Transmission and Treatment

I have had sex with 3 sex workers within almost a year time frame. Every occassion I have had protected sex with no condom failure. My last encounter was in June 05. I have been tested for all STDS including HSV 1/2. All came out negative. I have had no visible symptoms of a possible HPV infection (warts). Is there a time frame that I can keep in mind to feel more at ease....or to engage in sex with my new partner? I fear having sex with my new partner because I don't want to infect her.

I'm a male and as you know there are no tests to screen for HPV. Is anyone working on a test to screen men, if so how far out is it and who is doing it? My concern is the likelihood of being a carrier of HPV and transmitting it. Can HPV be transmitted if my female partner has given me a "handjob", but we have had no actual intercourse?
What is the possibility of transmitting assuming I'm a carrier with no symptoms?

Also I've been doing quite abit of research on this and I came across a doctor who on his website claims that "Beta-Mannan" can safely eliminate the HPV virus following his strict guideline for use. Apparently it is high dosages of Vitamin E with aloe vera orally (and topically if warts are present). It supposedly boosts the immune system and claims to eliminate the virus in 90 days. There are a multitude of testimonials validating this claim, through abnormal paps coming back normal after treatment with "Beta-manna". His website is http://www.health-science-report.com/. I wanted to ask what your thoughts are on this if you have come across this site?

If I'am a carrier is it more likely that I don't carry the more harmful strand that causes cervical dysplasia or cancer, since my exposure to HPV was external?

I'm very concerned with transmitting this to my girlfriend, and almost 100% positive that she does not have any HPV infection.

Also I hear that Merk and Glaxokline.... are on the verge of coming out with a vaccine for certain strands in early 2006, does this suggest that most other strands are harmless and that there is very little to worry about if the vaccine is approved and it is affective?  

Thanks for the very helpful site!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Contrary to what has been said by many, recent research shows that properly used condoms are highly protective against HPV; so you have no real concern from your 3 commercial partners over the past year.  However, you still could be infected, assuming you have had any non-condom-protected sex with other partners over the years.  Whether you are currently infected or capable of transmitting HPV to a sex partner simply cannot be known.  The only way you could be "almost 100% positive" your girlfriend doesn't have HPV is to know with certainty that she has never had sex (which may or may not be true; I have no way of knowing).  To answer your specific questions:

As far as is known, genital HPV is not transmitted by hand-to-genital contact.

Neither vitamin E nor the other magic potion you mention can eradicate or prevent HPV.  Pure quackery, and I do not have to look at the website to know it.  (Testimonials mean nothing; all warts eventually go away, so you could have people paint their genitals with peanut butter then find persons to say it helped.)

In general, the high-risk (cancer causing) types of HPV are the most common, both internally and externally.  If you are HPV infected, you cannot assume it is a low-risk type.

Merck's HPV vaccine is expected to be marketed in the next several months.  The GSK vaccine is a few months behind.  Both are likely to be highly effective against the types of HPV covered by the vaccines:  Merck has HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, GSK has types 16 & 18 only.  (HPV 16 and 18 are the most common high-risk types, and 6 and 11 the main types that cause genital warts.)  This doesn't mean that other strains are harmless, but in general they have a lower risk of causing later cervical dysplasia/cancer or cervical warts.

Bottom line:  You are putting much more energy into this than is warranted.  All HPV strains are harmless >99% of the time; preventing HPV is simply not practically possible; and getting genital HPV should be viewed as a normal event, part of being human.  It simply isn't worth worrying about.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[niko00]

Thanks for the response doc! Out of curiosity could you lead me to that recent research? I'm interested in reading it.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The new research has not yet been published, just presented at a couple of scientific meetings.  The investigators are colleagues of mine at the University of Washington.  They are preparing the study for publication; it likely will appear in the New England Journal of Medicine in a few months.

HHH, MD

[monkeyflower]

I also very recently read that the FDA has concluded that condoms are mighty effective against HPV, but they're getting some flack from the religious right as a result. Surprise, surprise. Actually, I think the real surprise is that they actually admitted that they're so effective, especially after all this crazy nonsense with the morning after pill.

[niko00]

Hey monkeyflower where did you find that article published by the FDA?

[monkeyflower]

It was in the NY Times, maybe a couple of weeks ago - not sure exactly when, but it was recent. Naturally the FDA is doing a little CYA with the verbiage, but it was enough to get some of our esteemed representatives a little bent out of shape. I actually found it a little surprising, given the FDA's insane approach to the issue of emergency contraception accessability.

[Surprised]

I had warts ten years ago and have not had any since, until this month.  After such a long time what would bring them back?  I have been married the entire time and have two kids.  What should my concerns be.  Everything that I have read indicates that you typically do not get genital warts in the mouth.  My wife and I have engage in oral sex, should we stop, be worried?  Where can I go to read more information?

[thezonediet]

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[CURIOUSGAL]

I KNOW THAT THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT HPV BUT THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM THAT I AM FACING I THOUGHT THAT I HAD A YEAST INFECTION AND THEN I WENT TO THE CLINIC AND THEY DID SOME TESTED AND THEY LOOKED UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AND SAID IT LOOK LIKE CLAMIDIA. NOW HERE IS MY PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE KNOW WAY THAT I HAVE THAT UNLESS U CAN TRANSMIT IT THROUGH USE OF YOUR FINGERS BECAUSE MY GIRLFRIEND USED HER HAND ON ME AND AND IT COULDNT HAVE COME FROM ME BECAUSE I GET TESTED OFTENED AND I HAVE NEVER HAD IT B4. SO MY QUESTIONS IS CAN CLAMIDIA BE TRASMITTED BY HAND. IM SORRY TO CHANGE THE TOPIC BUT MY YEAR AND A HALF RELATIONSHIP IS AT STAKE PLEASE IF YOU CAN RESPOND DO. THANKS 4 YOUR TIME, GOD BLESS.

[Imdumb]

The only way to get your question answered by the doctor here is to post a new question. He does not allow "thread creep". He has said before that chlamydia is not spread hand to genital, but all of those were female to male transmission questions. I assume from your name your question is female to female. I think the answer is the same as for males, but you shouls ask the doctor.

[skytower]

what is the difference of choosing between these, and which treat better and why?  acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir

[steelie1]

what does anyone know about the vaccines effect on those already infected with hpv?

[steelie1]

what about the vaccine's effect on those infected with hpv?

[Babbz]

Dec 23,2005 I was Diagnosed with High Risk HPV the test did not say how many strands I had but stated it fell in the 16,18,31,33 catagory. (I was diagnosed the the DNA testing the pap did not pick it up) I am 36 & my previous pap was in 2002, I had a partial Hysterectomy (in 1995) so I do not have a cervix, The Dr has me comming back in 4 months for a another exam, I guess my question is, what are my risks? and are they higher since I dont have a cervix? can they still do a coloscopy?  Thank you for your time.

[Kayson5726]

A lot of people think that it's no big deal. Well, it is. This disease could be prevented. BY NOT HAVING SEX!!!!!! Trust me, it's not worth it. If you are not married, then DON'T DO IT. Nothing is worth going through this!!!! HPV is completely preventable. A little bit of pleasure is not worth a potential lifetime of pain. And, ladies, the men will respect you for making them wait. I know they say they can't wait, but if they truly love you, they'll wait!!! If they don't, then they weren't worth the trouble anyway. A man who truly loves you will respect your position when you say no and mean no. You can get STDs from oral sex too, not just intercourse. It isn't worth getting something nasty around your mouth, just to give some guy a little bit of pleasure. Even if you have had sex with men in the past, you can always stop doing it. It is your body. All you have to do is say NO!!! It will be the best decision you ever made. I would just like to say, those of you who actually do this, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! TRULY STRONG WOMEN!!!!!!