Hi ... Am I in risk of Genital warts?

[TsQ]

I read in local news thats warts being common, incl genital warts so got me worred since no test is available except that warts are only visible to determine one to have it.

Here are my historical exposure:

---in Sep 2004, drunk and got a girl gave me oral with no condom. Then we had sex with condom but lasted like 1 min or so only.
---in Jul 2006, again same thing happen.. receive oral with no condom then sex with condom but lasted also like 1 min or so only.
---In other times I had other encounters such as hand job, kissing with other girls and just touching around... but I stopped all such activities since Jan 2008 (this year)

All are working girls/prostitute.

considering such historical records of mine, am I in any risk/chance of getting genital warts?

Up until today, I dont see anything that looks like warts.... however I was told many would not know since some warts are very small and flat.

Please advice.. and thks+appreciate it in advance.

[gracefromHHP]

Most of us will contract genital hpv in our lifetimes whether we know it or not.  HPV is incredibly common.  The obvious genital wart types - aren't anything other than a cosmetic issue. It's the types of hpv that don't present with obvious warts that are the issue because they are associated with a higher risk of certain cancers.

So what do you do? Well a fairly recent study showed that you can reduce your risk of acquiring hpv by 90% by putting the condom on when the clothes go off - not just waiting until actual penetration to put it on.  If you are concerned about std's - make sure you are wearing a condom for oral sex too.

I'm not sure if you are in the US or not but the gardasil vaccine will probably be approved for males by the end of the year too so when it is - consider getting vaccinated with it to help lower your risk too.

There is more terrific info on hpv both here on medhelp and also in the hpv section at www.ashastd.org.  Don't be afraid of std's - educate yourself on them and realize how prevelant they are and how to reduce your risk.

grace

[TsQ]

thks for the reply. However i only had the above "risk" exposure in my life, is there any risk level that can be rated to accessed ?

btw I forgot to ask that my wife went for a pap smear test every yr and the last one in Feb was "all clear" with no problem. We hv frequent sex too without protection.

[auntiejessi]

There's no way to assess a risk.

It depends on if the women were infected with HPV or not.  If they were, you have a higher chance.  If they weren't, you have no chance.

Its estimated that if you have 3 or more partners in your life, you will have HPV at least once.

Condoms are helping, but as Grace said, they aren't 100% in preventing HPV.

AJ

[TsQ]

thks AJ.

however after almost 2 yrs since my last exposure I see no warts  (vaginal sex with condom, while i read oral sex are not a known risk for warts so i figure that out)..

Question here:
1) Good to say i am pretty much not hving those HSV that causes genital warts since nothing is seen till now???

2) Since my wife's last 2 pap smear test came out all clean, can I take that I am also clean from STD related HSV ??? (I hv unprotected sex with her regularly).

I read ashastd and says body immune system will clear HSV off within 2 yrs for most cases... if it does not, warts may appear and grow on.

Help.. I am still worried that I got some STD related HSV from the 2 prostitutes encounter I had last time and passed it to my wife. (I stopped all these nonsense act already)

Is my worries warranted? or am i just scaring myself off for no good reason?

[gracefromHHP]

  

Your risks have been minimal.

grace

[auntiejessi]

Also, hpv is what causes warts.  HSV is herpes simplex virus - that causes herpes.

After 2 years, with no symptoms, I would stop worrying.

AJ