My girlfriend tested postive for HPV

[Kam7]

I just spoke to my girlfriend briefly this morning and she just told me she herd back from her doctor about her pap smear test and the doctor told her cholestorol is high, her thyroid is acting up and she tested positive for the HPV virus. What strain I don't know but now I'm freaking out because we have been in a serious relationship for nearly a year and practice safe sex with condoms and birth control.

About 5 months ago we started to have sex with out a condom since we're in a completely monogemious relationship and had all of our check ups done. I'm not worried about her cheating because I know we're both serious about our relationship but I've read on-line of course that the virus can lay dormant for sometime. In terms of previous partners I've had 3 all together including my girlfriend I'm talking about now. I've practiced all safe sex with all of them using condoms. I do know condoms help but not completely... I feel guilty if I was the one to pass this to her not knowing I've had it. I have had no symptoms.. in terms of warts or growths in the gentital area.

I have been seeing a redish rash on the head of my penis a few weeks ago but I figured it was due to rough masturbation or any type of shower products I'm using. It's been fine for a few weeks and no rash so I assumed it went away... would that be HPV? Or would my anxieties be getting to me. I know I have anxiety and I tend to fixate on things and worry about my health. I've had a full check up and everything came back fine, full cbc and all that.

I don't know what to do about this I'm staying with my girlfriend I want to marry her one day but in terms for my own health what do I? Do I call my doctor and tell him what she told me so I can get checked.. I haven't had any symptoms from what I've read online.. warts or what not..

I'm scared to death... for my girlfriend and my self  thinking it's a death sentence.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one.  I will try to provide some facts.  For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..

HPV is the most commonly acquired STD.  Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives and about 50% are infected within their first year of sexual activity, even if they only have a single partner.  The infection is somewhat less well studied in men but it is reasonable to assume that it behaves similarly in most respects.   In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears.  In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months. thus a Pap smear showing HPV-related changes is probably not a reason for concern.  In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated.  With this as background, I urge you not to assume that your GF's Pap smear results are a "death sentence".  Far from it.  

You were not clear as to whether she had a positive test for HPV or the Pap smear showed HPV-related changes.  Either way, unless there were major problems with her Pap smear, in most instances the proper approach is just follow-up Pap smears.  As for you, you should be examined.  If you have warts, get them treated.  If not, then do not worry.  

At this point there really is no clear reason for the two of you to go back to condoms. The infection will likely resolve itself.

Bottom line- take some deep breaths, read the web site and approach this calmly.  EWH

[Kam7]

I apologize I always hate posting early but I forgot to mention I have no symptoms and either did she.

When she went to the doctors I'm sure they would of said something when they did a pap smear or saw growths correct?

[Kam7]

Good Morning Dr. Hook,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, I know every post / question you get is rather frantic and out of control, I do apologize if I came off that way.

As far as I know my girlfriend tested positive for the HPV virus In detail I don't know but she has a appointment for 11/13/08 for a follow up. I asked her the last time she had a pap smear and she said last year and it was clear.

I talked to her again this morning and she told me this "the nurse told me, my pap smear was fine (which means no cancer) but I tested positive for the virus. As far as she told me, I will go on Gardasil, which is a preventative drug so I don't end up with some of the cancerous or genital wart strands."

As for your comment regarding me, I do not have any warts or anything physical on my gentital area other than the rash or irritation I described above.

Do I still need to be examined by my doctor? If I don't have any warts as you mentioned above. Neither of us have any warts.

Thank you Dr. Hook.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It sounds as though she was tested for HPV. If that is the case, she has little to worry about.  the Pap smear is the important test at this point. If you are sure you don't have warts, you don't need an exam

BTW, Gardisil is the highly effective vaccine for HPV, not a medication.  EWH

[Kam7]

Yeah I believe so, isn't that just routine for a pap smear to check all that? She said she was fine last year so. I'm going to go with her to the Doctors on 11/13/08, and as far as I can tell for my self I don't see any warts I examined my self the best I could this morning.. no growths or painful spots. She doesn't have any either and if she did would her Doctor of seen them?

Would that rash I mentioned be indicative of HPV? The Head of my penis where the urethra opening is and around it looks red but I can tell if it always looked like that.

Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There are Pap smears, HPV tests, HPV tests done off of Pap smears and lots of other combinations.  In most situations, testing of women under age 26 (don't know your GF's age) is not recommended becasue just aobut everyone has it.

As for you, I obviously can't make a diagnosis over the net.  That's the reason I suggested you might want to see a health care provider- to see if you had some sort of variant of HPV infection.  EWH

[Kam7]

Thank you for the clarification on the type of tests. I had lunch with her about 20 minutes ago and she told me that she was tested for everything std related.

I'm 24 years old and she's 22, I will make an appointment with my GP and see if there is anything on my end.

Everything came back negative except for HPV.

And other than HPV her doctor said she has high cholesterol and might be caused by her thyriod which is not apart of this.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my persistent questions.