HPV - Question on Passing it - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

Justin91z28 · 06-25-2004, 07:34 PM

Found out that g/f has HPV, so I am pretty sure that I do also. Done lots of reading in the last few days, but there is one thing I am not sure of. I have no symptoms of this at all, so how would I pass it to someone else? Doesn't there have to be a wart or lesion to be touched on me in order to spread to someone else? Or is all the skin in the genital region contagious even with no signs?

Katttob · 06-29-2004, 09:27 AM

Hi there,
I have HPV and asked my 2 different docs these questions. I was told that there is less than a 3% chance my bf will show symptoms of the virus (get warts). Men rarley show symptoms because the virus thrives in an environment like the vagina or cervix (depending on which strain you have). But, even though if you don't have symptoms, it does NOT mean you don't have the virus-you probably have it, you just don't show symptoms. This is why HPV is so common is because 1/2 the people who have it don't even know it! So, if you don't have symptoms-but have had contact with someone who has it-you probably have it. So yes, you can still pass it on to others with no symptoms.
You are can pass the virus even when you have no symptoms (in your gf's case). Once the virus is in your system it never leaves, although it is believed that you body can suppress the virus about 2 years after having it, but it is still always there and can be passed on to others. And you are also at risk for getting other strains of the virus from new sex partners. But, if your bf has the virus and so do you-the two of you cannot pass it back and forth to eachother.
I am not sure if she has the high risk for cancer strain-but if so, just for your info...I have this strain too and asked my doc the chances of a man getting penille cancer from HPV, and he told me that a guy would have a higher chance of getting hit by a meteor than getting penille cancer from HPV.
Hope this info helps and can clear your mind! Let me know if you have any other ?'s.
Good luck with your gf! Just some advice for your relationship (because I have been going through this with my bf for about 4 months now) be supportive and understanding with her and give her time to get use to the fact that she has an STD. I have had a hard time with this, and sometimes my bf can't understand why I am still upset about it...so give it some time and I PROMISE this will pass and your relationship will be stronger from it! But from reading your post it sounds like your a great bf and care for your gf alot, that it great!
Good luck!