confusing!!

[nogjuju]

Hi all,

First of all the info on me:

- I suffer from cold sores
- I had a wart on my hand as a kid (8/9)
- i recently had a wart on my right index finger (treated with salactic(sp?) gel)
- i found two bumps on my penis recently
- went to a skin doc, he says it is genital warts

Questions:

- What is the connection/difference between HSV1/2 and HPV? Are they completely different viruses?

- Is there any way for a male to find out the type of HPV he has?

- Is there any update on Dr Frazers research on adapting the HPV vaccine to be affective against current outbreaks (as opposed to as a preventitive)

- If my warts are up near the tip of shaft unerect, and the only contact i've had with my g/f is protected sex (once) and a few hand jobs (uncovered). What are the chances and/or ways of passing this to her?

Thanks for taking the time to read this
Me

[nogjuju]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, appreciated.

[alexdelong]

1) No connection. Different viruses. The "V" stands for virus for both of them though. ;)

2) Probably, but they are hardly ever typed. 90% of genital warts are caused by HPV 6 or 11.

3) Don't know. It takes 6 months to get all shots though, and warts can usually be dealt with through regular methods in this time. Probably still worth considering the vaccine

4) The condom will stop transmission, but HPV infections are usually more widespread than the symptoms would suggest. You can't be sure that areas not covered by the condom are not also infected. Still, condoms will definitely reduce the risk.

Handjobs are virtually risk free.
There is a small risk with unprotected oral sex.
Intercourse is risky, especially if unprotected.

If your girlfriend already has been infected by the strain you have, then she cannot be infected again. If she has received the vaccine, she is probably protected against your infection.

Genital warts are rarely serious. You should get these treated, and you and your girlfriend can decide what risks are acceptable.