HPV

Hello, I recently discovered my boyfriend has HPV. He discovered the warts were around his anus. This really concerns me because i know HPV is contracted sexually through skin to skin rubbing of infected areas. My question is if this means he had a homosexual encounter seeing as the location of the warts was only around his anus. Does this mean someone had anal sex with him? Also, does it mean for sure I have it now? I know its difficult to asses who gave it to whom but I have never in my life had an outbreak so I think he must have contracted it from someone else.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, anal warts do not necessarily imply anal sex.  In fact, it really isn't possible to say where people get warts from or how.  This is frustrating but true.  You don't necessarily have it now, but you should get regular Gyn exams and Pap smears, which you presumably do anyway, or should.  Just so your lines of communication remain open with your boyfriend, you should consider discussing your worries with him, but if he denies anal sexual encounters, you can believe him.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[JustCurious1]

Would like to know if by any chance there is a cure for HPV I know I have heard on the news that there is a vaccine that can be taken and the virus will go away I am just wondering if that is true..and if anyone knows about it..