What is the difference between the high-risk and low-risk types of HPV?
Both high-risk and low-risk types of genital HPV can cause changes or growths on the tissue of a woman’s cervix. The cervix is part of the uterus that opens to the vagina. Growths are usually flat and invisible. Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. Most HPV infections do not progress to cervical cancer. • Having high-risk HPV is not the same as having cervical cancer. Usually, these high-risk HPV types cause no health problems at all and go away on their own. Persistent high-risk HPV (infection that does not go away) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. The good news is that cervical cell changes can be found with regular Pap tests, and treated to prevent cervical cancer from ever developing. • Low-risk types of HPV can cause genital warts. Warts can form weeks, months, or years after sexual contact with a person who has genital HPV. Genital wart
