I need help.

Hi. I need help. I'm 16 and I found out my ex girlfriend who was MY first sexual partner has HPV. I went to get checked and they said there is no test for males, that it's all visual, that they would need to see if I had warts and that they couldn't do that if I don't. Well I researched this so many times and idk for sure if a guy can get one on/in the anus but Im scared I might so I'm going to get it checked out. I'm not sure if she passed it to me but i can't doubt it knowing that I tried everything with her (vaginal, oral, anal). I'm starting to date new girls but I don't want to spread this stupid virus so I'm not having any sexual relations with any girls. But can I still kiss? How long could this virus last? and to make sure should I get my butt looked at? Plus if I do have one in my butt what will happen? what will they do to me to rid me of it?  

[Kayla_Marie_x3]

Good choice on not spreading it.. My advice would be not to do anything with girls until you find out.. I heard that this virus can go away I'd ask your doctor all questions you have.. Dont google it bc the internet will make it seem a million times worse.. Just figured I'd respond bc no one else has.. Dont be scared to ask the doctor all questions you have. Maybe write them down before your appointment so you don't forget anything.

[DasKapital]

Hi JC- I'm sorry to hear you're so stressed out about possibly being infected with HPV. There are a few things you should know that will help you understand the virus and how it will (and won't affect you).

First of all, you say that you are 16, and that you found out that your first sexual partner has been diagnosed with HPV. I can see how that would stress you out. But there are a few things you should know about HPV that will keep your head on straight.

1) She may have contracted HPV AFTER you two dated. If that is the case, then you wouldn't have caught HPV from her.
2) You may have dated long enough in the past, that even if you were infected, your body will have cleared the virus from your system already.
2a) Even if you are infected, your body will clear the virus within a few months. Two years at the most.
3) Most importantly, even if you didn't get HPV from her, if you plan to continue having sex during the course of your life (which it sounds like you will be), you are going to get multiple strains of HPV. That's just the way it is. Something like 85% of people will have contracted at least one strain of HPV during their lifetime. If you're going to have sex, it's pretty unavoidable. Depending on the strain(s) you catch, you may never even know it. (Only the wart-causing strains would alert you to your infection).

So, long story short- unless you notice any warts on or around your penis, there is no point in stressing out over it. Unless you develop warts, you will never know for sure that you have HPV without detailed (and unnecessary) lab testing. Even if you do develop warts, the virus will clear from your body in between 6-24 months.

Second, kissing is extremely extremely low risk for any STDs, including HPV. Although oral HPV has been documented, it's very, very rare, and when it has been documented, it's been found to be as a result of oral sex. I've never read anything about kissing spreading HPV. I could be wrong, but I think if you ask the doctors on the forum, you'll find they think it's equally unlikely.

Third, I would only recommend having your anal cavity looked at if you develop warts and have reason to think that you'd have one back there. At this stage, I would lean very heavily in the "don't bother" direction... but if it makes you feel better, knock yourself out. I think the doctor will just tell you the same thing I have.

Try to understand that HPV is a fact of life, and you are going to catch one strain or another sometime. When you do, your body will clear it within two years... often without you ever even knowing you had it.