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Is there a cure for the virus that causes gential warts?
My boyfriend told me that he had gential warts several years ago. Is the virus still there even though you dont have any warts? I have read that there is no cure and then read that it naturally leaves the body, so Im not sure what to believe. Can I still contract this virus if its been a few years? Is this virus similar to gential herpes in a sence that warts can come back and the virus stays with you forever?
It is most likely true that in a very, very small group of people, genital warts can persist (most likely, the immunocompromised). Still, I'd be curious to know what he means by saying he's had it for years. It's altogether possible that he caught one strain, developed warts from it... then caught another strain, and developed warts from it. That could make it seem like he is dealing with the same virus over a long period of time.
I'd also be curious to know whether or not he actually has dealt with warts or something different altogether. There are a number of skin conditions that can look like warts, but are not. Long story short, genital warts very, very rarely stick around for years.
In fact, of the most prominent HPV strains, the ones that cause genital warts tend to clear faster than the ones that do not. Dr. HHH, Dr. Hook, and research I've read has said that the average time for strains of HPV that cause genital warts to clear is about nine months.
I'm not saying the guy is being misleading (because really, who would lie about having GW), but I'd be curious to know how long he has had them and if he has regularly seen a doctor to have them treated. If not, I'd be skeptical that what he's been dealing with has even been warts.
I'd also be curious to know whether or not he actually has dealt with warts or something different altogether. There are a number of skin conditions that can look like warts, but are not. Long story short, genital warts very, very rarely stick around for years.
In fact, of the most prominent HPV strains, the ones that cause genital warts tend to clear faster than the ones that do not. Dr. HHH, Dr. Hook, and research I've read has said that the average time for strains of HPV that cause genital warts to clear is about nine months.
I'm not saying the guy is being misleading (because really, who would lie about having GW), but I'd be curious to know how long he has had them and if he has regularly seen a doctor to have them treated. If not, I'd be skeptical that what he's been dealing with has even been warts.
I met a guy the other day who told me he has gential warts. He said he has had it for years and that new warts grow back often. Maybe it stays for some and goes away for others? Thank you all so much for your time and information.
Any health center probably will, but insurance won't cover it. Insurance only covers females below the age of 27 so far, and the shot was JUST approved for males. Everyone can get it, and I'm fairly certain any center that has some of the vaccine will be happy to give it to anyone, but unless you are a female under the age of 27, you'll be paying for it out of pocket (about 150 dollars per dose).
Even though I was diagnosed last year, I still got the vaccine to protect me from the other strains I may not have. I figured the out of pocket expense was worth it, but of course, if others think it's too steep, I'd understand.
Even though I was diagnosed last year, I still got the vaccine to protect me from the other strains I may not have. I figured the out of pocket expense was worth it, but of course, if others think it's too steep, I'd understand.
DasKap-
Do you know anyone that gives the vaccination to males over 30?
Do you know anyone that gives the vaccination to males over 30?
The Gardasil shot takes place over six months. You get the second shot two months after the first, and the third shot six months after the first. They say you have almost 100% immunity after the second shot, but once you get the third, you are said to be completely immunized. That third shot is sort of like a short term booster.
Another thing to keep in mind with Gardasil is that it is a series of shots that takes place over a three month period I believe. That's why doctors say it's best to have it young so you haven't exposed yourself to any forms of the virus yet. I'm not sure if there is a period during or after the Gardasil regime that your body is still building immunity to the strains it exposes you to, but that is stuff to keep in mind. You don't just go to the doctor, get stuck with a needle and then go home to do it with no condom.
Cheers
Cheers
A few points of clarification-
First, there is no cure for the virus, but if you contract it, your body will probably clear the virus within two years. Research has shown that in 90% of cases of HPV infection, the immune system suppresses the virus to levels such that a) you will never get any more warts, and b) you are not infectious to other people you have sex with. At which point you are no longer infectious is a point of debate, but Dr. HHH in the expert forum says that once you go six months without a new genital wart, you are probably clear of the virus and no longer contagious.
Second, if your boyfriend had genital warts several years ago, it is very highly likely that he has already cleared the virus and he is not infectious to you. Most likely, his immune system has taken care of his infection a long time ago and it will never cause him (or you) any problems again. That said, people with compromised immune systems (for example, people with HIV, people undergoing chemotherapy, etc.) can have recurrences. People with healthy immune systems, though, often avoid ever seeing genital warts again in their lifetime once it clears their body.
Third, you asked if HPV is like herpes in that the virus stays with you forever. Some doctors argue that the HPV virus stays with you the rest of your life. They are referring to the fact that you will always have HPV DNA in the same way you always have some measure of DNA related to every virus you've ever caught. That is true. What all doctors agree on, however, is that even if you have HPV DNA at the cellular level, in most cases, the human body gets the virus under control, and for all purposes, you are cured of the virus. It may remain in your body in an extremely small amount, but that amount is SO small, that it won't even show up in even the most sensitive tests and is no longer contagious.
Finally, to clarify a point that sunshine made- I agree that it is important to get the Gardasil shot even if you already have genital warts. It will protect you from other prominent HPV strains that you may not have caught yet. That said, HPV types 6 and 11 cause genital warts, but they do NOT go on to cause cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 go on to cause cervical cancer in some cases. The only way you can know if you have type 16 or 18 is by getting a pap smear. Relax though, even if you find someday that you contracted type 16 or 18, it only goes onto cervical cancer in a minority of cases. In the vast majority of cases, the human body clears the virus before it causes any health problems. A LEEP procedure may be necessary in some cases, but as long as you go for regular pap smears, you should be just fine.
First, there is no cure for the virus, but if you contract it, your body will probably clear the virus within two years. Research has shown that in 90% of cases of HPV infection, the immune system suppresses the virus to levels such that a) you will never get any more warts, and b) you are not infectious to other people you have sex with. At which point you are no longer infectious is a point of debate, but Dr. HHH in the expert forum says that once you go six months without a new genital wart, you are probably clear of the virus and no longer contagious.
Second, if your boyfriend had genital warts several years ago, it is very highly likely that he has already cleared the virus and he is not infectious to you. Most likely, his immune system has taken care of his infection a long time ago and it will never cause him (or you) any problems again. That said, people with compromised immune systems (for example, people with HIV, people undergoing chemotherapy, etc.) can have recurrences. People with healthy immune systems, though, often avoid ever seeing genital warts again in their lifetime once it clears their body.
Third, you asked if HPV is like herpes in that the virus stays with you forever. Some doctors argue that the HPV virus stays with you the rest of your life. They are referring to the fact that you will always have HPV DNA in the same way you always have some measure of DNA related to every virus you've ever caught. That is true. What all doctors agree on, however, is that even if you have HPV DNA at the cellular level, in most cases, the human body gets the virus under control, and for all purposes, you are cured of the virus. It may remain in your body in an extremely small amount, but that amount is SO small, that it won't even show up in even the most sensitive tests and is no longer contagious.
Finally, to clarify a point that sunshine made- I agree that it is important to get the Gardasil shot even if you already have genital warts. It will protect you from other prominent HPV strains that you may not have caught yet. That said, HPV types 6 and 11 cause genital warts, but they do NOT go on to cause cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 go on to cause cervical cancer in some cases. The only way you can know if you have type 16 or 18 is by getting a pap smear. Relax though, even if you find someday that you contracted type 16 or 18, it only goes onto cervical cancer in a minority of cases. In the vast majority of cases, the human body clears the virus before it causes any health problems. A LEEP procedure may be necessary in some cases, but as long as you go for regular pap smears, you should be just fine.
I contracted genital warts through my boyfriend, but all my syptoms went away, I go for a pap smear on monday to have myself checked again. Im not sure if it goes away.. but IF your at risk of getting it, you should get the gardasil hpv vaccine shot, it protects against cervical cancer which you could get from genital warts. Its hard to deal with.... but you should def check into that vaccine! Good luck :)
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