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STDs (Expert Forum)
Two Partners, HPV twice?
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.
Two Partners, HPV twice?
by Not1990again, May 08, 2007 12:00AM
Two partners, HPV twice
I was diagnosed with HPV 17 years ago and after some difficult treatments over the course of a year, I never had a recurrence. I married my partner at the time and we stayed together until two and a half years ago. I didn't date (or have sex) for the first two years after our separation and then met a wonderful man about 6 months ago. Before we had sex, I had full spectrum testing including HPV. I did this partly because I wanted to do this for a partner and partly because I suspected that my husband might have been unfaithful mid-marriage. Everything was negative. And three weeks ago, I also had my annual exam including a pap smear that came out normal. Two weeks ago, I noticed signs of a new HPV infection. Here are my questions:
1. Is this most likely a new infection due to exposure to a new strain as it would seem most likely (from my partner or ex)? Are there any actual numbers on the recurrence of HPV after 5+ years? Do the odds of recurrence continue to go down over time?
2. If my first infection involved extensive cervical treatment and this current one is external only, does that mean it is likely a new strain?
3. I am in an exclusive relationship and have been having sex regularly for some time. If the symptoms just appeared (and might be from the orginal infection, should I refrain from sex until they clear, use a condom? Am I putting him at risk at this point?
Thanks,
I was diagnosed with HPV 17 years ago and after some difficult treatments over the course of a year, I never had a recurrence. I married my partner at the time and we stayed together until two and a half years ago. I didn't date (or have sex) for the first two years after our separation and then met a wonderful man about 6 months ago. Before we had sex, I had full spectrum testing including HPV. I did this partly because I wanted to do this for a partner and partly because I suspected that my husband might have been unfaithful mid-marriage. Everything was negative. And three weeks ago, I also had my annual exam including a pap smear that came out normal. Two weeks ago, I noticed signs of a new HPV infection. Here are my questions:
1. Is this most likely a new infection due to exposure to a new strain as it would seem most likely (from my partner or ex)? Are there any actual numbers on the recurrence of HPV after 5+ years? Do the odds of recurrence continue to go down over time?
2. If my first infection involved extensive cervical treatment and this current one is external only, does that mean it is likely a new strain?
3. I am in an exclusive relationship and have been having sex regularly for some time. If the symptoms just appeared (and might be from the orginal infection, should I refrain from sex until they clear, use a condom? Am I putting him at risk at this point?
Thanks,
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., May 08, 2007 12:00AM
, May 08, 2007 12:00AM
First, I don't know what you mean by 'I noticed signs of a new HPV infection'. Do you think you have warts? Has that been diagnosed by a health professional? If not, stop speculating and get checked out. Until then, the rest of your questions are speculative.
1) If indeed you have genital warts, it is more likely a new infection. Recurrences 5+ years later are uncommon, and the chance of recurrence declines with time. 2) Entirely different HPV strains typically cause cervical/Pap smear abnormalities and genital warts. 3) If you have genital warts or other HPV infection, your partner is already exposed and probably infected. At this point there is no reason to stop having sex, to use condoms, or otherwise change your sexual practices or habits.
Bottom line: Get a professional diagnosis, then (and only then) feel free to come back if you have HPV or warts and stil have questions your provider can't answer adequately.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) If indeed you have genital warts, it is more likely a new infection. Recurrences 5+ years later are uncommon, and the chance of recurrence declines with time. 2) Entirely different HPV strains typically cause cervical/Pap smear abnormalities and genital warts. 3) If you have genital warts or other HPV infection, your partner is already exposed and probably infected. At this point there is no reason to stop having sex, to use condoms, or otherwise change your sexual practices or habits.
Bottom line: Get a professional diagnosis, then (and only then) feel free to come back if you have HPV or warts and stil have questions your provider can't answer adequately.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
