Aa
HPV Questions
Doctor,
I had severe itching in my crotch and on my scrotum for two weeks during which time I used Clotrimazole ointment, and when there was not much improvement, I went to a dermatologist.
He said it was very common to have eczema and infection like this and that it would take 2 weeks to get better. He gave me an antibiotic course, as well as a cream to apply (cortisone and antifungal together). At the same time, he pointed to a 4 mm round elevation/growth on my scrotum and asked 'How long have you had this wart like thing?' It was there for possibly the same time as my itching, not longer. At least I did not notice it earlier.
He said he had to confirm but if it was HPV then he would use 'low frequency radiation' and get it out. If it recurred, he would do the same 3 months later and then that would be the end of it.
He got me a random blood sugar and urine culture done - all clear. No problems or infections.
The fungal infection cleared somewhat, but meanwhile the wart like growth became slightly smaller and less rough, but there were 4 other growths on the scrotum. The doctor gave me Clobetasol Propionate and Miconazole Nitrate cream (used for secondary fungal infections) and anti allergic tablets (make me sleepy!), and asked me to use it for another week.
He looked at the growths on the scrotum with a magnifying glass and said it did seem like warts and so we should take them out soon as they seem to be spreading - "take half a day off work and I will use RF; we will just touch the warts and they will be destroyed". They must be HPV 6, he said.
I have only ever had one single partner in life (my wide) and the same would apply for my wife. So we are wondering what the source of this infection might be.
The dermatologist suggested once that the growth might be an 'acrocordon' / skin tag - I have a couple in my armpit and neck, but since later he saw that the growths were multiple on the scrotum he says 'they look like warts as they are spreading'. (Most probably because I scratched?).
Does your wife have any of these, he asked. But she does not have any. Do you swim he asked, but I don't and the information available is clear - could not have got them by swimming as genital warts are not acquired that way.
a). I asked 'I used to give my son a bath everyday - what are the chances of my passing this on to him? He did not seem to think there was a risk. I did not understand that. Is my son at a risk if I gave him a bath and washed him over the last 3- 4 months during which time I did not know I had HPV? (Still do not know for sure!)?
b). I also do not know if I scratched myself elsewhere on my body would it reinfect me in another part of the body?
ie would a genital wart become a wart on the face for example? And woud such a hypothetical wart then be removed with the various remedies or simply use the electro surgery he suggested for my genital warts?
c). Would there be scars following the electrical surgery treatment (5 'warts' in all, on the scrotum)?
d). My wife is 33 but willing to take the Gardasil vaccine if it ould protect her from other forms of HPV even if she may have been exposed to the present one that I seem to have. Is it recommended that she take the Gardasil vaccine? We are in India now.
e). If After 6 months of episode free period she I were to be intimate with each other would I pass on to her any HPV?
f). If I have cleared the virus but she has not, would she reinfect me - assuming that we both have the same HPV type?
g). Will there be a ping pong effect?
h). How long should I be away from my wife physically?
i). Is there some blood titre test that can be done to check whether there indeed was HPV in my body?
j). My mother died of lung cance which spread and became glyoma (non smoker). What are my risks from this wart causing HPV?
Many thanks,
Microbiologist
I had severe itching in my crotch and on my scrotum for two weeks during which time I used Clotrimazole ointment, and when there was not much improvement, I went to a dermatologist.
He said it was very common to have eczema and infection like this and that it would take 2 weeks to get better. He gave me an antibiotic course, as well as a cream to apply (cortisone and antifungal together). At the same time, he pointed to a 4 mm round elevation/growth on my scrotum and asked 'How long have you had this wart like thing?' It was there for possibly the same time as my itching, not longer. At least I did not notice it earlier.
He said he had to confirm but if it was HPV then he would use 'low frequency radiation' and get it out. If it recurred, he would do the same 3 months later and then that would be the end of it.
He got me a random blood sugar and urine culture done - all clear. No problems or infections.
The fungal infection cleared somewhat, but meanwhile the wart like growth became slightly smaller and less rough, but there were 4 other growths on the scrotum. The doctor gave me Clobetasol Propionate and Miconazole Nitrate cream (used for secondary fungal infections) and anti allergic tablets (make me sleepy!), and asked me to use it for another week.
He looked at the growths on the scrotum with a magnifying glass and said it did seem like warts and so we should take them out soon as they seem to be spreading - "take half a day off work and I will use RF; we will just touch the warts and they will be destroyed". They must be HPV 6, he said.
I have only ever had one single partner in life (my wide) and the same would apply for my wife. So we are wondering what the source of this infection might be.
The dermatologist suggested once that the growth might be an 'acrocordon' / skin tag - I have a couple in my armpit and neck, but since later he saw that the growths were multiple on the scrotum he says 'they look like warts as they are spreading'. (Most probably because I scratched?).
Does your wife have any of these, he asked. But she does not have any. Do you swim he asked, but I don't and the information available is clear - could not have got them by swimming as genital warts are not acquired that way.
a). I asked 'I used to give my son a bath everyday - what are the chances of my passing this on to him? He did not seem to think there was a risk. I did not understand that. Is my son at a risk if I gave him a bath and washed him over the last 3- 4 months during which time I did not know I had HPV? (Still do not know for sure!)?
b). I also do not know if I scratched myself elsewhere on my body would it reinfect me in another part of the body?
ie would a genital wart become a wart on the face for example? And woud such a hypothetical wart then be removed with the various remedies or simply use the electro surgery he suggested for my genital warts?
c). Would there be scars following the electrical surgery treatment (5 'warts' in all, on the scrotum)?
d). My wife is 33 but willing to take the Gardasil vaccine if it ould protect her from other forms of HPV even if she may have been exposed to the present one that I seem to have. Is it recommended that she take the Gardasil vaccine? We are in India now.
e). If After 6 months of episode free period she I were to be intimate with each other would I pass on to her any HPV?
f). If I have cleared the virus but she has not, would she reinfect me - assuming that we both have the same HPV type?
g). Will there be a ping pong effect?
h). How long should I be away from my wife physically?
i). Is there some blood titre test that can be done to check whether there indeed was HPV in my body?
j). My mother died of lung cance which spread and became glyoma (non smoker). What are my risks from this wart causing HPV?
Many thanks,
Microbiologist
a) No, there is no risk from the washing. Do not worry about this ever again nor look for ways to justify such worry. No risk.
b)no you can't scratch yourself and get warts there. All warts are HPV I believe but only some are genital. You can't get genital warts on your face for instance nor can you get hand warts on your junk.
c) Scarrage would be minimal to negligible to none at all. It may look like it's going to scar but then it will fade. Be prepared for visual remains of the removal to last for a little bit but it will fade in a month or two. What little mark remains if any do will not be noticeable to anyone unless you point it out.
d)Gardasil not recommended for women your wife's age. nor is it necessary unless you both plan on sleeping around. There is no legitamate need for the vaccine at this point except for you guys having future sex partners other than each other
e) if you go six months with no wart outbreaks you should put your faith in the fact that you are free and clear and will not infect her. The chances that you would are remote. Also keep in mind that warts is not cancer causing. It is a skin blemish that is annoying at most. So be real about it and love each other and be intimate, especially so after the six month mark and do so without fear.
f)if you've cleared the virus but she has not you will not be reinfected so says the expert opinion of the experts. The ping pong effect is generally recognized as not happening.
g)No
h) Don't stop sex. There is no reason to now. If anything, just do your foreplay without rubbing your erection on her vagina and when you are ready put on a condom and have fun. It's skin to skin contact that tranfers the virus so don't rub skins and your cool. I had unprotected sex with my ex a lot while I had warts (I had no warts at the time as I was between active outbreaks) and she never got warts herself. We had sex and four days later I had an outbreak and then after treatment we had unprotected sex again about ten days later. She does not have warts.
i)blood test? Perhaps, you might be able to test for HPV antibodies. But if you have another wart then insist that they do a biopsy on it and find out for sure. I mean, what if it's not and you are now suffering for no reason. Insist on a biopsy and don't rest until you've found a doctor who will send it to the lab.
j)HPV warts do not cause cancer of anyform. Warts are from low-risk HPV. High-risk HPV is responsible for cervical cancer and throat/oral cancers and anal cancers. Your are not at risk.
b)no you can't scratch yourself and get warts there. All warts are HPV I believe but only some are genital. You can't get genital warts on your face for instance nor can you get hand warts on your junk.
c) Scarrage would be minimal to negligible to none at all. It may look like it's going to scar but then it will fade. Be prepared for visual remains of the removal to last for a little bit but it will fade in a month or two. What little mark remains if any do will not be noticeable to anyone unless you point it out.
d)Gardasil not recommended for women your wife's age. nor is it necessary unless you both plan on sleeping around. There is no legitamate need for the vaccine at this point except for you guys having future sex partners other than each other
e) if you go six months with no wart outbreaks you should put your faith in the fact that you are free and clear and will not infect her. The chances that you would are remote. Also keep in mind that warts is not cancer causing. It is a skin blemish that is annoying at most. So be real about it and love each other and be intimate, especially so after the six month mark and do so without fear.
f)if you've cleared the virus but she has not you will not be reinfected so says the expert opinion of the experts. The ping pong effect is generally recognized as not happening.
g)No
h) Don't stop sex. There is no reason to now. If anything, just do your foreplay without rubbing your erection on her vagina and when you are ready put on a condom and have fun. It's skin to skin contact that tranfers the virus so don't rub skins and your cool. I had unprotected sex with my ex a lot while I had warts (I had no warts at the time as I was between active outbreaks) and she never got warts herself. We had sex and four days later I had an outbreak and then after treatment we had unprotected sex again about ten days later. She does not have warts.
i)blood test? Perhaps, you might be able to test for HPV antibodies. But if you have another wart then insist that they do a biopsy on it and find out for sure. I mean, what if it's not and you are now suffering for no reason. Insist on a biopsy and don't rest until you've found a doctor who will send it to the lab.
j)HPV warts do not cause cancer of anyform. Warts are from low-risk HPV. High-risk HPV is responsible for cervical cancer and throat/oral cancers and anal cancers. Your are not at risk.
i would like to answer these questions as best as i can with my limited knowledge..as im also someone who have been fighting warts over the year, so here it is..
a. i think it's not possible. HPV is a skin to skin infection, not skin-water-skin infection. Not 100% sure if it can get into the water then from the water to someone's skin, but if it's possible, then the doctors should already inform us since ages ago (like hepatitis)
b. Nope. There's HPV that cause wart on your mouth or your hand but that's not the same strain with genital wart. If you touch your genital wart and you touch your other genital area afterward, it might move there though. However, even when you dont do anything, as far as i know, virus can also move to other area of genital. It has happened to me, sometimes the spots are just different everytime i have new outbreak
c. depends on your skin type. Just like some people grow acne, most dont. Just like some people leave scars everytime they have a cut, and some others dont. Im the type that leave scars so for me yes...for you maybe yes maybe no.
d. I dont think gardasyl is effective for people above 26 and if she has been infected by you, gardasyl cant help.
e. Not sure but i think when there's no active lesion and you use condom, the chance is not very big. However, there's always a chance. That's why HPV is easily spreadable, because even when there's no active lesion it is still contagious. Maybe you need to wait until 1 year warts-free before you can claim you are 100% free. However, if you ask me, this can be pain in the *** because some people clear HPV for even more than 2 years. You certainly dont want to wait for 5 years...frustrating indeed..
f. I dont think so mate. When you have HPV strain 6 antibody for example, when someone "tries" to pass on the same strain, most likely you wont get another genital wart because you already have the antibody. Of course before you have the antibody you can easily grow new genital warts every time you get the strain 6 HPV. I mean ping pong reaction IS possible before you have that antibody (that can take 2 years to develop) but AFTER you have the antibody it is not possible AFAIK
g. Read my answer above. I think yes and no, depends on whether your body has the antibody yet or not.
h. If i were you, and if your wife is understanding, i wouldnt mind having sex with her all the time. After all she might already have it...i know having genital warts is totally frustrating as it might need 1-2 years to get the antibody we desperately need. From individual case it might be even more than 5 years so better if you can help her understand instead of abstaining from sex until you die (in worst case)
i. I wish there is, but there isnt. Only pap smear test for women to get tested for high risk HPV strain. Not sure about DNA test but there's no DNA test in my country as well as in other countries I know. Havent been going to the states though...
j. lung cancer has no relation at all with HPV. also, wart causing HPV is a low risk strain and IT DOES NOT cause cancer. There's a chance though that you might get both low risk HPV and high risk HPV (high risk one is the one that can cause cervical cancer when it's passed to a woman). The only way to know is for your wife to regularly get her pap smear tested. If it becomes abnormal she should get treated and she'll be free from cervical cancer (keep in mind she should be regularly tested)
*My source: myself, been fighting with HPV for a year now, and have been talking to 5 different dermatologist and 2 people from popular STD clinic in my country. I also have spent $20 to ask the doctor here in medhelp although his answer wasnt satisfying enough for me :(
a. i think it's not possible. HPV is a skin to skin infection, not skin-water-skin infection. Not 100% sure if it can get into the water then from the water to someone's skin, but if it's possible, then the doctors should already inform us since ages ago (like hepatitis)
b. Nope. There's HPV that cause wart on your mouth or your hand but that's not the same strain with genital wart. If you touch your genital wart and you touch your other genital area afterward, it might move there though. However, even when you dont do anything, as far as i know, virus can also move to other area of genital. It has happened to me, sometimes the spots are just different everytime i have new outbreak
c. depends on your skin type. Just like some people grow acne, most dont. Just like some people leave scars everytime they have a cut, and some others dont. Im the type that leave scars so for me yes...for you maybe yes maybe no.
d. I dont think gardasyl is effective for people above 26 and if she has been infected by you, gardasyl cant help.
e. Not sure but i think when there's no active lesion and you use condom, the chance is not very big. However, there's always a chance. That's why HPV is easily spreadable, because even when there's no active lesion it is still contagious. Maybe you need to wait until 1 year warts-free before you can claim you are 100% free. However, if you ask me, this can be pain in the *** because some people clear HPV for even more than 2 years. You certainly dont want to wait for 5 years...frustrating indeed..
f. I dont think so mate. When you have HPV strain 6 antibody for example, when someone "tries" to pass on the same strain, most likely you wont get another genital wart because you already have the antibody. Of course before you have the antibody you can easily grow new genital warts every time you get the strain 6 HPV. I mean ping pong reaction IS possible before you have that antibody (that can take 2 years to develop) but AFTER you have the antibody it is not possible AFAIK
g. Read my answer above. I think yes and no, depends on whether your body has the antibody yet or not.
h. If i were you, and if your wife is understanding, i wouldnt mind having sex with her all the time. After all she might already have it...i know having genital warts is totally frustrating as it might need 1-2 years to get the antibody we desperately need. From individual case it might be even more than 5 years so better if you can help her understand instead of abstaining from sex until you die (in worst case)
i. I wish there is, but there isnt. Only pap smear test for women to get tested for high risk HPV strain. Not sure about DNA test but there's no DNA test in my country as well as in other countries I know. Havent been going to the states though...
j. lung cancer has no relation at all with HPV. also, wart causing HPV is a low risk strain and IT DOES NOT cause cancer. There's a chance though that you might get both low risk HPV and high risk HPV (high risk one is the one that can cause cervical cancer when it's passed to a woman). The only way to know is for your wife to regularly get her pap smear tested. If it becomes abnormal she should get treated and she'll be free from cervical cancer (keep in mind she should be regularly tested)
*My source: myself, been fighting with HPV for a year now, and have been talking to 5 different dermatologist and 2 people from popular STD clinic in my country. I also have spent $20 to ask the doctor here in medhelp although his answer wasnt satisfying enough for me :(
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