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STDs (Expert Forum)
HPV worries
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
HPV worries
by girlygirl87, Apr 24, 2008 03:14PM
hello doctor!
my boyfriend and I broke up for a few months and are back together. During the time we were apart, the only sexual contact i had was mutual masturbation with one guy. this guy has had 6 partners, i have no idea how many protected vs. unprotected, and his last partner was about a year ago. from the statistics, it seems like it's almost certain he had some strain of HPV. absolutely no direct genital contact occurred, but i'm pretty sure that he had touched himself at some point and then proceeded to touch me.
i've read posts where you it's unlikely to contract HPV from hand-to-genital contact, but i'm worried and confused because everything else i've read seems to make it sound like a serious possibility (such as the CDC website and the ashastd website). should i quit worrying? what do you think of this?
i know HPV isn't that big of a deal usually, i'm just afraid if i end up having it my boyfriend will question my honesty about not having had any other sexual partners.
thank you so much for this forum, you guys do an excellent job!
my boyfriend and I broke up for a few months and are back together. During the time we were apart, the only sexual contact i had was mutual masturbation with one guy. this guy has had 6 partners, i have no idea how many protected vs. unprotected, and his last partner was about a year ago. from the statistics, it seems like it's almost certain he had some strain of HPV. absolutely no direct genital contact occurred, but i'm pretty sure that he had touched himself at some point and then proceeded to touch me.
i've read posts where you it's unlikely to contract HPV from hand-to-genital contact, but i'm worried and confused because everything else i've read seems to make it sound like a serious possibility (such as the CDC website and the ashastd website). should i quit worrying? what do you think of this?
i know HPV isn't that big of a deal usually, i'm just afraid if i end up having it my boyfriend will question my honesty about not having had any other sexual partners.
thank you so much for this forum, you guys do an excellent job!
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Apr 24, 2008 04:33PM
, Apr 24, 2008 04:33PM
The topic of HPV 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)..
Now, on to HPV. HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Furthermore, nearly 50% of women with a single sex partner have HPV within two years of becoming sexually active. I say this not to frighten you but to put things in perspective and address your posssible downstream concern of a future BF not believeing you (if he doesn't believe you, perhaps he is not the right guy for you) In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but 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, on to your specific question:
You are right, HPV is simply not effectively tranmitted by hand to genital contact.
Hope this helps. EWH
Now, on to HPV. HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Furthermore, nearly 50% of women with a single sex partner have HPV within two years of becoming sexually active. I say this not to frighten you but to put things in perspective and address your posssible downstream concern of a future BF not believeing you (if he doesn't believe you, perhaps he is not the right guy for you) In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but 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, on to your specific question:
You are right, HPV is simply not effectively tranmitted by hand to genital contact.
Hope this helps. EWH
Member Comments (3)
by girlygirl87, Apr 24, 2008 04:36PM
To: Dr. Hook
thanks so much for the quick, detailed reply!
by Edward W Hook, MD, Apr 24, 2008 04:48PM
, Apr 24, 2008 04:48PM
Glad to help. EWH
