[Question #8050] HPV Exposure
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49 months ago
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Hi,
I messaged in a long time ago at a Bowenoid Papulosis (confirmed with biopsy) which was diagnosed around 10 years ago and me informing past partners.
At the time I was in a long term relationship which lasted over 7 years - she was vaccinated and we never had any issues. Over that time I did have some redness close to the area which was treated with Aldara cream many years ago. I went to the dermatologist numerous times (three different ones too as I was sure it was back but they all assured me it wasn't and no tests or treatment were needed). I have managed to put that to bed and my blemish in that area is likely to be zoons balanitis like the dermatologist suggested but for sure nothing to worry about as he said he didn't want to see me again unless something changed drastically which is hasn't.
Anyway fast forward to right now and I have been broken up with my ex for 6 months or so and recently had an encounter with a new girl. This was for one night only and we kissed a lot and I fingered her but I didn't let her touch me because of worry about passing on hpv (kept boxers on). Should I be concerned that I may have passed it onto her from kissing, she didn't have any oral contact with me or genital to genital or even hand to genital? I have decided I wont be having any one-time encounters as I want to have the conversation about past hpv infection before sexual intercourse happens in future but wanted this worry off my shoulders as finding contradicting information on the internet and don't want to worry the poor girl unnecessarily.
Cheers!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Welcome back the forum. For some reason I cannot access your past interactions but I believe I can help you with this. As you know, Bowenoid papulosis is a very rare complication of HPV 16 infection. As I suspect you already know, HPV 16 is amongst the most common genital HPV types and in most people when it is acquired the infection does not progress and does not persist for than a few years. HPV 16 is also very effectively prevented by the HPV vaccine. No one understands why a tiny proportion of persons with HPV 16 develop Bowenoid papulosis while most persons do not. Since your infection was treated and has not recurred, you no longer have HPV 16 present on your genital skin and there is no meaningful risk of you transmitting your past infection to sexual partners through unprotected sexual intercourse or other close contact. I completely endorse your plans to discuss your past HPV with prospective partners but would not worry. Obviously, if your new partners are vaccinated, they are not at meaningful risk either.
Hope this helps. EWH
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49 months ago
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Thank you for such a quick response, I believe it was under a different username previously. The last time I was checked by a dermatologist was September last year and he gave me the all clear on a couple of occasions so can presume I no longer have an active hpv infection? this was actually a different dermatologist to whom I saw previously but seemed very unconcerned.
Just so I understand from the encounter I had from kissing and my hand to her genital contact - am I correct in thinking that is very low risk anyway? I just want to understand whether I should contact the girl to let her know of potential risk or whether there is no need to due to the exposure. She is 22 and I don't believe pap smears start until 25 in UK but not sure if there is a need for me to get involved in all of that on this occasion.
Thanks!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Yes, I would trust your dermatologist and assume that you no longer have active HPV 16 infection.
And yes, you are completely correct, neither kissing nor hand to genital contact are associated with any meaningful risk for HPV transmission. I see no reason to notify your partner related to the exposures you describe. Also, I would hope that now, by age 22, she will have received the HPV vaccine. EWH
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49 months ago
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Thank you for the advice.
I won't contact the girl as I fear it would worry her uneccesarily considering the low risk and that I have cleared the hpv infection.
I will, however; inform potential future partners and abstain from one-off encounters as the thought of me still having hpv16 and passing it on does worry me if I'm honest.
Thanks!
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
49 months ago
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Sounds like a great plan. Congratulations. I wish more people would take your mature and appropriate approach to their sexual health.
Signing off. EWH
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