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Herpes Simplex 1 vs. Human Papilloma Virus
Thank you for answering this. I was diagnosed with HPV and am now trying to understand how to deal with it and mostly how to prevent future partners from getting it. I had one wart which was removed with Aldara Cream and by freezing it. I understand HPV is viral and therefore "stays with you." But if the infection works it's way through you in two years do you have to then worry about transmitting it? In the meantime what do I do with future partners in terms of telling them I have it, not telling them, and physically protecting ourselves. My lips swelled like a puffer fish and I went to another doctor and the medical sheet from him says that I have Herpes I IgG. I was prescribed Valtrex. Do I have genital herpes too? I've had no symptoms in the genital area. I have done two things for HPV. Taken Astra Istasis (Health Concerns) and used suppositories called Vagistatin (Health Concerns). Recently I visited a non-tradtional doctor who said, "The HPV is gone. The more you believe that the more the cells in your body will align that way." Then I went to see a nurse practioner who said, "I hate to tell you to have protected sex for the rest of your life." So I'm confused. Do I have genital herpes? How do I protect future partners from getting HPV (can it be transmitted by kissing? oral sex? etc.) If it's viral I know from being trained as a biologist that it may never leave my body but once two years have passed can I be more "free" with protection or even with a monogamous committed partner must I use condoms forever? Again, my confusion lies mostly with how to not transmit this to anyone else and how I can do the maximum to continue to support my body in getting rid of it. I am very good at stress management and I eat a balanced and healthy diet that is mostly vegetarian.
Again. Thank you for your time. Cheers.
Again. Thank you for your time. Cheers.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I meant to add that stress management, eating healthy, and so one are good habits. But they will make no difference in whether or not your HPV recurs or in your asymptomatic HSV-1 infection.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are lots of questions in there, including some of the most basic about HPV and genital herpes. My answers will be brief; the most important thing is for you to do your homework by reading some authoritative sources about both infections. A few website are shown below.
Most HPV infections clear up entirely and do not come back. So the "non-traditional doctor" is correct and your nurse practitioner doesn't know what she is talking about. Once genital warts go away, or once HPV of the cervix (e.g., pap smear abnormalities) clear up, usually the problem never reappears and cannot be transmitted to partners. There are no guarantees, however; sometimes the infection persists and symptoms can reappear. But as a rule of thumb, once the problem has gone and not reappeared after about 6 months, it's not a problem. Most experts agree that after that time there is no need to mention the past infection to future sex partners.
There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus, or HSV -- cleverly named HSV-1 and HSV-2. The type 1 virus is present in half the US population, usually involves the mouth (oral herpes). And when HSV-1 infects the genital area, it usually doesn't cause recurrent herpes and usually cannot be transmitted sexually to partners. HSV-2 is very different. It is the usual cause of genital herpes. But you don't have it. Most likely your positve test for HSV-1 goes back to your childhood. If you aren't having recurrent cold sores (also called fever blisters), then probably you never will.
Reliable information is available about both herpes and HPV. Some good ones are my former health department, where I wrote much of the information myself (www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std); the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org); and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC (www.cdc.gov/std). Please read all the information about herpes and HPV on all those sites. Almost all other questions you might have probably can be answered there. Then if you still have one or two brief follow-up questions, feel free to post them here.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Most HPV infections clear up entirely and do not come back. So the "non-traditional doctor" is correct and your nurse practitioner doesn't know what she is talking about. Once genital warts go away, or once HPV of the cervix (e.g., pap smear abnormalities) clear up, usually the problem never reappears and cannot be transmitted to partners. There are no guarantees, however; sometimes the infection persists and symptoms can reappear. But as a rule of thumb, once the problem has gone and not reappeared after about 6 months, it's not a problem. Most experts agree that after that time there is no need to mention the past infection to future sex partners.
There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus, or HSV -- cleverly named HSV-1 and HSV-2. The type 1 virus is present in half the US population, usually involves the mouth (oral herpes). And when HSV-1 infects the genital area, it usually doesn't cause recurrent herpes and usually cannot be transmitted sexually to partners. HSV-2 is very different. It is the usual cause of genital herpes. But you don't have it. Most likely your positve test for HSV-1 goes back to your childhood. If you aren't having recurrent cold sores (also called fever blisters), then probably you never will.
Reliable information is available about both herpes and HPV. Some good ones are my former health department, where I wrote much of the information myself (www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std); the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org); and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC (www.cdc.gov/std). Please read all the information about herpes and HPV on all those sites. Almost all other questions you might have probably can be answered there. Then if you still have one or two brief follow-up questions, feel free to post them here.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for your kind comments about the forum. I'm glad it helped.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Thank you for clearing up so much confusion. I will pass this on to my Nurse Practioner (with aplomb) and will continue to not worry about it!!!
I am SO SO happy to have found this forum and to receive your wonderful counsel.
Thank you.
I am SO SO happy to have found this forum and to receive your wonderful counsel.
Thank you.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
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.
