[Question #4966] HPV Question - transmission

78 months ago

Hi Drs Hook & Handsfield,

Thank you so much for all the info you provide on here, reading it really helps quell my anxiety.

Unfortunately this article appeared in my news feed today - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-45498024

This article says HPV is not just transmitted through sex but by skin/oral contact, and is very easily passed on! So now I’m worrying.

I suffer from severe asthma and respiratory issues - including bronchiectasis, bronchitis, COPD/asthma.

I take heavy doses of inhaled and oral steroids long-term, which seem to have the effect of thinning my skin and making it so I cut/bruise easily.

Also I suffer from Von Willebrand / other blood clotting disorders.

Reading on this forum, I had reassurance that despite the above conditions i had no need to worry. However in light of the above article please can I check the following:

Am I right to say there is no risk of contracting HPV through any of the following means:

- Living with high risk roommates and sharing razors/toothbrush/towels/potentially unwashed bedding over a period of 3-6 months. No sexual relations or contact however

- Using a fish foot spa once or twice in Asia/Africa

- Getting a non-sexual massage once or twice in Asia/Africa

Am I right to say that there are no medical conditions/medications a person could have that would change your answer to Q1?

Am I safe to say that your answer to Q2 includes my conditions such as bronchiectasis and Von Willebrand? Also any other blood clotting disorders? And also Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

The article states HPV is transmitted through close skin/oral contact. So does this mean HPV is transmitted by mouth-to-mouth kissing? Or does it instead mean oral sex?

Thank you so much Drs

78 months ago

Also sorry although I’m a guy I also had a female family member living with me, with the exact same conditions (bronchiectasis and Von Willebrand / other blood clotting disorders).

She also was exposed to the same transmission mentioned above - ie sharing towels/bedding/razors/toothbrush with high risk housemates over 3-6 months (no sexual contact however). Also she has used a fish foot spa and had a massage before in the same countries I mentioned.

I’m also worrying about her as much as myself. So sorry please could I add a question 5:

5. Would your answers to Q1-4 all apply equally irrelevant of whether the person was male or female?

Thank you again

Edward W. Hook M.D.

78 months ago

It troubles me to see you back on the Forum, asking the same questions that you have asked before under a new user name. This is misleading and subverts the intent of the Forum. Further, you are asking questions that you have asked and had answered before. That a lay publication pointed out widely known misconceptions regarding HPV several months ago does not change my answers. The best advice I can give to you is for you to seek professional counseling to help you address anxieties and concerns related to no risk events that occurred years ago. Repeating questions is not going to change the answers. Your respiratory problems, Von Willebrands, and gender make no meaningful difference. EWH---

78 months ago

Thank you Dr Hook that is so helpful and reassuring. I guess my only question is whether HPV can be transmitted by kissing? Or did the reference to oral contact in the article mean contact through oral sex etc?

Thank you again for your patience Dr. Sorry again for taking up your valuable time.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

78 months ago

I know of no evidence the HPV is transmitted through normal kissing.

You seem to be ignoring my comments about your abuse of our Forum. Please, no more of these repetitive, anxiety-driven questions. This thread is being closed now, consistent with warnings you received before you chose to try to access our site using another username. EWH

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