HPV-6, is papillomas same as genital warts?

[martin11]

Hi Dr. Handsfield

It's me again Dr. Handsfield. I posted a question yesterday and your answer did help me a lot. I know that HPV infection is very common in the society and it's not wise to find out when I got infected because it's impossible. However, few hours ago, when I read the information about HPV on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus), I noticed that there is a picture called "Papiloma" (Please check that out), that Papiloma doesn't look like the "cauliflower-like" genital warts, it looks like a big pimple. So, after I saw this Papiloma picture, I suddenly realized that I got the same thing 5 months ago in the pubic area area (right above the root of my penis), as I remember, it's not itchy and painful. When I tried to squeeze it, no pus or liquid came out. It's pretty hard and about 5mm big. And it was only a single one there. So, is that Papiloma thing genital wart? is it also caused by HPV-6? If so, I'm pretty sure that I got that last year already and my girl friend was also infected.

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As Dr. Handsfield has already told you, it makes NO biological sense to think that you got your HPV infection from the commercial sex event.  HPV infection would not become manifested at 9 days after an exposure.  EWH

[martin11]

Thanks for reading my earlier post and your quick response Dr. Hook.

I know, for most people, it sounds stupid and meaningless that I want to find out when I got infected by HPV-6. I want to make sure the infection is before or after the commercial sex event because I don't want to take any risk that I will infect my girl friend if i did get infected during the commercial sex event. I already felt guilty and regret about that. I don't want to hurt her because her immune system is not as good as mine so she may get warts very easy if she got infected. Dr Hook, just one last question and please forgive my suspicious, why do you and Dr Handsfield think that I got the HPV infection preceded the commercial sex event? is 9 days not long enough to get HPV infection after contacting the virus? I know the outbreak of genital warts will take about weeks and months (average 3 months) after the HPV infection. However, I think HPV infection is immediate when my penile skin contact the virus.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our Forum. As you probably know, Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum.  for this question, you got me.  FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.  In addition, I have reviewed your earlier interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he has said, including that you appear to be more worried about your positive test than is really appropriate.  

The term "papilloma" is used to describe a raised lesion.  Many genital papilloma's are due to HPV and are also called genital warts.  There is no way to know whether the lesion you saw several months ago was a genital wart/papilloma, or not.

Whether it is a genital wart or not, the fact is, as you now know that your HPV infection preceded your contact with the commercial sex worker.  You have done the right thing for you and your girlfriend to get the HPV vaccine.  With respect to the papilloma you have noted, you can see your doctor or a dermatologist and get this easily treated.  Further, as Dr. Handsfield has already said, this is not something to worry about. EWH