Hello, I had a question this time regarding hpv or hsv. I don’t know a lot about it but I know I have gotten all my vaccines for it. I go frequently for STI testing because I get super worried about it but I don’t know if I’ve ever been specifically tested for hpv. I went today to my gyno to test for BV, yeast, trich, gonnorea and chlamydia just to check up. All were negative. I had a wicked small red mark next to my clitoris that seemed like raw skin from overly rubbing during sex. It felt a little sore for a day and it has been getting better but I had her swab it for HPV because my anxiety is crazy. She told me it doesn’t look like any sti and just looks like a minor irritation, one that you can’t even see without really looking at it. do you think this sounds like hpv and should I have the test cancelled? Because I read the cdc does not recommend routine testing if u don’t have symptoms and I don’t  have symptoms. If it comes back positive for some reason I don’t think I’d be able to handle the anxiety and stress. 

The mark doesn’t hurt at all anymore and it is barely noticeable. I don’t have any other symptoms. Should I just have the test cancelled because testing for asymptomatic isn’t recommended? I’m so scared of a false positive from the swab or something. I don’t know a lot about hpv or hsv I don’t even know the difference and I was hoping to get some info about this.   thank you

I'm sorry you continue to worry so much about STIs.  This is your 5th set of questions in the past 2 months, covering a variety of topics.  Your fears are out of proportion to your risk and clearly are causing you serious anxiety.  Your tendency to search the internet of sexual health related questions on makes your problems worse.  I encourage you to ask your doctor to refer you to a a counselor who can help you control your inappropriate anxieties.  You clearly have do one the right thing- gotten the vaccines that are available, testing regularly (perhaps too much).  Now it's time to get your anxieties under control.---

Hi doctor thanks for the response. I realize most of this is anxiety driven. I just wanted to learn information about hpv. Say it is positive, do I have to tell my male partner about this? I’m scared of a false positive. What exactly would it mean if this happened to be positive? there is no blister, fluid, bump or anything it looks like a small red mark.  But just wondering in case of the worst. 

I read your body gets rid of the virus naturally most of the time. Do men get symptoms ? Is it unsafe for men? I’m so scared it will come back positive but if there is no blisters or any other areas the chance is slim for positive? I read there actually has to be fluid and things of that sort for the swab to be accurate to pick it up anyways is this true? 

I am actually not sure whether she swabbed for hsv or hpv. What is the difference? 

HPV and HSV (herpes) are different sexually transmitted viruses.  Most sexually active persons who have not received the HPV vaccine have HPV whethrer they know it or not.  HPV is tested for routinely as a part of regular sexual health check ups by your Ob/Gyn.  To learn more about STIs, including HPV I suggest you either go to the web site of the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) who sponsor this forum to to the CDC's web site.  DO NOT use Google to inquire on these topics- it will mislead you.---

Do I have to tell my partner if Hsv is positive? As I said before it is not a blister in any way but I’m so scared . Are false positives common in hsv swab tests? I have never had a cold sore and I do not have any other areas on my genitals that have any issue. Just the small red mark. 

If you have herpes, it is proper to tell your partner.  Swab tests are virtually never falsely positive.  I am confident it will not be positive.  ---