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STDs (Expert Forum)
Do i have it ?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Do i have it ?
by tww808, Nov 08, 2009 10:39PM
I had unprotected sex with a woman 2 weeks ago. We had sex 3 times over the course of 24 hours, each session lasted approximately 20 minutes. 2 days after sleeping with her she informed me that she has HPV. (unknown if it is high risk or low risk)
I understand this is a relatively common virus, and that there is no HPV test for men.
My questions are : Am I now infected ? or What are the odds that I'm not ?
If so, what are the chances of developing genital warts?
Should I be concerned about cancer ?
I understand this is a relatively common virus, and that there is no HPV test for men.
My questions are : Am I now infected ? or What are the odds that I'm not ?
If so, what are the chances of developing genital warts?
Should I be concerned about cancer ?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Nov 08, 2009 11:42PM
, Nov 08, 2009 11:42PM
Welcome to the STD forum.
"Relatively common" understates the frequency of HPV. The large majority of sexually active persons get genital HPV, often several times. Most infections remain asymptomatic and never cause health problems at all. If you were infected, that's the likely outcome in your case.
The efficiency of HPV transmission -- i.e. the transmission risk for any particular exposure -- really isn't known. If indeed your partner has a currently active HPV infection, then it's a pretty good bet you were infected, but by no means certain.
Presumably your partner hasn't had a diagnosis of warts, only positive HPV by pap smear. If so, the chance you'll get warts is low -- but not zero. Penile cancer is extremely rare, and is no more likely in you as a result of this event.
Bottom line: Don't worry about this event. Keep your eye out for penile warts in the next 2-3 months, and see a provider if something shows up. But there will be no long term health consequences and you don't need to tell future partners about this event.
If you will search this forum for "genital warts" or "HPV", you can find innumerable discussions that go into all this is great detail. Also look at the information available at www.cdc.gov/std and www.ashastd.org. After you have done that homework (but not until then!), feel free to return if you have one or two brief follow-up questions.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
"Relatively common" understates the frequency of HPV. The large majority of sexually active persons get genital HPV, often several times. Most infections remain asymptomatic and never cause health problems at all. If you were infected, that's the likely outcome in your case.
The efficiency of HPV transmission -- i.e. the transmission risk for any particular exposure -- really isn't known. If indeed your partner has a currently active HPV infection, then it's a pretty good bet you were infected, but by no means certain.
Presumably your partner hasn't had a diagnosis of warts, only positive HPV by pap smear. If so, the chance you'll get warts is low -- but not zero. Penile cancer is extremely rare, and is no more likely in you as a result of this event.
Bottom line: Don't worry about this event. Keep your eye out for penile warts in the next 2-3 months, and see a provider if something shows up. But there will be no long term health consequences and you don't need to tell future partners about this event.
If you will search this forum for "genital warts" or "HPV", you can find innumerable discussions that go into all this is great detail. Also look at the information available at www.cdc.gov/std and www.ashastd.org. After you have done that homework (but not until then!), feel free to return if you have one or two brief follow-up questions.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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