Clearance means that the infection is no longer detectable and therefore, no longer transmissible. No one can guarantee you that the virus will clear at 18 or ever 24 months. The vast majority do but there are no promises. EWH
Hey doc, thank you for your reply.
If I abstain for a few more months and give myself an 18 months (even 24 months) window for my body to clear it, would I be able to assume I'm hpv-free and move on with my life?
I really would like to avoid discussing hpv with a virgin if I I probably don't have it.
Also I would like to ask, when doctors say your body clears it does that mean that you cab not ever spread again (of course unless you get a new infection)?
Thanks doc
Welcome to the Forum. Since your prior partner had HSV, it is likely that you acquired the infection a swell. The HPV infections that lead to abnormal PAP smears often show no abnormalities in men but can be transmitted to partners. In your situation however, it is likely that your infection has or will soon resolve by itself, as do nearly all (>97%) of HPV infections. This process of resolution can take up to 18 months to occur. thus there is a risk that you could have infection and if you do, that you could give it to a partner. My advice would be to tell your GF that you have had a partner in the past who had HPV infection. I would also point out to you that nearly everyone gets HPV at some point. For better or worse, at present HPV is a "fact of life" and most people have it or will have it at some point in the future. Despite this fact, only a tiny minority of persons with HPV get the consequences of infection (primarily women and primarily cancer and pre-cancerous lesions). HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. The figure for men is less well studied but similar.
In doing so, I would also suggest that your current GF get vaccinated for HPV. the vaccine is highly effective and prevents 98-99% of infections. You may also wish to use condoms which offer some protection against HPV transmission as well.
I hope this suggestion helps. EWH