[Question #12626] Have I beaten HPV, and can I get tested for it without lesions or symptoms?

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6 months ago
Noticed one lesion January 2023, biopsied, found type unlikely to cause cancer.  No lesions before or since.  Had both HPV vaccines, but may have been vaccinated post infection.  Heard body can eliminate HPV on its own.  Since no more lesions, can I assume I can no longer infect anyone, and is there a test for HPV that works even though no current symptoms?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
6 months ago
Welcome to our Forum.  Thanks for your questions and your implied confidence in our service.  I note that you have asked two related questions in rapid succession. I have deleted one of them, asked that your posting fee for that question be re-funded and will try to address your concerns in this reply.  If you have specific questions about HSV-2, please re-post your question specifically on herpes.

HPV-  Congratulations on getting vaccinated for HPV- that's the single most important thing you can do to prevent HPV infection and the relatively rare occurrence of HPV-related cancers.  If your wart was entirely removed by your biopsy, that may have entirely cured your HPV infection.  If not entirely removed, your risk of cancer is negligible.  Most genital warts are caused by HPV strains not associated with cancer and whether or not a cancer-associated strain, over 95% of HOV infections resolve, with or without therapy over a period of 1-2 years.  I would assume that your active HPV infection is a thing of the past.  FYI when HPV infections go away over time, small amounts of HPV DNA can still be detected using sophisticated research tests which can be the source or occasional recurrent viral shedding but that is negligible and not a problem.

There are no tests for HPV in men but as I tried to indicate above, this is not something I'd worry about.

There are no meaningful interactions of HPV and HSV.   Was your HSV-2 infection diagnosed with a lesion swab?   FYI, HSV-2 is virtually never transmitted through sustained open-mouth kissing.  Transmission of HPV from your mouth should not be a concern (I'm presuming your wart was a genital lesion, correct?.  Even in the unlikely circumstance that it was oral, risk of transmission through open mouth kissing is negligible and not a concern

I hope this information is helpful.  If there are additional clarifications, please use your up to 2 follow-ups for clarification.  EWH
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6 months ago
Dr. Hook, thanks for your response.  No, my HSV2 infection was detected via a blood test.  Yes, the wart was an HPV wart and, yes, it was located on penis.  Also, yes, that wart was completely removed.  Will consider HPV resolved.  Will re-post question on herpes.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
6 months ago
Regarding your HSV,  blood tests are relatively common false positives.  Do you have recurrent lesions.  If not, you may want to explore further diagnostic testing with Terri.  EWH---