I'm So Lost

Hello Doc,

At the age of 20 I found out that my high school sweetheart had chected on me through a abnormal pap test that stated that i had HPV trate. My doctor was really calm about the news while i broke down and though about my future. I asked if I had Genital Warts but they had seen no sign. "HOW IS THAT POSSIABLE"?? I am now 24 I have made an appointment with my GYN to see if there is still no sign of the worts. I know am getting really sourious with a guy and been talkng about having children. The only problem is that it is going to require to have unprotected sex alot. I had unprotected sex with him last night and I was hoping that he didnt contract the infection. We also had oral sex.I dont understand how can i have a husband and live with HPV

My question is- Can I pass along HPV to my partner by having unprotected sex 1 time?

I there a possibility that i can prevent him from catching it?

Do u think it went away since  I never had any signs of the worts?

[Amie635]

First of all, you had an abnormal pap test, right? Pap tests detect high risk hpv which cause cell changes in the cervix, not low risk hpv which cause warts. So you have high risk hpv which will explain why you have no warts. Also abnormal paps are no indication of cheating, unless of course you were a virgin when you met your sweetheart.

It has been 4 years since your abnormal pap, had you had pap tests during that time? If the Dr suggested no treatment, it is likely that the abnormal changes were very minor. This follow up pap will determine whether or not the HPV is laying dormant in your system or not. Usually the virus lays dormant and therefore no longer contagious after 2 years so it's likely it has gone.

You can give it to your partner, however it is impossible to tell as you don't know your HPV status at the moment. If you have a normal pap then that suggests the virus is 'sleeping' in your system and your partner has a good chance of not catching it. Be careful though because the virus can randomly became active again. You should inform your partner.

The only way to prevent him from catching it is by using a condom or not having sex. HPV is always scary at first but once you learn about it, you see that it isn't as scary as first thought and you can definitely have relationships, so many people do, including me.

The high risk virus is less prominent in men than in females, as the cancers they cause are rare and unlikely.