[Question #10050] Possible HPV Encounter (HPV Vaccine Usefulness)
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26 months ago
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I recently (past few days) had a sexual encounter with someone and while giving vaginal stimulation with my hand I grazed what seemed to be a lump on her inner thigh. As it was dark I could not see it, but the next morning, I briefly saw a flesh colored bump. She was, at one point, on top of my stomach grinding for a few minutes... Can this be a site for possible infection?
I think the website has stated that any hand to vaginal area and then self stimulation is not a risk for transmission, is this correct? I also thought I felt some bumps near the vagina, but I did not see anything. I know this could also be something like ingrown hairs, as she shaved somewhat recently. We had a shower and there was penis to buttocks rubbing with soap and water, and perhaps some rubbing, due to proximity, in the vaginal area. I used a condom and attempted sex, but did not have any, perhaps some brief thigh / thigh touching, then received unprotected oral. If she did have HPV is the oral sex likely to cause an infection?
I am recently out of a 7 year relationship (39 m) and this encounter had me a bit paranoid. Is it useful for me to get the vaccine considering my age. I thought I had a scare years ago and did nothing, and saw nothing. Statistically I may have already had it, but should I consider the vaccine if money isn't an issue? Thank you.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
26 months ago
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Come to our forum. Thanks for your questions. I will briefly address your questions below but I would also strongly encourage you to look at other threads on our forum, addressing the topics of HPV. There are many and we make them available to provide information and learning opportunities to clients. In reviewing them, you will see that we consider HPV in an innocuous nuisance, and that persons engaged with new and/or potentially infected partners, should not be concerned about acquisition of HPV. At your age, and assuming that you have had prior sexual partners, you probably have had HPV in the past like virtually all sexually active adults. In addition, HPV is transmitted through direct sexual contact, not through manual stimulation or casual contact of the sort to describe. In answer to your specific questions:
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As you move forward into new relationships, please be aware that the legs and genital areas commonly have a number of bumps and irregularities present which are not HPV. Specifically related to your questions, the location you described on the leg would be an unusual place for a genital wart, and as you point out, the lesion you noted is likely to be folliculitis or other non-HPV benign dermatologic processes.
You are correct, contact of the hands or other body parts with HPV infection, followed by direct genital stimulation does not transmit HPV. Similarly, the rubbing, shower contact, and other contact does not put you at meaningful risk.
Oral HPV infections are far less common than genital infections and are unlikely to be transmitted by performing oral sex.
The decision to seek HPV vaccination is a personal choice however, given your age and the likelihood of prior infections, I would personally not seek the HPV vaccine. This, of course, however, is your choice.
I hope the information I provided has been helpful to you. I would not be worried in the least. EWH.