Hpv

[hotrod]

Anyone here an "expert" on HPV? I've got some specific questions but the information I've found on the web site is pretty general. It seems that most of the information regarding transmitting the virus to others has to do with genital warts (tranmission possible by skin-to-skin contact in the gential areas). What about if a person had HPV, which caused abnormal growths in the cervix, but no genital warts? Could transmission still be possible via skin-to-skin contact, or would there have to be exchange of bodily fluids (sexually transmitted)?? In other words, there are many different strains of the virus but are they all transmitted the same way, or would it be different per strain? From what I've read, men rarely show symptoms of HPV and that it is one of the most common STDs. I also read that most people show no symptoms of the virus and that most people will cure themselves of the virus in 6 to 8 months. I'd appreciate some insight to my questions or if someone could point me in the right direction to other resources I'd be greatful.

Thanks!

[BlueSwede]

Originally posted by hotrod
Anyone here an "expert" on HPV? I've got some specific questions but the information I've found on the web site is pretty general. It seems that most of the information regarding transmitting the virus to others has to do with genital warts (tranmission possible by skin-to-skin contact in the gential areas). What about if a person had HPV, which caused abnormal growths in the cervix, but no genital warts? Could transmission still be possible via skin-to-skin contact, or would there have to be exchange of bodily fluids (sexually transmitted)?? In other words, there are many different strains of the virus but are they all transmitted the same way, or would it be different per strain? From what I've read, men rarely show symptoms of HPV and that it is one of the most common STDs. I also read that most people show no symptoms of the virus and that most people will cure themselves of the virus in 6 to 8 months. I'd appreciate some insight to my questions or if someone could point me in the right direction to other resources I'd be greatful.

Thanks!

HPV (human papilloma virus) is just another name for genital warts. You might think of it like this: The name of the disease is HPV, which is caused by a virus. It can cause visible warts that can be seen, for example, on the woman's lips, vaginal walls, cervix, and anus. It is my understanding that you could still get HPV having skin to skin contact if one of the people has warts on their genitalia. No matter the strain, they are transmitted in the same way. You are correct that some strains cause abnormal growths in the cervix (which can lead to cancer of the cervix). You are correct that men rarely show symptoms, which is why it is one of the most commonly transmitted STDs today. I don't think that the warts are going to go away by themselves; usually they do have to be removed. It is true that an infected person is much less likely to get any more warts after 6 to 8 months. However, once you have the virus (HPV), you have it for life. So even though you may not have any visible symptoms, you will still always be able to pass it on to another partner. I hope this helps.

[Lilith]

Use a condom!!!!!!!

[hotrod]

Use a condom!!!!!!!

Oh, I do...... but from what I've read, there is still risk of transmission. That is why I was asking the questions.

[hotrod]

So what if my possible future partner has HPV but never had genital warts, but did have the abnormal cell growth in her cervix. She had surgery to remove the growths about 2 years ago and has been fine ever since. Therefore, is she contagious through skin-to-skin contact, or would it take more than that since she never had genital warts?

[IggysGirl]

I have a strain of HPV that causes cervical cancer thanks to my ex husband. HPV doesn't mean genital warts and it doesn't mean cancer since there are over a 100 different strains out there. A condom will NOT protect you 100% from HPV, think about it vaginal fluid does get on you even if you wear a condom. My Dr. has even told me there have been rare cases of HPV in the mouth.

[Lilith]

Thanks Iggy'sGirl for first hand knowledge. Better be safe than sorry hotrod. You know there is probably a local health department that has info you may need if you are going to sustain a long term relationship with someone with an std.

[hotrod]

Iggysgirl - Ok, so are you saying that a person with the strain that causes cervical cancer can only transmit it through exchange of bodily fluids? So if I were to have sex with this person and contract HPV, it wouldn't necessarily harm me, but I could then risk passing it on to someone else, right? So then if I had it, a person could contract it from me only via bodily fluids? Would this include saliva, through simply kissing, or would if have to be by sexual contact?

Sorry for all the questions/senarios, but I want to become well educated on this.

Thanks for your replies.

[Lilith]

check this out hot rod

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,234287_150606,00.html



&
(read all 3 pages)

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/infectious/qas/0,,242108_175893,00.html

[IggysGirl]

Males can be infected with HPV and not know it. They can also be infected with the strain that causes genital warts and have warts. The way my Dr. explained it to me is it is rare to be found in the mouth but if you do have oral HPV it can be spread by saliva, but that is rare. HPV is normally spread by sexual intercourse and a condom can NOT protect you 100%. A man can have HPV, wear a condom and still infect a women just like a infected women can spread it to a man wearing a condom. HPV mainly affects females more then males. Females can get pelvic inflammatory disease, genital warts and cancer. Its silent and most people infected don't know they have HPV. I only found out I had it when my cervical cancer returned. There isn't a cure for HPV and I will most likely have a hysterectomy in the future.