPV have a bigger affinity to genital regions than others and others affect all the regions equally. Certain types of HPV cause certain lesions like veruca plana, condyloma acuminata etc. Certain types of HPV can’t even cause warts but can cause precancerous lesions that can’t be seen with the bare eye.





HPV can stay alive in the environment for a relatively long time (several hours).





Genital warts can be transmitted with a direct contact (touch) with the wart or indirectly through contaminated objects (clothes, tampons, sex-toys etc.).