Principal Viral STIs: Genital <br />Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
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Human papilloma virus is the most common STI among young, sexually active people, particularly among women. There are currently 20 million people infected with HPV and 6 million new cases each year. It is so common in women, that by age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired an HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV is a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains; over 40 are sexually transmitted and can infect the genitals, rectum, mouth, and throat. It lives in the skin or mucus membranes and most have no harmful effects.Image: McGraw Hill