Human papillomavirus disease in adolescents: management and prevention

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of viruses that infect the epithelium of many parts of the body. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is necessary but insufficient to cause cervical cancer. High-risk HPV types are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cancers other than cervical cancer. A large proportion of vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV. Low-risk HPV types cause genital warts. Recent advancement in the prevention of HPV infection, genital warts, and HPV-associated precancers and cancers include vaccination. Until the full potential of vaccination can be attained, cervical cancer screening remains an important component of prevention.