[Question #1623] HPV multiple strains
97 months ago
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Dear
Doctors, I will try and keep this brief but it’s complicated. Relevant facts:
- 38, heterosexual male.
Initially diagnosed type 6 and some small warts removed Dec 2012 and a few
times in 2013, including December 2013. Given HPV vaccine types 6,11,16
and 18 in Jan 2014.
- Very sexually active Jul 2012
to Nov 2014 after marriage breakdown (30 plus partners) at which time I
met my current partner. Being in a new relationship I got tested and was
surprised I was positive for (wet swab of penis) types 6,11,39 and 66.
- I largely then forgot about HPV
and was monogamous except for a breakup period in Feb 2016 when I received
oral sex. There was one troubling occasion, recently in Oct 2016, when I
was in company with CSWs drunk but I don’t recall sexual contact – I hate
not remembering this evening fully. Possible but I don’t remember.
- On Monday I noticed a tiny sand
grain like bump on my penis. Same day Dr examined it and thought it was an
old treated wart but swabbed me anyway.
- Today I got the results. It
stumped me. Cleared types 11, 39 and 66 but still positive for type 6 and,
this I don’t get, positive for a new type 43/44.
- I have no idea how I acquired
this "new" type or maybe it was there all along? Does this
mean I was unfaithful in October 2016? Not sure how this could have
happened. Could I have got it from my partner or could it have been
dormant before?
- I read that if you have
"coinfections" of different hpv types it can take more time to
clear them all.
FYI
my partner has had the shot for 6,11,16 and 18 prior to meeting me (not sure
when) but she had an abnormal cell pap (I think) back in October 2016 or
thereabouts. She was subsequently tested and the doctor told her she was low
risk and there was no need for her to attend a hospital (apparently the next
stage of testing). Prior to me I think she had 3 sexual partners in 2013/2014.
This
is probably feelings of guilt, which can be debilitating for me particularly
when I have no exact idea what happened in October 2016. I just don't know
how this could have happened and would appreciate if you could shed any light
on this as she will no doubt ask me. My doctor is currently overseas and uncontactable.
When he examined the 1 small bump yesterday he considered it too early to be
related to the Oct 2016 event (if there was one!). Another friend in the
medical field said it’s unlikely I’ll ever know the origin (but statistically
prob my current partner) and forget about it.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
97 months ago
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
97 months ago
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97 months ago
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- I had all 3 gardasil shots for types 6,11,16 and 18 in between December 2013 and January 2014 post my alleged type 6 infection. Guessing this doesn't change your assessment?
- Also, thanks for your follow up point regarding testing and that an indication of type 6 could also be 11. I previously read type 43/44 (the allegedly"new" type I'm concerned about that showed on my test just yesterday together with type 6) is related to types 6 and 11 being "low risk". Could it be that your statement "it's fair to assume you have type 6/11 and that the apparent distinction between them in your tests is meaningless" equally applies to type 43/44? However, as I gather from your response it's pointless trying to determine when/where this infection came from.
- FYI the test was with a wet spray, swab (no vigorous scrubbing) of different parts of the penis shaft. I think the purpose was to determine if we treat the sand grain size "wart/spot". I know it is a minor medical issue but will I eventually clear the virus, in particular type 6, which seems to have been around for years? I just hope I don't have to keep going back for treatment in years to come as it's only partially covered by insurance and removal is not pleasant! I have an appointment on Friday to deal with the current spot.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
96 months ago
|