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STDs (Expert Forum)
deeply concerned guy
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
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.
deeply concerned guy
by anonymous5528183, Sep 17, 2008 07:48PM
The doctor told me that when the warts are visible it is a sign of HPV and a sign that I will transmit the disease if I would have sexual encounter. He also told me that I could of had the disease for a couple of years without knowing it. That's my first concern, the women I have had sex with in the last two years, are they in any danger getting this disease from me??
I honestly did not know anything about genital warts until the doctor showed me where he found them on my genitals, what if I had it and did not know about it, and still had sex with someone, oral etc. I always use condom but some of the times the woman perform orally and then kisses me after. Am I in any danger of spreading the disease to my mouth/lip region?????
I have noticed that HPV is getting more attention since it can cause cervical cancer for women. If I had sex with someone and did have the warts without knowing it ( because most of my wartz are in my pubic hair area) obviously covered most of them, how big is the possibility that the girls will get cancer?? I am extremely worried about that. My doctor told me that HPV is a STD that is no obligation to tell anyone , even if its the women I have been with since almost everyone has HPV and you can not really know where you got it from. Is this true?? I dont want anything to happen to one of my close frinds who I had sex with. It is a hard situation because I believe telling her this would destroy our relationship pretty much. Should I tell them that I have this??
Also, how long do I have to go without sex now?? I mean I heard you can have symptoms for years. Does that mean I have to stop having sex for as long as I have this?? Maybe that is a obvious answer but I rather sound stupid and ask it. Because that is a tough situation to deal with I must say.
I honestly did not know anything about genital warts until the doctor showed me where he found them on my genitals, what if I had it and did not know about it, and still had sex with someone, oral etc. I always use condom but some of the times the woman perform orally and then kisses me after. Am I in any danger of spreading the disease to my mouth/lip region?????
I have noticed that HPV is getting more attention since it can cause cervical cancer for women. If I had sex with someone and did have the warts without knowing it ( because most of my wartz are in my pubic hair area) obviously covered most of them, how big is the possibility that the girls will get cancer?? I am extremely worried about that. My doctor told me that HPV is a STD that is no obligation to tell anyone , even if its the women I have been with since almost everyone has HPV and you can not really know where you got it from. Is this true?? I dont want anything to happen to one of my close frinds who I had sex with. It is a hard situation because I believe telling her this would destroy our relationship pretty much. Should I tell them that I have this??
Also, how long do I have to go without sex now?? I mean I heard you can have symptoms for years. Does that mean I have to stop having sex for as long as I have this?? Maybe that is a obvious answer but I rather sound stupid and ask it. Because that is a tough situation to deal with I must say.
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Sep 17, 2008 09:44PM
, Sep 17, 2008 09:44PM
The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one. I will try to provide some facts. For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..
HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Less is known about HPV in men than in women. In some people HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but in women may lead to changes in PAP smears. In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months. In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated. With this as background, lets go on to your specific questions, realizing that the questions you ask are complex and beyond the scope of this site. I will provide you with some initial information but cannot answer all of your questions:
1. Warts are caused by HPV. If you have warts, you have HPV. At the same time, as mentioned above, nearly everyone gets HPV at some point. As a result the issues of notification of partners and partner management are more complex and the answers less clear than for many other STDS.
2. You probably got your infection form someone you had sex with in the last year or so. A good approach for many people is to indicate to your partner your surprise that you discovered you have warts and suggest they get checked. Practically speaking, there is no data to indicate that you need to change your sexual practices with a partner you have been intimate with for the past several years. At the same time, should you wish to take precautions, condoms do markedly reduce risk of HPV infection.
3. HPV infections tend to limit themselves to specific types of epithelium (skin). thus it is unlikely that your partner got infected from performing oral sex on you. If it did, the probability of further consequences is small.
4. The HPV that causes visible warts rarely causes cancer. Most persons with HPV will not get cancer.
5. The issues of partner notification is a tough one. See above for comments. Also, check out the web sites for information.
Hope this helps to get started. Learn from the web sites I've suggested. Take care. EWH
HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Less is known about HPV in men than in women. In some people HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but in women may lead to changes in PAP smears. In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months. In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated. With this as background, lets go on to your specific questions, realizing that the questions you ask are complex and beyond the scope of this site. I will provide you with some initial information but cannot answer all of your questions:
1. Warts are caused by HPV. If you have warts, you have HPV. At the same time, as mentioned above, nearly everyone gets HPV at some point. As a result the issues of notification of partners and partner management are more complex and the answers less clear than for many other STDS.
2. You probably got your infection form someone you had sex with in the last year or so. A good approach for many people is to indicate to your partner your surprise that you discovered you have warts and suggest they get checked. Practically speaking, there is no data to indicate that you need to change your sexual practices with a partner you have been intimate with for the past several years. At the same time, should you wish to take precautions, condoms do markedly reduce risk of HPV infection.
3. HPV infections tend to limit themselves to specific types of epithelium (skin). thus it is unlikely that your partner got infected from performing oral sex on you. If it did, the probability of further consequences is small.
4. The HPV that causes visible warts rarely causes cancer. Most persons with HPV will not get cancer.
5. The issues of partner notification is a tough one. See above for comments. Also, check out the web sites for information.
Hope this helps to get started. Learn from the web sites I've suggested. Take care. EWH
