[Question #9930] Warts
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27 months ago
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Hello,
I apologize in advance for any language mistakes - I'm not from US. I have a question regarding genital warts. I've developed them in anal canal and despite the fact that the treatment is problematic, it's not such a huge deal for me cause I know that they usually stop recurring after some time. The more significant issue is their impact on my future life. I'm planning not to have sex until they're gone and a few months after but I'm scared that even after this time I'll always be worried that I can transmit the virus to others or feel like a bad person for not disclosing this previous condition. Could you suggest me any way to cope with it mentally? The thought that I have destroyed my sexual life in such a young age (I'm not even 22) induced some severe depressive state and I'm currently on medication from a psychiatrist but it doesn't really solve the problem.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
27 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment but I would also strongly recommend that you look at some of the many other questions we have received on the topic of warts hand HPV- we have answered questions similar to yours hundreds of times.
I think you are over reacting- warts and HPV infections should NEVER have a negative effect on someone's future sex life. In persons who have not had the HPV vaccine over 80% of sexually active adults will have or have had HPV/genital warts. In most instances and particularly with treatment, they go away and do not cause complications. Further, because so many people have them, there is just no reason to worry about transmission of infection- most of your future unvaccinated partners will already have the infection.
---Have you spoken with your psychiatrist about your warts? If not, you should.
Suggestions:
1. Look at other threads on the Forum. For instance question 9927 deals with similar concerns to the ones you speak of.
2. Go to the web site of our sponsor, the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) and follow the link to the HPV information. It is very helpful.
3. Speak with your psychiatrist. If he/she is unfamiliar with HPv, show them some of the threads on this forum.
4. If you are not already vaccinated, I suggest you get vaccinated. The vaccine is highly effective for preventing future infections.
I hope this information is helpful. EWH
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27 months ago
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Thank you for your response. I've heard about the statement that most sexually active people get hpv but I'm worried that most of them catch strains that do not cause warts and I am, by having the 6/11 type, an actual threat to others. Can you correct me if this statement is wrong? I know that people with genital hsv-2 are obligated to disclose and I'm not sure how the situation with hpv warts is different. Could you also tell me if the risk of transmitting the virus to others end after some time, like e.g. 2 years or will it be infectious forever? The feeling that I won't be putting anyone in danger in the future would be really comforting to me. Sorry if my worries sound a little paranoid but I'm going through really hard time right now.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
27 months ago
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I’m afraid you have been misinformed. All HPV infections, whether or not they cause visible warts are transmissible to others through sexual contact. Not all HPV infections caused by HPV types 6/11 necessarily cause visible warts. In fact, because a very small proportion of types other than 6/11 can progress to cause pre-cancerous, lesions, many persons are more concerned about having those types than the types which causes visible genital warts, which are not associated with this complication.
Well, we certainly agree. That persons who have genital herpes should always inform sexual partners of their infection, we also feel strongly that it’s not necessarily the case with HPV infections because they are so common and there is so much misunderstanding. As I mentioned above, if you look at other threads on this forum, you will see that there are many, many discussions of why we believe disclosure is not necessary when persons have or have had HPV of any sort. Once again, I urge you to look at the resources I have mentioned above, including the ASHA website and other threads on this forum. That’s your concept that because of your infection you could be putting persons “in danger” is wrong.
My recommendations to you are unchanged. Please learn more information about HPV. Do not go to other sites on the Internet. Looking for this information as much of what is there is incorrect. EWH.
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27 months ago
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Thank you for the response. I guess I need to stop worrying about it that much then. But if could ask one more question - is there any data on how many people get infected specifically with the hpv 6/11 type in their lifetime?
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27 months ago
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+ is it ok to assume and inform future partners after being for example 1 year warts-free that I no longer have hpv and cannot infect them anymore?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
27 months ago
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HPV 6 or 11 cause about 90% of all genital warts and of all persons with any HPV infection HPV 6 or 11 causes over half. Estimates very but between 55 and 70% of all HPV infections are due to 6 or 11 in some studies. This infection is very common.
If you decide to disclose, which as you know, we feel it’s not necessary, you can feel comfortable saying that, if you have been wart free for more than six months, that you are not infectious to sexual partners.
As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client’s questions. This is my third response. Therefore this thread will be closed shortly without further replies. Take care. Please do your best to not worry. EWH.
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