In an argument about HPV with Brother-in-law. Help!

[Pam 2006]

This is so ridiculous that I have to get some advice or comments on this.

My Niece who is 17 has been diagnosed with HPV.  Her father is relying on her to give the correct outcome of her Pap Smear and the diagnosis.

She is telling him that she could have got it from the toilet seat and that you can get herpes from the toilet seat also.

He is totally clueless as to the real truth about HPV.  I tried to tell him about it being sexually transmitted, but they are relying on the 17 year old to give them insight to this disease.

Now, I am made out to be a bad person because I told him that if he didn't know about this disease, talk to the doctor himself.  He now thinks I said that his daughter and wife are lying to him.  I never said such a thing.

Good Lord, I need some help on this!

[Englishman]

It is no-ones business except your niece. She should either keep it to herself or tell the truth.

[gracefromHHP]

Encourage them to read the info on hpv at www.ashastd.org. it's accurate and updated.

You aren't likely to contract hpv from a toilet seat but you can contract it without having actual penetrative sex.  Even children sometimes contract it from the virus being under the fingernails of their parents with diaper changes/bathroom wiping from parents ( doesn't happen often but it does happen ).  You can even search pubmed for articles on "virgins" contracting hpv.  Yes it's most easily transmitted thru direct skin on skin contact, heat and friction that goes along with sexual encounters but there doesn't have to be any penetration.  It's likely she's had some sort of intimate contact but not necessarily that she's had actual sex at this point.  

grace

[gracefromHHP]

oh and I wanted to add - perhaps your brother in law NEEDS to believe that she isn't sexually active yet in any way, shape or form ( even though chances are that he was fooling around at that age ). Not the most healthy attitude but it might not be worth arguing with him ( and potentially getting your neice in mucho grande trouble!! ).

Have you had any opportunities to talk to her at all? She probably doesn't want to talk about this with an uncle but perhaps just get the word to her that if she needs someone to talk to - you and your wife are more than willing to be there for her.  of course if she does admit that she's been naked with someone you will have to keep her confidence.  

grace