[Question #9312] After being fully vacinnated, can previous HPV type be spread from shaving?

34 months ago

Hello,

Hope all is well. I have two questions regarding what happens after one is fully vaccinated.

1. I read online that it's possible for genital warts/HPV to spread with things like shaving or rubbing the skin too much, but in general, if someone is fully vaccinated, they are protected from new types of HPV and also spreading current types to new areas, right? So things like shaving or scratching/pulling the skin accidentally should not be an issue when it comes to spreading HPV to potentially new areas? Just wanted to be sure.

2. I have also seen this recent article (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.881902/full) on AHCC. Am I correct that AHCC is... well, bologna?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

34 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. Congratulations as well for completing your HPV vaccination series. I will do much to keep you healthy. I'll go straight to your questions:

You are correct that among persons with ACTIVE visible warts closely shaving over the lesions can spread them (OTOH, while I suppose this could happen as well with vigorous scratching, it would be unusual). Once a wart has been treated and resolved however, it would be most unusual for shaving to re-activate and spread warts. Vaccination also does prevent acquisition of new infections due to other HPV types contained in the vaccine, as well spread of existing infection to new areas. .

2. I have also seen this recent article (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.881902/full) on AHCC. Am I correct that AHCC is... well, bologna?

I looked at the study you have cited. This is not a recognized therapy for HPV and the study was awfully small. I doubt that AHCC would do much to treat existing HPV but it would also probably not be particularly harmful. I would not count on the therapeutic efficacy of AHCC at this time.

Hope this perspective is helpful. EWH

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