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Clarification of HPV clearance
Would first like to thank you for your site! I'm a 29 year old male who was with someone for 2 years. Last year she had a abnormal pap and around the same time I developed a wart. I know this could have been from someone previous from her or me so we both didn't blame the other. As of this year, I'm no longer with this person and like most, am a little nervous going forward and meeting new potential partners. As of this April, my wart has finally cleared. I mainly wanted to get some clarification on the matter of warts and HPV clearance.
1. First of all, I read a couple post here that say usually you shouldn't worry about HPV after 6-12 months after your wart is treated. In a more recent post, you advised that someone who had a wart removed was cleared of infecting someone else within a few months. Do you feel the 6-12 month timetable has changed to something less?
2. Secondly, I have read and understand the various sources regarding HPV and you seem to have a different opinion in some aspects. For clarification, do you feel that HPV a)is supressed by the immune system, b)eliminated completely from the body at some point, or c)is always present in the body and can reoccur later down the road? I know these are blurred questions, but would love to hear your opinion.
Thank you again for your time.
1. First of all, I read a couple post here that say usually you shouldn't worry about HPV after 6-12 months after your wart is treated. In a more recent post, you advised that someone who had a wart removed was cleared of infecting someone else within a few months. Do you feel the 6-12 month timetable has changed to something less?
2. Secondly, I have read and understand the various sources regarding HPV and you seem to have a different opinion in some aspects. For clarification, do you feel that HPV a)is supressed by the immune system, b)eliminated completely from the body at some point, or c)is always present in the body and can reoccur later down the road? I know these are blurred questions, but would love to hear your opinion.
Thank you again for your time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The data on wart clearance are not precise. This has never been the subject of rigorous research, so the information is based on the clinical experience of providers like me. However, most experts would agree with me, that once visible genital warts are gone--either spontaneously or after treatment--if a few months go by without recurrence, most people have no further problem with them.
As I have said before, but perhaps not for a few months, the issue of HPV clearance is partly one of definition of 'cure'. Some experts believe that all HPV infections persist forever, at least in the sense that some HPV DNA persists at the cellular level. But even if that is true, in most persons the infection is kept in check by the immune system, and most people do not have recurrent symptoms any time in the future and do not continue to transmit the infection. So from a practical standpoint, they are cured, even if that's not quite true at a biological level. However, there definitely are exceptions; some infections do come back in the future in active form. Sometimes that occurs in people with immune deficiency (cancer, AIDS, etc)--but it can happen in completely healthy people. There is no way to predict who will and will not be in that inconvenient minority. But happily, such recurrent problems rarely represent serious health risks. All HPV infections should be viewed primarily as an inconvenience, not dangerous health problem.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As I have said before, but perhaps not for a few months, the issue of HPV clearance is partly one of definition of 'cure'. Some experts believe that all HPV infections persist forever, at least in the sense that some HPV DNA persists at the cellular level. But even if that is true, in most persons the infection is kept in check by the immune system, and most people do not have recurrent symptoms any time in the future and do not continue to transmit the infection. So from a practical standpoint, they are cured, even if that's not quite true at a biological level. However, there definitely are exceptions; some infections do come back in the future in active form. Sometimes that occurs in people with immune deficiency (cancer, AIDS, etc)--but it can happen in completely healthy people. There is no way to predict who will and will not be in that inconvenient minority. But happily, such recurrent problems rarely represent serious health risks. All HPV infections should be viewed primarily as an inconvenience, not dangerous health problem.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Thank you for the prompt response! Everything you said gives me a better understanding. I did have two acid treatments performed and the second time it took. My doc even commented on how it looked like it was receding after the first treatment so it may have been disappearing on its own at that point. Knowing my nature, I would want to be honest if I have any new partners in the near future. At least now I feel like I can explain it better!
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
