What does papillomavirus mean?
Papillomavirus is the formal name for a group of DNA viruses, including the numerous types that infect humans and are collectively known as HPV. Human papillomaviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses with circular DNA genomes. Most infections are harmless and resolve without symptoms, but persistent infection with certain high-risk types can lead to cervical and other cancers. Other types cause common warts or benign growths called papillomas, while some affect the mouth, throat, and skin. In public discussion, papillomavirus is closely associated with vaccination, sexual-health guidance, and cervical screening, although transmission can occur through skin-to-skin contact as well as sexual contact. The word is most useful in scientific and clinical settings because it identifies the virus rather than the growth or disease it causes. It also distinguishes these viruses from other biological agents and provides a clear connection to the medical term papilloma.
nounAny of a family of DNA viruses that infect humans and other animals and may cause papillomas, including warts. Human papillomaviruses are commonly abbreviated HPV.
- Any virus belonging to the family Papillomaviridae, including types that infect humans and other animals.
- In nontechnical usage, a human papillomavirus, especially one associated with genital warts, vaccination, or cancer screening.
"Persistent infection with certain types of human papillomavirus can increase the risk of cervical cancer."
"The laboratory identified papillomavirus DNA in the biopsy sample."
"Health officials recommended catch-up vaccination against the most common types of human papillomavirus."
The standard plural adds -es and is used when referring to different types of papillomavirus.
"Different papillomaviruses vary in their symptoms, persistence, and associated health risks."
A papillomavirus earns its name from the wart-like growths it can produce, but its best-known human member, HPV, can also play a role in cancer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of papillomavirus
The word is a scientific formation combining papilloma with virus. The element papillo- comes from Latin papilla, meaning “nipple,” reflecting the nipple-like appearance of the growths also called papillomas, while -virus comes from Latin for “poison” or infectious material and was established in biology as a term for infectious agents. The resulting name identifies a virus by its characteristic association with papillomas.
How papillomavirus is actually used
The term is formal and chiefly occurs in medical, biological, and public-health contexts. Because papillomavirus can refer to animal viruses as well as human ones, HPV or human papillomavirus is usually preferred when human infection is specifically intended.
Easily confused with papillomavirus
A papilloma is the benign, wart-like growth that some papillomaviruses cause; a papillomavirus is the infectious agent itself.
Polyomaviruses form a different family of DNA viruses and are not the papillomaviruses associated with warts and papillomas.