I know that most doctors would say "no", but I have seen cases where both partners are virgins and still they have HPV (not inherited), or women aged 70 who don't have sexual relationships and at some point their pap test comes out positive. It makes me wonder if the scientific community ignores much about HPV. Why does 90% of the population have it? Are all couples cheating on the their partners?
2006-10-23 01:29:56 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
I think you have heard some wrong information about the virus.
HPV is almost ALWAYS sexually contracted, either by sex (oral, anal or vaginal) or by some sort of skin to skin contact. Mothers can also pass HPV to their baby during birth but this is REALLY rare. Also HPV is not "inherited", it is passed down, or contracted by the baby. HPV is not a disease that is inherited like sickle cell or colorblindness.
Just because a person hasn't had vaginal intercourse doesn't mean that they haven't tried something sexual. Virgins are still considered virgins even if they have given someone else oral sex, hand jobs, "dry humping", received a hand job and received oral sex. So, virgins can definitely contract the virus, even if they are still virgins. ALL of these things can spread HPV, not just vaginal sex.
Also, 90% of the population doesn't have the virus. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year. This doesn't mean they still have the virus though. Many people can actually get rid of the virus. It says "have acquired", that doesn't mean they still have the virus. People CAN and do get rid of HPV.
Most couples are not cheating on each other. Most people don't realize they have the virus and pass it along to partners unknowingly. It can take months and even years, if at all, for symptoms of HPV to show up. So, for these months or years people are spreading it around and are not aware of it.
Check out this site for more information:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
2006-10-23 03:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think there are other ways to catch it. Just because someone is technically a virgin doesn't mean they haven't 'fooled around'. All it takes is skin on skin contact in that area- and this can include manual stimulation of an infected person's genitals and then touching your own. Penetration need not happen. So perhaps one of the 'virgins' are not being completely forthcoming of their past experience.
As for older women, HPV is a virus that can remain latent in one's body for years. Perhaps they have had it for years but up until this point their body has been able to keep it at bay and prevent any symptoms. Once you get older your immune system weakens and the virus can show itself.
HPV does NOT necessarily mean that someone has cheated. Only people who have symptoms know they have it and only a low number of people get symptoms. That is how such a high percentage have it. And your 90% is a little high- I think the numbers suggest up to 80% have it a some time or another. Some are able to clear the virus completely while others struggle with it long term.
2006-10-23 01:53:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Do you think there are other ways of catching HPV apart from sexual contact?
I know that most doctors would say "no", but I have seen cases where both partners are virgins and still they have HPV (not inherited), or women aged 70 who don't have sexual relationships and at some point their pap test comes out positive. It makes me wonder if the scientific...
2015-08-20 15:04:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jade 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How Do You Catch Hpv
2016-11-02 11:18:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Hpv Hereditary
2016-12-14 04:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol, it is very easy to catch it.... and its only 78% of people have it i think.... you can get HPV on your lips and have, harded to give it or catch in on your hands, but you lips on the other hand... you should watch where you are kissing lol
2006-10-23 09:43:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
wow!
2006-10-23 08:41:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋