WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

HPV and HIV

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body, for example, in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat.

HPV is a common and highly contagious infection, with over three quarters of sexually active women acquiring it at some time in their lives. There are more than 100 types of HPV and around 40 types can affect the genital area, causing genital warts.

HIV The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease.

It’s most commonly caught by having sex without a condom but can also be passed on by sharing infected needles, and from an Hiv-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life despite it.