[Question #11445] Risk from exposure to HPV

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14 months ago

I (male) recently had unprotected sex with a new partner (female), both mutual oral & vaginal in a single evening. Afterwards she revealed that she had a persistent infection of a high-risk non-16/18 HPV strain (no other details on which strain). I completed the 3-shot course of Gardasil-9 in early 2020. Knowing there is no test for men, how likely is it that I may contracted HPV & could potentially suffer deleterious health effects? Also, do I need to disclose this exposure to potential new partners, or even abstain from sex to protect them?

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
Welcome to the Forum.  Thanks for your questions.  I'll be glad to provide some information and perspective which I hope you will find reassuring.  

Your risk for acquisition of HPV from your recent exposure is close to zero.  There are several reasons for this, including that most single exposures do not lead to infection and, more importantly you have received the vaccine which provides more than 97% prevention against infection with vaccine strains of HPV.  Your partner was good to have told you for having mentioned her persistent infection- she did not need to do this and I urge you not to think less of her because of her infection- virtually everyone who is sexually active and is not vaccinated has HPV 16 and/or 19.  Your risk approaches zero and is not something that you should worry about in the least.

Regarding disclosure- we get many questions from clients regarding disclosure of known infection.  We do not suggest disclosure in such circumstance.  Thus in your situation, having had a LOW RISK encounter in which you MAY have been exposed is certainly not something to worry about.  

My advice- thank your partner for her disclosure, she is a good person. Do not worry about your possible but very, very low risk exposure.  I would move forward without concern.  EWH
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