hpv can it go away - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

lonesomeman · 01-18-2009, 08:43 PM

I had been told seven years ago my wife had hpv. she said it went away on its own. Is that possible? We are divorced now and I would like to date again, but affraid of giving it to anyone. should I be worried, I have had zero signs only once several years ago. Or will I have to date others with hpv? What sort of test at doctors office will prove to me it is gone forever?

Pickle Eyes · 01-19-2009, 11:06 AM

It is entirely possible, if your wife had high risk HPV, that her body cleared the virus. She still carries the virus, but it isn't causing any problems. So medically, they say it is "cleared." Since you have had sexual contact with her, you have been exposed to HPV. The truth is, it is difficult to determine who brought the virus to the relationship. Anyone who has had any sexual experience (including various things that are not considered "sexual intercourse") can be exposed to HPV as long as there is skin to skin contact with the genitals (vagina, vulva, anus, rectums, penis, mouth/throat).

As far as dating in the future, there is no test for men (for high risk HPV). AND over 80% of the female population who has ever had any sexula contact, by the age of 50, has been exposed to HPV at some point in her life.

For most people, high risk HPV causes no problems.

Drafly · 01-19-2009, 04:21 PM

If you have contracted HPV that it will never be gone and you will have it for life, it is incurable. This does not mean that you will ever show symptoms of the disease and could therefore pass it on to someone else with whom you are involved. Since there is no way to determine if you are carrying HPV and in the interest of honesty, I would certainly explain your exposure to anyone with whom you intended to have sexual contact.

I've divorced and wrestling with this also. Have not been in a relationship in 7 years, my choice. Now that my son has graduated college and daughter is graduating HS this June I was contemplating getting back into the dating scene but then questioned how I would ever explain this to anyone and visualized the guy fleeing for his life and getting the heck of of Dodge. I'm sure there is someone out there for me, but at this point, dealing with recurrent anal /rectal cancer from HPV, I've got too many medical issues and emotional baggage to continue with the idea of dating now.