Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
This forum is an un-mediated, patient-to-patient forum for questions and support regarding HPV issues such as: genital warts, causes, diagnosis, cervical cancer, HPV in men, PAP tests, treatment, telling your spouse or partner
HPV 16 - risks, questions
by bjs1970, Jun 08, 2008 02:35PM
My fiance has tested positive for HPV 16. We've been monogamous for 18 months. The doctor said it was likely she got it from me. I don't know if that's possible or true (and I have been faithful). Obviously, it's causing some strain between us but it seems less the issue of where and how she got it than the worry over its consequences. Neither of us have any signs of anything (warts or otherwise...I know 16 isn't the warts variety). But, some online info suggests that this "high risk" HPV can cause oral cancer and, of course, is a leading cause of cervcal cancer, though the likelihood of getting it is small (especially since she's monitoring it via regular pap smears). Her doctor said having surgery was an option but wouldn't guarantee anything (this sounded a bit extreme as so many things I've read suggest the virus usually runs a course and goes away, even the high risk variety).
What can our sexual behavior be now? Condoms only offer limited protection and we've never used them (she's menopausal and we're both in our 50s and she's found condoms to irriate her in the past). What about oral sex (both ways)? I've read articles that link oral cancer to HPVs? Does that mean she'd be at risk giving me oral sex? And, what about me with her? I also gather that once you've gotten an infection, you're immune from getting it again. So, if I am indeed the carrier of it, and she eventually gets a clean bill of health (pap smear), is there any risk of her getting it again from me?
What can our sexual behavior be now? Condoms only offer limited protection and we've never used them (she's menopausal and we're both in our 50s and she's found condoms to irriate her in the past). What about oral sex (both ways)? I've read articles that link oral cancer to HPVs? Does that mean she'd be at risk giving me oral sex? And, what about me with her? I also gather that once you've gotten an infection, you're immune from getting it again. So, if I am indeed the carrier of it, and she eventually gets a clean bill of health (pap smear), is there any risk of her getting it again from me?
Post Comment
