Aa
HPV
It is a scary and also a sad fact that there is no test to detect if someone had acquired HPV form a sexual encounter.
1) I've read online that most men, over 90%, clear HPV from their body within 2 years. Is this true?
2) Anything specific that we can do to help the body fight off this virus?
3) Genital Warts - How fast do they grow in size?
4) Who is a good specialty MD to get genital warts or other penile abnormalities examined? GP vs dermatologist vs urologist vs Infectious disease?
we highly value your opinion and expertise. Also, any further insight you can provide us in regards to HPV and men from unprotected vaginal encounters is highly appreciated. Thank You.
1) I've read online that most men, over 90%, clear HPV from their body within 2 years. Is this true?
2) Anything specific that we can do to help the body fight off this virus?
3) Genital Warts - How fast do they grow in size?
4) Who is a good specialty MD to get genital warts or other penile abnormalities examined? GP vs dermatologist vs urologist vs Infectious disease?
we highly value your opinion and expertise. Also, any further insight you can provide us in regards to HPV and men from unprotected vaginal encounters is highly appreciated. Thank You.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm of course well aware of the social issues and stigma about STDs. But even there, HPV is in a special category since almost everyone is infected (usually more than once) and the large majority of infections never cause warts or other problems and go away on their own. Of the 100+ HPV types that primarily infect the genital area and are sexually transmitted, only 2 types (HPV 6 and 11) cause almost all genital warts.
Take care.
Take care.
Dr. Handsfield,
Thank you for your expert opinion. You are absolutely right, we do not routinely test for staph on skin or other infections. However due to the combination of societal stigma and the embarrassing physical warts that HPV can cause, make STIs in general "a problem"; I guess as a society due to the emphasis placed on STIs we are more aware of these compared to other infectious organisms that we all carry.
Do all HPV strains produce symptoms? To my knowledge the lower strains (??) cause genital warts. Once infected with wart causing HPV starin, do they all cause warts or only some people get warts from those strains?
And no, I did not know that we could only post 2 posts per six month period in Expert Forums. I do now :) However, from my last two posts, yourself and Dr. Hook were able to address some of my concerns. Thank you for all your help.
Thank you for your expert opinion. You are absolutely right, we do not routinely test for staph on skin or other infections. However due to the combination of societal stigma and the embarrassing physical warts that HPV can cause, make STIs in general "a problem"; I guess as a society due to the emphasis placed on STIs we are more aware of these compared to other infectious organisms that we all carry.
Do all HPV strains produce symptoms? To my knowledge the lower strains (??) cause genital warts. Once infected with wart causing HPV starin, do they all cause warts or only some people get warts from those strains?
And no, I did not know that we could only post 2 posts per six month period in Expert Forums. I do now :) However, from my last two posts, yourself and Dr. Hook were able to address some of my concerns. Thank you for all your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.
However, I am sad to hear you are so concerned about HPV and the lack of easy testing for it. Do you worry about the fact that people don't get tested for E. coli and we're intestines, or staph or strep on the skin? These are also infectious agents that healthy human beings all carry from time to time and that usually are harmless, but once in a while cause serious even fatal infections. HPV is even less serious and less important to know about these things are. This is why CDC doesn't even recommend examining the partners of people with known genital HPV infection. It makes no difference in their health.
1) True.
2) no. Nothing is known that helps clear HPV any faster than it's going to clear anyway.
3) Genital warts typically appear 6-12 months after exposure; sometimes soon as 2 months. It usually takes a few weeks or months for them to grow to 2-3 mm size.
4) You should see no doctor unless you notice what you think might bey warts. At that time, an STD specialist for dermatologist would probably be the best bet.
Really, this isnt anything you should concerned about at all. Finally, please note that MedHelp permits maximum of two questions every six months on the professionally moderated forums. This being your second recently, it will be have to be your last until next October at the earliest.
I hope this response has been helpful.(Dictated on my iPhone; you can blame Siri for any typos.)
HHH, MD
However, I am sad to hear you are so concerned about HPV and the lack of easy testing for it. Do you worry about the fact that people don't get tested for E. coli and we're intestines, or staph or strep on the skin? These are also infectious agents that healthy human beings all carry from time to time and that usually are harmless, but once in a while cause serious even fatal infections. HPV is even less serious and less important to know about these things are. This is why CDC doesn't even recommend examining the partners of people with known genital HPV infection. It makes no difference in their health.
1) True.
2) no. Nothing is known that helps clear HPV any faster than it's going to clear anyway.
3) Genital warts typically appear 6-12 months after exposure; sometimes soon as 2 months. It usually takes a few weeks or months for them to grow to 2-3 mm size.
4) You should see no doctor unless you notice what you think might bey warts. At that time, an STD specialist for dermatologist would probably be the best bet.
Really, this isnt anything you should concerned about at all. Finally, please note that MedHelp permits maximum of two questions every six months on the professionally moderated forums. This being your second recently, it will be have to be your last until next October at the earliest.
I hope this response has been helpful.(Dictated on my iPhone; you can blame Siri for any typos.)
HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
