Human papillomavirus infection is an infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), a DNA virus from the papillomavirus family, of which over 150 types are known. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and resolve spontaneously. More than 40 types are transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anus and genitals. In some, they persist and result in warts or precancerous lesions. The precancerous lesions increase the risk of cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, or throat. Nearly all cervical cancer is due to HPV with two types, HPV16 and HPV18, accounting for 70% of cases. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. Most people are infected at some point in their lives. Risk factors for persistent HPV infections include early age of first sexual intercourse, multiple partners, smoking, and poor immune function. Occasionally, it can spread from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.HPV vaccines can prevent the most common types of infection.
In the present book, fifteen typical literatures about human papillomavirus published on international authoritative journals were selected to introduce the worldwide newest progress, which contains reviews or original researches on medical science, virus disease, virology, epidemiology, ect. We hope this book can demonstrate advances in human papillomavirus as well as give references to the researchers, students and other related people.