HPV question - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

BP · 05-28-2004, 08:23 AM

about 15 years ago my then girlfriend said that I had given her genital warts, I had been unfaithful to the relationship but I never had any symptons. She of course ditched me and life went on. Over the years I had other girlfriends and am now married with children. From that time on I have never had symptons nor have my partners. Before my wife's second pregnancy she had three miscarriages, so her and I were tested for just about everything under the sun and all was negative. I don't know, however, if we were tested for HPV. I guess what my question boils down to, is whether or not this would of shown up either in a test during my wifes pregnancy, or as symptoms sometime during this 15 year period, or was my ex lying? If I had the strain that gave my ex the warts, wouldn't I have given my wife the same strain?

Thanks

Katttob · 05-28-2004, 09:09 AM

BP,
HPV symptoms rarley show up in men, this is the virus is so contagious. Even if you don't have symtpoms it doens't mean you don't have HPV you can still have the virus with no symptoms and still pass it on to others.
It would depend on what kind of test your doctor performed on your wife to see if she has HPV. I am not sure what test it is shes needs I only know that HPV usually results in an abnormal pap smear and then further DNA testing is done.
Because HPV lives in the skin cells there is no test for men. On women, the virus lives on the cervix, but there is no where for it to live with men, therefore the only way you would know if you really had is if you physicall broke out with warts. But if you've never have had warts it doesn't mean you don't have it, because you could be immune to the warts but still carry the virus and pass it to others.
Hope this all makes sense, this is nasty little virus. Talk to your doctor if you have questions, I am sure they could address your needs.

beezkneez · 05-29-2004, 01:25 AM

BP, as Katt said there are no tests for men who carry certain strands of HPV. There are over 100 different strands of HPV. There are strands that cause actual warts on the genital area which men will develope as women will too. Then there are strands that men carry without knowing and that will cause cervical dysplasia on a woman. (not actual warts but abnormal cell growths on her cervix.) A man cannot be tested for this kind of HPV. The best thing for her is to have a pap smear or a cervical hpv test. HPV can cause miscarrages if not treated and cervical cancer! Best wishes

BP · 05-29-2004, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the reply, she has had several pap smears over the years and all have been normal. I think that when she had the miscarriages they surely would of tested her for that correct? If my ex had the kind of hpv that gives women warts, wouldn't my wife have the same?? and develop warts, or is there some strain that will show up as warts on some women and not on others. Will this cause any long term affects on me or her as long as she has normal pap smears?

Thanks

beezkneez · 05-30-2004, 02:53 AM

All HPV is considered genital warts which is a misconception. Like I said some strands cause warts, others cause cervical dysplasia - all of which are HPV aka. Genital Warts. I'm not sure if they would do an HPV test after her miscarriages or not. Also, another interesting fact is....if durring a pap smear, the doctor doesn't collect cells from the infected area, the tests can come up normal. That is why I think that she should have an HPV test specifically. Did your ex say that she had actual warts or just said she had genital warts. (do you understand what I mean?) Only actual warts can be spread if a wart is present. If she had actual warts on her genital area, and you had none, there is no way that you could have given it to her. (I don't think, I'm pretty sure but there is always a possibility I guess.) If she did have actual warts and you don't have any, I don't think you or your wife are going to have any problems. Also, tell her to ask about the next time she gets pregnant, if all tests come out well, to ask her doctor about the stitch they put at the opening of a womans cervix. It could just be that it is weak and she can't support carring the baby. Hope all turns out well...any more questions just ask.