Papillomavirus, human
One of the family of more than 100 viruses that are responsible for causing warts. Abbreviated HPV. The majority of HPVs produce warts on the hands, fingers, or face. Most of these warts are innocuous, causing nothing more than cosmetic concerns. Several types of HPV are confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals, producing genital warts, and have been identified as a cause of cancer of the cervix and other cancers of the ano-genital region. The HPVs that cause wartlike growths on the genitals are sexually transmitted. A vaccine is available that protects against infection by the most common types of HPVs that are associated with cancer and genital warts.
Read Also:
- Papillomatosis, recurrent respiratory
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis involves the growth of numerous warty growths in the larynx on the vocal cords in children and young adults. A baby can contract recurrent respiratory papillomatosis by being contaminated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) during birth through the vaginal canal of a mother with genital warts (which are also due to […]
- Papillomatosis, laryngeal
The presence of numerous warty growths on the vocal cords caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is contracted at birth via the ‘vaginal canal of a mother with genital warts. Laryngeal papillomatosis is most common in young children under age 3 but m
- Patho-
A prefix derived from the Greek “pathos” meaning “suffering or disease.” Patho- serves as a prefix for many terms including pathogen (disease agent), pathogenesis (development of disease), pathology (study of disease), etc. The corresponding suffix is -pathy.
- Pathogen
An agent of disease. For example, Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen that causes anthrax.
- Pathogen inactivation
A process designed to eliminate pathogens from water, air or donated blood. Pathogens include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Sewage purification systems depend upon pathogen inactivation to purify water to the extent it may be safe enough to drink. Air purification systems may incorporate a HEPA filter to cleanse the air of germs. Pathogen inactivation in […]