Wart Recurrence after a Year, Help Doc HHH

[Joshua88]

Dear DocHHH,

I don't know if you still remember me, but I've seek help regarding my genital warts problem a year ago.  You were the only specialist that time.  After a year of clear genitals, Last night during the once in a while usual checking, I've found a small wart at the base of my genitals.  I thought I cleared my warts / hpv since i'm cleared of it for a very long time.  What could be the cause of the recurrence?  I've lost 20lbs from my weight loss program through diet and gym exercise.  Can this be a factor?  I'm having this wart treated anyway, just like before.  Could i get an opinion or suggestion on this? Now my fiance is freaked out again because i had a recurrence.  She's getting checked out and tested too today.  Will we ever have a normal life again?  I'm so frustrated right now.

by the way, a friend of ours had chicken pox, i was told that chicken pox can lower the immune system of people around him.  we travelled together last weekend, can this be a factor? though i had chicken pox as a child and had my shots a year ago.

I'm sorry doc, im just too frustrated to think right right now.

Best Regards,
Joshua88

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No need for abstinence.  That is what condoms are for.

In addition, your comments regarding your dermatologist not being sure are interesting.  I would suggest working with them.  Perhaps this is not a wart.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Good luck. EWH

[Joshua88]

By the way Doc, My dermatologist was skeptical about my lesion, she suggested that it "might" be an enlarged hair follicle.  But it really looked similar to the warts that i had before.  Well, she's the expert.  I really hope she's right, we got rid of it anyway.  

Thank you doc for the reply.  It really helped clearing things out for me.  I just hope that me and my fiance would be clear of the problem soon.  Thank you

[Joshua88]

I guess, We have to practice abstinence for now? untill im clear? yes?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear of her result.

Perhaps I mis-read your original post. My impression was that there were not other partners.  If there were, then the answer is certainly yes, this could have come from another partner.  As you point out, there shouldn't be "ping-ponging", as least while warts are present.  The possibility does of ping-ponging howeer increases when one partner is cleared of their infection.  EWH

[Joshua88]

My fiance have just had her examination.  Everything came out negative, her OB checked every angle thoroughly and didnt find a thing, I hope it stays that way.  She had her smear too, will wait for result.  Im getting treated tonight.

I thought that there is no pingpong effect on the said problem? Since we're both carrier of the virus?

I think its possible that i might got this from another partner?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You got me rather than Dr. Handsfield.  We now share the site.  I will be addressing your query.

I can understand your frustration.  After a year of being seemingly wart free, to experience a recurrence is indeed a drag.  So, why did it recur?  There are really only two possibilities.  You had a recurrence of your prior infection or you caught an infection from your GF.  As for having a recurrence of your own.  After six months without a recurrence, it is unlikely that your own infection would have recurred.  On the other hand, you may have had a recurrence some time ago which you only noticed recently.  The other possibility is that your GF has a wart that she is unaware of (and may be small enough to be in apparent) and the you were re-infected.  

As to how to sort out the two possibilities - there is no way.  No matter what turns up on your GFs exam, both are possibilities.

So, what to do?  My advice is to get your wart treated (please verify that this is what this is first), retreat to condoms for a while (3-6 months), and work through it.  there is no reason for recrimination or blame.  One or both of you has just has bad luck.

I hope this is helpful.  EWH