br0wniecrombie
05-20-2005, 09:39 AM
Hi all,
Ok I am still a bit confused about this whole hpv thing. The first break out I had with GW was last July and got them treated and they were gone in Nov. I havent had another breakout... However I went to get a pap and it came back normal, (2 weeks ago) Sooooooo this DOES NOT mean that I am cleared right? I still have the virus and am still contagious, correct? If I have sex, would the condoms help much, if I recieved oral, would that be a good idea? Sorry for all the questions.. Im just really confused cus I read that if you dont have any breakouts after 6 months, that you're in the clear?? Ok, any info would be greatly appreciated, thank you for taking your time with this.........
Ok I am still a bit confused about this whole hpv thing. The first break out I had with GW was last July and got them treated and they were gone in Nov. I havent had another breakout... However I went to get a pap and it came back normal, (2 weeks ago) Sooooooo this DOES NOT mean that I am cleared right? I still have the virus and am still contagious, correct? If I have sex, would the condoms help much, if I recieved oral, would that be a good idea? Sorry for all the questions.. Im just really confused cus I read that if you dont have any breakouts after 6 months, that you're in the clear?? Ok, any info would be greatly appreciated, thank you for taking your time with this.........
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victoria48
05-20-2005, 10:11 AM
There are many different strains of HPV and the strain which causes warts is different to the strain which causes abnormal cells in the cervix.
Your pap (smear) test only tests for abnormal cells, not HPV so it could be that you have the strain of HPV which can cause abnormal cells in the cervix but it has not caused any damage.
In some cases the body can fight off HPV but in the majhority of cases it just lies dormant in the body (meaning that you always have HPV but it causes no harm). There is no set time frame, such as 6 months without an outbreak which means you are in the clear.
Your pap (smear) test only tests for abnormal cells, not HPV so it could be that you have the strain of HPV which can cause abnormal cells in the cervix but it has not caused any damage.
In some cases the body can fight off HPV but in the majhority of cases it just lies dormant in the body (meaning that you always have HPV but it causes no harm). There is no set time frame, such as 6 months without an outbreak which means you are in the clear.
br0wniecrombie
05-20-2005, 01:18 PM
Thank you for your post. SO what about having sex and oral sex..
sparkleflower
05-20-2005, 02:18 PM
Despite what you hear, condoms are about 80% effective in preventing transmission of HPV.
You may or may not be contagious. I've read that about 90% of people clear the virus after 6 months to a year without an outbreak. However, I don't think that it really matters when it comes to HPV, because it's really so innocuous and so prevalent. I do believe you should tell your partners you've had HPV in the past, but I also think that you should remember that the strains of HPV that cause visible warts just cause visible warts. The strands that can lead to cervical cancer, and those that produce no symptoms, don't really affect men. So, when you think about HPV, think about whether you'd worry as much if you had a wart on your hand :-)
Oral sex is fine. Oral warts are EXTREMELY rare, likely only to show up in immunocompromised people. You can also think of it this way - almost everyone has HPV, and almost everyone has oral. If oral warts were that common, just about everyone would have them :-)
You may or may not be contagious. I've read that about 90% of people clear the virus after 6 months to a year without an outbreak. However, I don't think that it really matters when it comes to HPV, because it's really so innocuous and so prevalent. I do believe you should tell your partners you've had HPV in the past, but I also think that you should remember that the strains of HPV that cause visible warts just cause visible warts. The strands that can lead to cervical cancer, and those that produce no symptoms, don't really affect men. So, when you think about HPV, think about whether you'd worry as much if you had a wart on your hand :-)
Oral sex is fine. Oral warts are EXTREMELY rare, likely only to show up in immunocompromised people. You can also think of it this way - almost everyone has HPV, and almost everyone has oral. If oral warts were that common, just about everyone would have them :-)
br0wniecrombie
05-20-2005, 11:32 PM
Thank you so much Sparkle, you are really nice.
sparkleflower
05-20-2005, 11:42 PM
(hugs) I'm glad you thought it helped :-) Don't worry, you'll be fine!