HPV is a small DNA virus from the Papovaviridae family, species Papillomavirus. Around 150 different HPV genotypes are known to this day. According to the affinity for different tissues, they are divided into two groups: cutaneous and mucosal. Regarding their oncogenic potential, the modern division of genital HPV genotypes classifies the viruses into two groups: the low-risk and the high-risk group. The most important low-risk HPV genotypes are HPV 6 and 11, while the most important high-risk HPV genotypes are HPV 16 and 18. HPV infects epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes and in these areas it can cause benign, pre-malignant and malignant changes in both sexes, therefore the diseases connected to HPV can be divided into skin and mucosal lesions of the genital and extragenital area. The genital HPV infection is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted diseases today and a growing epidemiological and public health problem. It is generally recognized today that HPV is the etio-pathogenetic factor of cervical carcinoma, the second most frequent carcinoma in the world and one of the leading causes of death of women in developing countries. The diagnosis of HPV infections is based on cytological and molecular analysis but as far as therapy is concerned, there is no licensed antiviral drug for treating HPV infections. Modern strategies which help fight HPV infections are appropriate education of young people, responsible sexual behaviour, vaccination, secondary prevention through cytology-based screenings and good diagnostics.