A bunch of HPV questions

Hi!

I was diagnosed with low-risk and high-risk hpv when I was 17, about 14 years ago. I got my cervix nice and fried, and the high-risk didn't return for a few years, when we had to burn it again; but my regular pap smears have been clear for a while, so I think I'm okay on that end. However, the only wart I got from the low-risk type hpv is located right on the hood of my clitoris, and not one surgeon has accepted to remove it - they say it's too sensitive a spot, and better just let it clear on its own.

Except after 13 years it's still there. It hasn't spread, I have never heard from any ex that they had warts, and I was told it's possible it's just a scar by now and the viral load is gone. I tried Aldara, interferon injections, and a long time ago an acidic solution that just hurt like mad but never did anything. This thing is UNKILLABLE! But is it still dangerous?

I got a new wart on my labia about 2 years ago, a few months after meeting my boyfriend. We had a couple of "chats" about who gave it to whom, me thinking I'd been in the clear for 12 years so it probably came from him; and him arguing he'd only been with two women before - including a virgin. So who knows? Whatever, in the end, what is done is done and after 2 1/2 years of unprotected sex (we're free of anything else than HPV) I'm pretty sure he's got all of my HPV and I've got all of his - if he ever had any. That 2nd wart was removed quickly with cryo.

So all seems good until 2 weeks ago when this thing showed up on my anus AND STARTED ITCHING LIKE CRAZY!! I got it checked a couple of days ago and the doc says it's a wart, and I'm getting it removed tomorrow. He was pretty evasive about a couple of my questions, so I was hoping a doctor here would have some answers for me.

1. Can that anal wart come from the same virus that gave me the one on my clitoris 14 years ago? Since my high-risk hpv has come back at least once in the past, and my clitoris wart never disappeared, it's pretty obvious my immune system isn't so great at fighting the virus...
2. Is it possible that my clitoris wart is STILL ACTIVE? Can it have periods of activity and periods of dormancy?
3. I'm assuming at this stage that even if my HPVs have been dormant for the past 2 years, my boyfriend probably has caught them all, and if he's shown no sign, he's either built an immunity or will never show any symptoms. Am I right?
4. With that new anal wart, it seems like at least one type of HPV is active again - does that mean I'm more contagious to him? Does it matter, should we abstain from sex (we have been since I noticed the anal wart), or is it too late anyway?
5. Any danger in oral sex? I would hate for him to get warts in his mouth or throat because he's going down on me... is it a risk, even after 14 years and nobody ever showing any sort of symptom like that?
6. Can my boyfriend get tested for HPV, low-risk or high-risk? We were told no, as long as he had no warts, but I thought I'd check again!

And finally -

7. My mom keeps telling me that the HPV spread from my vulvar area to my anal area because I wear thongs and they're not very hygienic. Now, I'm very thorough about personal hygiene, and I really care about my thongs; is she right? Could this little piece of fabric have spread the virus? I'd hate to have to revert to regular underwear, but of course I will if it prevents any spread of the virus.

Also... any idea whether they're working on a cure? I got the vaccine last year, albeit 14 years too late; but I'd love to know whether at some point something will come out that will get me rid of the wart on my clitoris, because it's becoming more and more painful, which is not very comfortable during sex.

Thank you so much for your help; I will show this page to my BF when I get answers because we've both really been wondering what's up.

Many cheers!

[ibizan]

the doctors forum is to the right of this page....see Experts Forum-std's,click on2 that and repost the question pay$15 to get the doctors answers u r requesting.I will take a stab at a few of ur questions....there is no test for high risk hpv for a man...it will clear on its own..and u can get re-infected with another of 30 diff strains that affect the cervix if he and u have had other partners in between ur relationship.the only way he knows if he's has low risk hpv is by the warts appearing either on him or u.A cure for this?gee we hope so..my gyno sed maybe in 10 years?u should wear cotton undies that don't constrict ur skin from breathing..the rubbing can irritate..i don't know about the spreading.ppl rarely get hpv warts in their mouth from genital contact..but it is possible.I don't think new anal wart comes from a virus 14 years ago..the docs here state that low risk clears the system in 6-12 mos....i'd give it 18 mos...but it sounds like u've been re-infected with a new low risk strain.I'm sure Empathy will post 2 u..she knows a lot about low risk hpv and hopefully some others with reliable info will post 2 u as well!

[empathy60]

1. Can that anal wart come from the same virus that gave me the one on my clitoris 14 years ago? Since my high-risk hpv has come back at least once in the past, and my clitoris wart never disappeared, it's pretty obvious my immune system isn't so great at fighting the virus...

You wouldn't a wart that remained for 14 years.  I agree with other doctors that this is scar tissue.  Aside from the clitoris "wart" (which I don't think is), since you have been wart-free for many years, I believe your new warts have come from a new infection.  It's always possible it's the old infection popping up, but I highly doubt it.  You probably have been reinfected.  This is just my take.  Did you have other partners after your original high risk diagnosis?  This could account for the high risk "coming back", it may have been a second infection.  However, high risk doesn't clear as readily as low risk.  HPV is tricky, and anything is possible.  But I'd put my money on reinfection with the warts.

2. Is it possible that my clitoris wart is STILL ACTIVE? Can it have periods of activity and periods of dormancy?

It wouldn't have stayed for 14 years.  I doubt this is a wart.

3. I'm assuming at this stage that even if my HPVs have been dormant for the past 2 years, my boyfriend probably has caught them all, and if he's shown no sign, he's either built an immunity or will never show any symptoms. Am I right?

You're right, some people never show symptoms when infected with HPV.  He can assume he has this new wart infection you have, but he may never get one.  As for the high risk, since you've been in the clear so long, I doubt he has those strains.  But they wouldn't affect him even if he did.

4. With that new anal wart, it seems like at least one type of HPV is active again - does that mean I'm more contagious to him? Does it matter, should we abstain from sex (we have been since I noticed the anal wart), or is it too late anyway?

Since you've been regularly sexually active for awhile, I would say he has it.  Most are advised to avoid sexual intercourse while having active warts, since one with active warts is considered contagious.  It's really up to him and you and how comfortable you feel with it.  I would get it removed and then resume sexual activity.

5. Any danger in oral sex? I would hate for him to get warts in his mouth or throat because he's going down on me... is it a risk, even after 14 years and nobody ever showing any sort of symptom like that?

Oral sex is low risk.  Very rarely do people get warts in the mouth/throat.  This typically happens in people with severely compromised immune systems from HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc.

6. Can my boyfriend get tested for HPV, low-risk or high-risk? We were told no, as long as he had no warts, but I thought I'd check again!

No.  There is no test for HPV for men.  The only way to surely diagnose HPV in men is for him to show warts.

And finally -

7. My mom keeps telling me that the HPV spread from my vulvar area to my anal area because I wear thongs and they're not very hygienic. Now, I'm very thorough about personal hygiene, and I really care about my thongs; is she right? Could this little piece of fabric have spread the virus? I'd hate to have to revert to regular underwear, but of course I will if it prevents any spread of the virus.

I doubt it spread this way.  There's good information on anal warts without anal sex in the expert forums.

I'm not an expert, and some of the questions you ask would be better suited for one.  I would recommend going through the expert forums and perhaps posting your questions there.  You'll get a much more informed response.

[PrettyHPV]

Thanks a lot for your advice!