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STDs (Expert Forum)
Question about HPV
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Question about HPV
by autumnskye, Mar 11, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 34 year old woman who was briefly exposed the genital warts 12-13 years ago. I have had two exams and pap smears which were normal, and I have never showed any signs of infection. The exams were 10 and 8 years ago (with the birth of my children). Should I still be concerned about HPV, warts, and the possible risk of cervical cancer at this point?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 12, 2005 12:00AM
, Mar 12, 2005 12:00AM
Any risk of reactivation of a latent wart-causing HPV infection is extremely low. However, the HPV types that cause cervical cancer are different than those that cause warts, and you could have been exposed without knowing it (most women are). Therefore, every women should contintue her annual pap smears regardless of their sexual lifestyle and suspected exposrues. After normal results 3 years in a row, it is considered safe to drop back to testing every three years instead of annually. On the other hand, it's easier to remember an annual exam--so most women's health care specialists just continue yearly. But don't lose any sleep over the likelihood of reactivated wart virus infection this far along.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)
by autumnskye, Mar 11, 2005 12:00AM
The first sentence should read "to genital warts" not "the genital warts".
