[Question #6068] HPV Transmission Between Partners & sex

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71 months ago
My Partner has been diagnosed with HPV Genitals Warts about a month ago, I went to get checked by the Dr about 2 weeks ago and had no warts visible on my scrotum just a few skin tags.  However this week I notices 2 small bumps on scrotum area that were not there before which I'm going to get checked this week.  My question is If we are both HPV i+ s it safe to have sex even while she's finishing up her treatment (1 week to go) and If i find out that these new bumps on my scrotum are warts?  With the presence of warts can I pass more warts onto her and vice-versa if were are both +?  Would  one treatment of Liquid Nitrogen on my new bumps be effective in killing those small warts and be OK to have sex? Just curious to know as I do not want to pass anything "new" onto her if  in fact have i do have genital warts.   I guess Im looking for what the rule of thumb is for having sex while your both HPV + and if you can spread more warts to your partner even though your both HPV +.   We are in a monogamous relationship..  
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
71 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  Thanks for your follow-up as it related to your skin tags which can certainly last for years.  

In regard to your question, we rarely suggest abstinence because of HPV infection, including genital warts.  Just about everyone has them.  If you partner is being treated, that should, if anything make her less infectious.  I see no reason for you and your partner to abstain from unprotected sex either because of her warts under treatment or because of your new "bumps" (which are unlikely to be warts since most warts take several months to develop following infection - it sounds like your warts appeared rather recently.  

The question of "passing on" HPV infection in either direction is really a non-issue.  you have both been exposed, most sexually active persons have HPV already whether or not they have visible warts and the only realistic way to prevent acquiring new infections is to get the HPV vaccine.  

Hope this information is helpful.  If anything is unclear, please use the follow-up function for me to provide clarification.  EWH
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71 months ago
A bit unclear.. Just so I'm understanding.. If My girlfriend is HPV + and I am HPV + then we do not have to worry about reinfecting each other in other parts of our body by having sex?  I recently received oral from her (before I noticed I had a small bump on my penis)  I'm worried that the bump that recently showed up on my penile shaft will reinfect  her orally..  Is this possible? if she passed on the HPV virus to me or Vice Versa, does she need to worry about oral transmission? Also does Liquid Nitrogen immediately kill the HPV virus?  If you could please clarify that would be great, feeling extremely anxious
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
71 months ago
I think you anxiety is misplaced, as I have already suggested in response to your other question.    "What if" questions serve little purpose.  Thus:

1.  "I recently received oral from her (before I noticed I had a small bump on my penis)  I'm worried that the bump that recently showed up on my penile shaft will reinfect  her orally..  Is this possible? if she passed on the HPV virus to me or Vice Versa, does she need to worry about oral transmission?".  Is it POSSIBLE? , sure.  Is it likely, no!.  You have each been exposed to one another.  If transmission occurred, trying to determined when it occurred is virtually impossible. Further, if transmission occurred, the health consequences of transmission are statistically unlikely and not a major concern from a medical perspective.  

2.  "Also does Liquid Nitrogen immediately kill the HPV virus?"  The freezing/thawing process which occurs with liquid nitrogen application destroys tissues, including infected cells.  

As already explained, I think your concerns are misplaced.  EWH
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