Why does HPV behave differently in different people?

This lesson is part of the WARTES HPV Masterclass. Preview: the first part of the narration.

Let's talk about why this virus behaves differently from one person to another. First, remember that HPV is not a single virus. It is a large family with more than 300 types, and not every member of this family behaves the same way.

Think of them as siblings: they come from the same family, but each has its own character. For example, HPV 6 and 11 are known for causing warts in the genital area. These two types are responsible for about 90 percent of genital warts.

HPV 16 and 18 are different. They usually do not cause visible warts. But if they stay in the cells of the cervix for a long time, they can slowly cause changes in these cells. Still, these are not strict rules. HPV 16 is not found only in the cervix, and HPV 6 is not found only on the outer genital skin.

Now, let's imagine three people. The first person meets HPV 6. The virus settles in the skin cells of the genital area and, over time, speeds up their growth. A few months later, a small bump appears on the skin. That bump is a genital wart.

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