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STDs (Expert Forum)
HPV many years later
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 many years later
by 18joe, Jun 02, 2008 11:40AM
About 25 years ago I was involved in some group male/male mutual masterbation and also frottage and oral sex. Altough I have had no symptons since then of genital warts, I am concerned I could have carried this virus all this time and potentially passed it to my wife. She has had no other partners. Will this show in her PAP test if present and would it have shown up in PAP test taken 10 years ago?
Also generally how long after an encounter would genital warts show up, or is it possible to carry the virus and never to see any visible signs?
Thanks
Also generally how long after an encounter would genital warts show up, or is it possible to carry the virus and never to see any visible signs?
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Jun 02, 2008 12:40PM
, Jun 02, 2008 12:40PM
It's been 25 years and you're still worried? I would not be.
Could you have an occult HPV infection for all this time- I suppose but i doubt it. HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. We know less about HPV in men than women so I will tell you some generalities about the infection in women. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. the few who do not will have never had other partners and will not have partners who have not had other partners. 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. For men the infection is similar but if anything less severe - fewer consequences, higher resolution rates, etc are all likely to be the case.
Warts typically show up weeks or months after exposure, not years. You have nothing to worry about. EWH
Could you have an occult HPV infection for all this time- I suppose but i doubt it. HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. We know less about HPV in men than women so I will tell you some generalities about the infection in women. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. the few who do not will have never had other partners and will not have partners who have not had other partners. 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. For men the infection is similar but if anything less severe - fewer consequences, higher resolution rates, etc are all likely to be the case.
Warts typically show up weeks or months after exposure, not years. You have nothing to worry about. EWH
