who to listen to?

Well, the question is easy... who do I listen to?

I'be been to my Gen. Phys. at Kaiser and on the topic of GW he gave me this squinty kind of unsure look when I asked if I will always be contagious, he said it could, but "eeeehhhh...".

Saw the Kaiser Urologist yesterday and he was more negative... Telling me I would never know and anyone who says they know about the topic is lying.. still with the squinty face. So I'm getting a biopsy.

The info is throwing me back and forward because the doc here at the illustrious Medhelp tells me that after months of no signs of warts I could call myself cleared. Saying that I can still receive oral and even have unprotected sex without fears of being contagious. (See my questions here "Helpful HPV Q's")

Quite confusing... Isn't it? Who to trust... Post your comments and maybe we could sniff out the answers together...

[ackeeandsaltfish]

be positive. your immune system will clear the virus overtime. if you are worried about future partners have them get vaccinated before becoming intimate with them. best of luck.

[amaninneed]

Ok... Lookie here. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Doesn't it seem that this "clearing" consensus is a way to hide from the gory and nasty end of it all. I would love to think that a vaccine would help me... But I have this virus for life, seems fair to only feel comforted by something that protects just as equally long. This savior vaccine only lasts about 3-4 years(if that), so do i say.. "we can be together because you can get vaccinated, but if we get married... You'll probably get it someday"?? I mean, is that all I can be? Positive?

[Wolfcub86]

PART I

For nowadays, the scientific community has come to no definitive conclusion/consensus. This discussion is reffering mainly to immunocompetent infected people.

There are many reasons for this uncertainty, and one of them is the unique natural history of HPV. This virus has been co-evolving with us for many generation and adopted unique mechanisms to evade the immune response. However, in contrary to HSV for example, it does not invade systematically but confined to the skin/mucosa only. The HSV for instance can and does enter the nerve cells and stays there for the rest of the life of host. Traveling through the nerve cells' axons it can cause breakouts from time to time on many areas of skin.

On the other hand, confined to the skin cells only (the basal layer) is one of its way of the HPV to evade the immune system - the reason for that is mainly that it doesn't cause necrosis. What is known is the general life cycle of this virus related to this genes, As the basal layer infected, the virus replicates itself, As the old cells pushed upward to the outer surface its proteins are built and lastly - it is shed when the skin cells die normally - that's it - making it difficult for the immune systems to get familiar with its antigens,

Researchers have keep been studying this tricky virus. It appears that in most cast the immune system manages to establish a gradual response so its activity controlled and depressed, Yet it is not known exactly why in a minority of people it establishes a persistent infection.

[Wolfcub86]

Now regarding "clearance" - this is not a definitive term. In most longitudinal studies conducted this has been used for describing the case of not finding HPV antigens (negative) in a specific individual for 2-3 consecutive tests (the most sensitive up-to-date tests such as the PCR test for its dna). In most people this result achieved in the framework of the studies within 6-24 months since the initial positive test. It doesn't mean the virus completely eradicated, it could also stay in very low copies,

Nonetheless, the important thing is that over time most people manage to overcome the initial infection,

Since this infection is so widely common and there are known to be more than 30 strains capalbe of affecting the anogenital region - the lifelong risk of becoming (re)infected is very high,

Getting the available vaccines can protect of some of the common strains, and beneficial for those who have never been infected before,

Yet if you have been infected by other strains not covered by the vaccine (found it out by PCR tests for example) - you can get it to get protection for those specific strains and thus might lessen the risk.

Many couples live an healthy and happy life, so much of them already infected - so having this virus should not limit you at all.

For women it's recommended to follow the health service provider regarding routine cervical PAP tets.  

[Wolfcub86]

One of the latest studies:
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/5/536.short
and anoter one:
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/12/6/485.short

[amaninneed]

For your post... Now, tell me... Did you read
what the Medhelp Dr had told me? And do you think it is accurate? Or a dream?

[Griever3000]

Amanineed,

I completely understand what you mean. One place has an opinion that is so far on the spectrum from the other person.

Some experts believe that you have it forever and some say that you can "clear" it without having to worry about further outbreaks.

I tend to agree with the latter opinion. I dont think HPV is as virulent as HSV or HIV.

It is very frustrating when you see difference of opinions on such a matter. The truth is, there is not much research done on this, and the subject of clearance or HPV itself is kind of new even though its been there for a very long time.

  Let me tell you this now and save you a lot of trouble, you will NEVER get a definitive answer from anyone regarding the clearance of HPV. You will have one person say that it will be gone and you will be cured and another say that you will likely have another outbreak. In this case its best to study that pathophysiology of the disease.

Just take care of the warts through treatments and maybe get a doctor to recommend aldara which is a immune system modifier.

Your best bet is to do whatever you can to have a healthy immune system (i.e exercise, eat healthy , take vitamins , dont smoke or drink) along with treating the warts.

Unfortunately there are no tests in men that are approved so we can not know for sure if our lesions are warts unless we get a biopsy or get a professional opinion from a dermatologist. Not all professionals will have the same opinion.

Good luck and live your life normally. Dont let HPV ruin or stagger your life in anyway. I personally believe that HPV will be gone eventually and you will be "normal" again. Hang in there.

[amaninneed]

THANK-YOU.. you see.. now THAT'S a comment. Personal experience sided with realism. Good job.

[female1965]

Thank you for your post to Aman...

I am 46 and just devastated.  I got treated for a genital wart last month.  When I was 22 I also got treated with them on my cervix but hadn't had an outbreak since and at the time there wasn't as much research about this so I didn't know everything.  

I am feeling like my life is over.  I actually called the crisis line last night and suicide has been on my mind, although it takes a lot of courage to do it.  Still it feels like it's on my forehead and even though 75% carry it...how many have the genital warts?  I don't know if that stat makes me feel any better but how did I get this fricking strain.  My g/f has the strain that doesn't produce genital warts.

I do not know how to view this whole thing.  I am angry at myself and at my last partner.  I asked him to be honest but suspect he knew at some point?  It was toxic...sex only and I was an idiot.  I have had no contact with him and even had the police call him and tell him to stop calling me.  It was either a booty call or to tell me about something.  Therapist and friends say not to engage with him yet I have an angry email i'd like to send.

I now am in a relationship and the guy knows.  He's been supportive but for how long I don't know.  Ir's only been 2 months,  If this doesn't work out I feel like I should probably end things...yes that is how I feel.

Is this whole thing as bad as herpes.  I mean I think all of this is bad.

So does one wear condoms the rest of our lives after 1-2 years and I have no arts?  Can we ever do oral?  I also was told either partner should not shave as that increases the likelihood of spreading HPV.

Thank you for all your help.