[Question #2220] Both partners with new HPV.
92 months ago
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My husband of 15 years recently had an affair that resulted in us both contracting External Genital Warts. We are working through this infidelity with a counsellor but I am having trouble accessing the information that I require in terms of our current sexual relationship. I became symptomatic first with one lesion. He then had one lesion and then I had an additional 2 lesions. We are treating with topical Imiquimod which has proved effective in the first 2 isolated outbreaks within a week. Just recently I have had a third outbreak within 3 months. This one is more extensive with ~10 labial lesions. They are all very small. I understand that sexual contact should be avoided if there is skin trauma due to a medication reaction but should we be sexually abstinent always if external lesions are present. My primary concern is the introduction of internal vaginal or anal lesions. What about oral sex? Also, what about mastrabation in terms of self-spreading of the lesions? Any guidance on maintaining our sexual relationship (or should we be having intermittent pauses?)
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
92 months ago
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92 months ago
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Thank you for your prompt reply.
We have had a diagnosis made by a physician. There was approximately a 2 month interval between “the acquisition” and the first appearance of a lesion. It has proven difficult to get specific answers to these questions so I thank you kindly. I understand the concept that the virus can lie dormant until, hopefully, clearance is achieved. I know that we are not passing it back and forth. I guess my biggest concern is that when an external lesion(s) is present is the virus more likely to spread to unaffected areas (especially internally) or does that mostly have to do with skin trauma (i.e. micro trauma from shaving which I seem to be learning the hard way.) I can appreciate this is not a well studied concept.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
92 months ago
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