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Risk of Transmission via recieving oral sex -Woman
Three months ago I recieved unprotected oral sex --twice-- from a man who later informed me that his previous partner had recieved a positive test for HPV during a pap smear six months earlier. Apparently, it was latent HPV of the low risk variety, am not sure what strain. During their relationship they had engaged in protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex, so I am positive he has it as well. I would never have recieved oral sex from him had I known this. We kissed but there was no genital touching, and I did not perform oral sex on him.
This was three months ago. Since finding this out we have not any sexual contact at all, and for the last week I've been noticing more vaginal discharge than usual. (Is that symptomatic of HPV??) Also, this morning my vagina looked like there were some possible growths around the entrance. Not white, just looks raised and pink. I have an appointment with my gynecologist next month and plan to have it looked at.
I know in every other thread of this forum, you say that oral sex is basically a lower risk activity, however, this being unprotected I am very concerned. He did not show any signs of warts in the mouth and his previous partner did not show any signs of warts either. I don't know if these kinds of things vary from person to person-- but aren't low-risk strains of HPV the kind that cause warts? Also, if HPV is a virus that adheres itself to skin, then wouldn't the virus be in its shedding stage in his mouth?
I guess I just want someone to tell me "I don't have HPV." But I know that studies on the transmission of HPV via oral sex are very inconclusive.
This was three months ago. Since finding this out we have not any sexual contact at all, and for the last week I've been noticing more vaginal discharge than usual. (Is that symptomatic of HPV??) Also, this morning my vagina looked like there were some possible growths around the entrance. Not white, just looks raised and pink. I have an appointment with my gynecologist next month and plan to have it looked at.
I know in every other thread of this forum, you say that oral sex is basically a lower risk activity, however, this being unprotected I am very concerned. He did not show any signs of warts in the mouth and his previous partner did not show any signs of warts either. I don't know if these kinds of things vary from person to person-- but aren't low-risk strains of HPV the kind that cause warts? Also, if HPV is a virus that adheres itself to skin, then wouldn't the virus be in its shedding stage in his mouth?
I guess I just want someone to tell me "I don't have HPV." But I know that studies on the transmission of HPV via oral sex are very inconclusive.
Thank you for your comments and insight. They've been very helpful and I'm glad I was able to find this forum.
Because this virus seems so widespread, and yet not much is known about it, it would seem a great area for medical research --- the vaccine is a remarkable innovation. The fact that you say it's not necessary to inform partners if you have HPV goes against my natural (albeit, somewhat paranoid) inclination-- of total honesty in this regard-- but again, as you've said in other posts, most of the time the body's immune system naturally suppresses the virus.
The publicity of HPV seems to have increased dramatically in the last five years-- I've seen television spots and such -- and I'm assuming this is coinciding with the release of Gardasil. Before recently, I had only associated HPV with the warts-causings strains. Researching it on the internet is frustrating, because so much of the data is inclonclusive -- or hasn't been studied.
Thanks again for your help, this site is really great.
Because this virus seems so widespread, and yet not much is known about it, it would seem a great area for medical research --- the vaccine is a remarkable innovation. The fact that you say it's not necessary to inform partners if you have HPV goes against my natural (albeit, somewhat paranoid) inclination-- of total honesty in this regard-- but again, as you've said in other posts, most of the time the body's immune system naturally suppresses the virus.
The publicity of HPV seems to have increased dramatically in the last five years-- I've seen television spots and such -- and I'm assuming this is coinciding with the release of Gardasil. Before recently, I had only associated HPV with the warts-causings strains. Researching it on the internet is frustrating, because so much of the data is inclonclusive -- or hasn't been studied.
Thanks again for your help, this site is really great.
Isn't the nature of a vaccine basically an introducted antigenic preparation to induce immunity -- essentially giving someone a small dose of the virus to produce immunity to any strains they'll come into contact with normally -- i.e. sexual activity? So, if I have HPV already, what is the point of getting the vaccine? It doesn't have any effect on the physical manifestations of HPV-- i.e. warts, as far as I've heard -- and though I plan on getting regular pap smears for the rest of my life, I'm also worried about being contagious as far as that goes as well.
I understand this, but I have heard that there are certain strains able to pass better through oral sex. What I want to know is, not ALL people get genital warts from the same strain, right? So it's still SOMEWHAT of a possibility that I could get them, while he and his previous partner remain free of visible signs of HPV?
I have been obsessing about this because I can't imagine how hard it's going to be if I had HPV for me tell a new potential partner in the future to "just wait until my warts clear up" until we can sleep together. And even that's no guarantee of less transmission!
I know you see lots of cases, and as a doctor you see absolutely everything, but the reality of it sucks, to put it bluntly. Just because everyone else in the world has HPV, I didn't think that would ever apply to me.
I'm feeling sorry for myself over this, which, in a forum where others are talking AIDS symptoms and more serious conditions, is probably tiresome. I can't help it. In the future I plan on being much more safe - i.e., dental dams, regardless of my diagnosis.
I have been obsessing about this because I can't imagine how hard it's going to be if I had HPV for me tell a new potential partner in the future to "just wait until my warts clear up" until we can sleep together. And even that's no guarantee of less transmission!
I know you see lots of cases, and as a doctor you see absolutely everything, but the reality of it sucks, to put it bluntly. Just because everyone else in the world has HPV, I didn't think that would ever apply to me.
I'm feeling sorry for myself over this, which, in a forum where others are talking AIDS symptoms and more serious conditions, is probably tiresome. I can't help it. In the future I plan on being much more safe - i.e., dental dams, regardless of my diagnosis.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The HPV vaccine covers 4 HPV types and provides virtually 100% protection against any of those 4 types that a person has not yet had. It is statistically unlikely that you have already been infected with all 4 types. You are correct that the vaccine has no effect on any existing HPV infection.
You clearly have an unbalanced, overly pessimistic understanding of HPV's dangers and risks. I don't know where you heard some types of HPV are easier to transmit by oral sex. That has never even been studied, so I cannot say it isn't true. But there is no serious suspicion that it's the case.
You need to read some reliable sources about HPV and preventing transmission. No legitimate expert recommends that people suspected having had HPV stop being sexually active. Most experts (this includes me) do not believe it is necessary for people with past HPV infections, or who suspect they might have been infected, to inform their sex partners.
Start by looking at the HPV/warts article in the link STD Quick Facts and Articles on the STD forum home page; and at information provided by CDC (www.cdc.gov/std) and the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org).
HHH, MD
You clearly have an unbalanced, overly pessimistic understanding of HPV's dangers and risks. I don't know where you heard some types of HPV are easier to transmit by oral sex. That has never even been studied, so I cannot say it isn't true. But there is no serious suspicion that it's the case.
You need to read some reliable sources about HPV and preventing transmission. No legitimate expert recommends that people suspected having had HPV stop being sexually active. Most experts (this includes me) do not believe it is necessary for people with past HPV infections, or who suspect they might have been infected, to inform their sex partners.
Start by looking at the HPV/warts article in the link STD Quick Facts and Articles on the STD forum home page; and at information provided by CDC (www.cdc.gov/std) and the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org).
HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Receiving oral sex isn't just a "lower" risk activity, it is almost zero risk. In 30+ years working in an STD clinic with 15,000 patient visits per year, I have never seen a woman with HPV or any other STD that was believed to have been acquired by receiving oral sex. Not once. HPV is rarely transmitted by oral sex, if at all, because not many persons with HPV have infection in or around the mouth. Vaginal discharge isn't a symptom of HPV.
Nobody can tell you that you don't have HPV. In fact, if you have had at least 3 vaginal sex partners in your life, the odds are better than 50:50 that you already are (or have been) infected with HPV. We all get it--having genital HPV is inevitable, except for committed lifelong virgins. There is no point in worrying about it; it doesn't matter very much. Anyway, you'll never know; there is no routine test that can tell whether or not you are (or have been) infected.
But if you're all that worried, ask your health provider about the new vaccine, which protects against the most common types responsible for pre-cancerous cervical lesions and genital warts.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Nobody can tell you that you don't have HPV. In fact, if you have had at least 3 vaginal sex partners in your life, the odds are better than 50:50 that you already are (or have been) infected with HPV. We all get it--having genital HPV is inevitable, except for committed lifelong virgins. There is no point in worrying about it; it doesn't matter very much. Anyway, you'll never know; there is no routine test that can tell whether or not you are (or have been) infected.
But if you're all that worried, ask your health provider about the new vaccine, which protects against the most common types responsible for pre-cancerous cervical lesions and genital warts.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
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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.
