[Question #10085] Info on HPV and other stds

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26 months ago
Hello- I have been with my wife since we were both 18. We are each others first and only sexual partners. However, 5 years ago I foolishly had protected anal sex with someone else. I made sure I used a condom and since the have been tested multiple times and received negative results. However I have the following questions:
1. Should I be worried that I have her hpv? She had a normal Pap smear a year after I cheated, but I read that hpv can lie dormant for years then pop up. 

2. Should I tell her about my infidelity? I’m nervous because we are each others one and only partners. 

3. Are there other stds I should be worried about? 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
26 months ago
Welcome to our Forum.  Thanks for your questions.  I'll be glad to comment.  HPV infections are, for the vast majority of persons who acquire them, innocuous infections which resolve without consequences within a year or two after acquisition.  I would not be worried- the likelihood of infection following a single exposure is low and your wife has already had a normal PAP smear without evidence of infection.  New evidence of infection is unlikely to appear since her last evaluation.  In response to your questions:

1. Should I be worried that I have her hpv? She had a normal Pap smear a year after I cheated, but I read that hpv can lie dormant for years then pop up. 
See above.  This us quite unlikely to occur

2. Should I tell her about my infidelity? I’m nervous because we are each others one and only partners. 
Disclosure is a personal choice however now five years after your encounter outside of your marriage is late for this.  Personally I would not, disclose, worrying that the disclosure might cause additional difficulties in your marriage.

3. Are there other stds I should be worried about? 
No

My responses above reflect our feelings about HPV in general.  I would encourage you to look at other posts on the Forum to learn more about HPV.  We make them available so clients can learn from them.  EWH
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