HPV Transmission Worries

[GolfingGuy]

Good Morning, Doctor(s).

I've done my best to educate myself on your forum but
i still feel a bit confused with my situation. I apologize if
this reminds you of other similar questions, but i am having
a very tough time with guilty and anxiety.

I have been treated multiple times for recurrent warts and the
last time was about three weeks ago. So, it's a good chance that
I still have warts. Liquid nitrogen was not working so we have been
cauterizing any suspicious spots. It's been a long battle to clearance for me, it's
been two or so years with about 8 trips to the dermatologist. biopsy positive.

I met a person and we had very strong attraction. We engaged in mutual handjobs
and I rubbed my penis on her breasts and lower leg. Now, I am absolutely terrified
that she will contract hpv from me due to viral 'particles' being on her hands and body  and then
she touches her vagina. I fingered her but did not put my penis anywhere remotely close
to her genitals. I wanted to tell her so badly about hpv, but I am so sick of wrecking a beautiful
moment with HPV discussions which has happened in the past.

I know mutual masterbation is considered 'safe sex' but how safe? There is so much misinformation
out there about hpv that I have become more confused and anxious the more i read on various websites.
I guess my pointed questions are:

1) just how safe is mutual masterbation? In theory, hpv can occur, but in clinical life it's like being struck by lightning?

2) What, if anything, do I need to tell her? I want to call her and admit this but I dont want her to think I'm a jerk or psycho?

3) Do you have any thoughts on the McGill Hatch study on carregeenen  and inhibiting hpv transmission?

please help me navigate this stressful situation ive found myself in. I really feel 'dirty' about my actions.
thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My views have not cahnged and I see no conflict between my reply to you and to other similar questions on the forum.  I have never seen a case of HPV that I thought was acquired by hand-genital contact and I would agree with Dr. Hook's "medical curiosity" statement.  Sometimes we reply that extremely low risk events have zero chance of occurring, even in we can imagine a theoretical possibility. I can't there is no chance you'll be struck by meteorite someday, but still would probably tell you the risk is zero.  

[GolfingGuy]

FIrst, i want to thank you. Second, i am going to have a discussion with the girl i wrote about. third, i am still confused from your answer with respect to other posts by yourself and dr hook from prior similar questions. I read on other mutual masterbation questions that this is 'safe sex' and that it's theoretically possible to transmit hpv but clinically it's not seen. your above positiion isn't quite as rosy and reassuring. When i talk to the aforementioned lady, I'd like to give her solid perspective. prior posts, it was indicated that cases transmitted by hand-genital are, i believe dr hook called it, medical curiosities. And that in clinic or at conferences this mode of transmission is not seen other than ancedotal cases. Has your view changed? thank you very much.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

With warts continuing to appear as you are treated, it must be assumed you still have an active HPV infection that could be transmitted to partners.  Whether it can be transmitted by hand-genital contact is uncertain, however.  HPV occasionally is diagnosed in virgins, and the best guess is that this usually is explained by hand-genital or oral-genital contact.  However, if such transmissions actually occur, they are rare, and transmission is far less likely than by intercourse.

To your specific questions:

1) "just how safe is mutual masterbation? In theory, hpv can occur, but in clinical life it's like being struck by lightning?"  Well, probably more common than the lightning analogy, but uncommon.  Unfortunately, there are no data to allow anyd more precise judgment.

2) Should you discuss your infection with your partner?  Most people would say yes.  If you're concerned enough to be worried, it seems only fair that you discuss those worries with your partner.  You may find she doesn't care very much.  Most people aren't especially concerned or worried about HPV, and that in fact is the healthiest and most appropriate attitude.

3) I'm not familiar with the study you cite.  But I will say that from a biological standpoint, I have no confidence that carrageenan would have any effect on HPV.

Perhaps the most important thing here is for you to try to gain the understanding that HPV, including infection causing warts, is an inconvenience more than an important health risk.  Virtually all sexually active people have genital HPV at one time or another.  And at any point in time, 30-50% of all sexually active people age 20-30 are infected; and probably 10-20% of all people have overt genital warts at one time or another.  Happily, serious outcomes are very uncommon.

I hope this has been helfpul. Best wishes--  HHH, MD