[Question #12659] How to identify who exposed me to HPV

6 months ago

In October 2024, I (30 y/o male) developed a genital wart on the upper left side of my shaft about 3-4 weeks after having unprotected sex with a woman (in mid-Sept). Before that, the last person I slept with was between late Dec 2023 & early Feb 2024, which was also unprotected. The last time I had sex before Feb 2023 was May 2020 (protected), and I was in a monogamous relationship from Feb 2019 - April 2020.

I told the woman from Sept about the situation and she got tested (pap smear, general std test, etc..). Her results came back negative, so she claims it can’t be her. But to my understanding there isn’t a way to test for every strain of HPV that causes genital warts, only cancerous strains of HPV.

With the aforementioned information; is this a case of an old infection reactivating or does the proximity of having unprotected sex in Sept 2024 & the occurrence of the genital wart indicate that it came from the woman in Sept 2024?

Thank you!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment but trying to sort out where your wart came from is not a productive use of your time. I'm not surprised that your more recent partner (mid-September was negative and even if she were, it would be doubtful that she was your source since it typically takes at least 3 months for warts to become apparent following acquistion of infection. From the sound of things, you've had a number of partners over the years. Unless you've been vaccinated, your wart is most likely due to HPV 6 or 11 - there proportion of visible warts caused by other types of HPV is quite small- less than 10% and probably closer to 5%.

There are no recommended tests for HPV in men and while testing in women covers the HPV types that cover most strains causing genital warts as well as the majority of cancer associated strains (remember, only a small proportion of the so-called "cancer associated" HPV strains progress to pre-cancerous lesions. An even small proportion progress to cancer since many of the PAP smear changes suggestive of pre-cancerous lesions also resolve without therapy over time.

The wart you mention likely was the result of a more long standing infection and NOT your September partner. EWH

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6 months ago

Thank you for response & help. Will receiving the Gardasil-9 vaccine help me clear the infection sooner?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

Good question. There are limited data that persons who have been vaccinated against HPV may resolve their infections more quickly that they would otherwise. The data are suggestive, not definitive. OTOH, vaccination will help to prevent infection from any of the 9 vaccine strains that you do not have .

You have one follow-up remaining. EWH

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6 months ago

A few weeks after receiving cyrotherapy to remove the initial wart, I noticed what appeared to be a very small wart beginning to form. But after a month, the wart has disappeared. Does this indicate my body is starting to clear the infection?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

6 months ago

final answer. I would presume this is a good sign, if the lesion you noted was even a wart (there are many other non-STI dermatologic problems which can be mistaken for warts>

As you know, we provide up to 3 responses for each client's questions. I hope that the information I have provided has been helpful. Please don't worry, HPV infections are nothing to worry about as long as you and your partners follow routine health advice. EWH

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