Which statement about HPV infection is true?

Which statement about HPV infection is true?

• A. Mucosal HPV is associated with genital warts and cervical dysplasia
• B. Cutaneous HPV is associated with verruca (warts)
• C. HPV only infects mucosal surfaces
• D. HPV infections are always symptomatic

Answer: (A)

HPV has mucosal and cutaneous types, and the mucosal types are the ones most linked to the problems doctors worry about in routine practice. Mucosal HPV infections can affect the genital and other mucous membranes. They include low‑risk strains (like HPV-6 and HPV-11) that commonly cause genital warts and high‑risk strains (like HPV-16 and HPV-18) that are associated with cervical dysplasia and, over time, cervical cancer. This combination—the association of mucosal HPV with both genital warts and cervical dysplasia—fits the statement that is true. Cutaneous HPV types do cause skin warts (verruca), but the clinically important link highlighted here is the mucosal infection’s connection to cervical dysplasia. HPV infections can be asymptomatic as well, which is why screening and vaccination against the high‑risk types are important.

HPV has mucosal and cutaneous types, and the mucosal types are the ones most linked to the problems doctors worry about in routine practice. Mucosal HPV infections can affect the genital and other mucous membranes. They include low‑risk strains (like HPV-6 and HPV-11) that commonly cause genital warts and high‑risk strains (like HPV-16 and HPV-18) that are associated with cervical dysplasia and, over time, cervical cancer. This combination—the association of mucosal HPV with both genital warts and cervical dysplasia—fits the statement that is true.

Cutaneous HPV types do cause skin warts (verruca), but the clinically important link highlighted here is the mucosal infection’s connection to cervical dysplasia. HPV infections can be asymptomatic as well, which is why screening and vaccination against the high‑risk types are important.