HPV Questions

[jimbeam]

My wife is being treated for cervical dysplasia by either Cyro or LEEP. If I am the one that infected her can I reinfect her with the same virus once she is treated and cleared? I've read generally this is not the case.

Also I hear HPV can be transmitted orally but I hear that it is rare. How often have you seen this? Should we be concered with this?

I hear genital warts and cervical dysplasia are different types of HPV and one doesn't cause the other. Is that true or can genital warts cause cervical dysplasia?

How long after women is exposed to HPV does it take for an abnormal pap smear to occur?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You are asking the most basic of questions about HPV.  I will answer very briefly, but you need to do your homework.  Please read the article about HPV/warts in the link at the top of this forum, "STD Quick Facts and Articles"; and the HPV information available from CDC (www.cdc.gov/std).  You can also search this forum, using search terms "HPV", "human papillomavirus", and "genital warts".  All your questions have been addresed many times.

1) Your HPV infection probably has long since cleared up.  Couples in your situation are never advised to avoid sex.  You don't need to worry about it.

2) The virus can be transmitted orally, but rarely causes warts or other symptoms in or around the mouth.  Don't worry about it.

3) The types of HPV that cause warts (almost entirely HPV-6 and 11) can cause mild dysplasia, but never the kinds that progresses to cancer.

4) An abnormal pap can appear as soon as 3-4 weeks after catching HPV, or up to 20 or more years later.

Do the reading, then come back if you still have questions.  But the main take home message is don't worry about any of this.  Your wife needs to follow her doctor's recommendations about treatment; if she does, she has no chance of getting cancer as a result of her HPV.  Otherwise, mellow out.  You and your wife are just like more than 80% of the population who have had genital HPV infections.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[jimbeam]

Thank you for the response. I have done my reading. Our main concern is that if I still do have it, can I transmit the virus to her after she already cleared it or is she immune from catching the same one again? She doesn't want to have to keep getting treated for cervical dysplasia because I keep reinfecting her.

[louise29]

Dr.,
I was raped almost 10 years ago.  I had a pap done about 9 months after.  It came back abnormal and I had the leep done. 3 months after to date my paps have come back normal.  I was never told anything about hpv.  I am worried sick that my husband of 7 years and I are going to break out in warts any day.  Should I be worried about this. I cant eat or sleep. Please help me.

[programevil]

What do you know about papules? I think that I got HPV from someone. I am a male. And I think my upper lip and eyelids are infected too. I don't know if your eyes can get infected but I wear contacts and I talked to a dermatologist and she said they were oil glands. What do you know about proper treatments for them? Also, I purchased 'Warts No More' and 'ClearNatural' Enhancement. Are these good products good for treatment? My research says that they are but I want to know for sure from an expert. Should I avoid contact with others or just live normally? Does HPV transfer from objects to people?  Like if I were share a cigarette with someone will they get it? Am I safe or is HPV only a blemish issue?

                                                 -Mitch

[programevil]

What do you know about papules? I think that I got HPV from someone. I am a male. And I think my upper lip and eyelids are infected too. I don't know if your eyes can get infected but I wear contacts and I talked to a dermatologist and she said they were oil glands. What do you know about proper treatments for them? Also, I purchased 'Warts No More' and 'ClearNatural' Enhancement. Are these good products good for treatment? My research says that they are but I want to know for sure from an expert. Should I avoid contact with others or just live normally? Does HPV transfer from objects to people?  Like if I were share a cigarette with someone will they get it? Am I safe or is HPV only a blemish issue?

                                                 -Mitch