Virus Question

[iprayy]

I have read so much on this forum, and am very appreciative of it.

Question about viruses:  If people write that the virus has left your body or has gone from your system.  Does this mean for that time only like influenza/common cold comes and goes ?  or with HPV or say herpes Simplex 2 if it is said the virus has cleared will it come back at any stage? somebody wrote that with HPV the virus/warts go away within 2 years.

And how do you test for HPV is it only by way of PAP smear? or can a blood test be done?

Thanks

[alexdelong]

I am not aware of a blood test for HPV, but it behaves more like a cold of the flu than herpes. People with the flu have contracted new strains as opposed to having an old strain reactivate.

Herpes is a little different because the virus "hides" in the  sacral ganglia.

[iprayy]

Thank you.  thank you and thank you again.

So therefore if something that looks like a cluster of warts was to appear 5-7years ago on the inside of the thighs then dissapear within 10 days and has not returned, this means it will not return unless there is skin to skin contact with someone that has an active wart, yes/no? Like you mentioned, the flu, once it is gone its gone and you do not catch it unless you kiss or come in contact with someone with the flu.

[alexdelong]

Yeah, for the vast majority, once warts are gone for a period of months they don't come back at all. For whatever reason, some people have recurrant outbreaks, but this is the exception (sorry to muddle things up). It is unlikely that the person is contagious while HPV is dormant.

People may have an active infection without showing warts, or while showing small, hard to see warts, and this is contagious.

As far as HPV is concerned, I would not worry about an episode from 5-7 years ago, but to show up and resolve within 10 days is not common for warts.

[iprayy]

You have not muddled anything up for me. Your the best, Thanks again.