About 4 years before I met my man he contracted genital warts from a girlfriend. I've heard that once you have had them they are a lways in your system. Is this true? Are there any risks for me as I have never had any STDs, are would it be impossible for me to catch them from him after so long? I have been with him for 5 years now and have had no problems.
2007-08-27 05:18:54 · 3 answers · asked by dnbgrrly 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
Even if the warts are physically gone, it doesn't necessarily mean the virus that causes them (HPV) is also gone.
Most people CAN get rid of the virus on their own though. Their bodies can basically "fight off" the virus. Some people will have it their entire lives though because HPV is a virus and there are no cures for viruses.
Also, there is NO test for men to detect HPV. So, it's possible your boyfriend may have gotten rid of the virus on his own, however, it's pretty much impossible to know for sure.
Have you ever heard of the vaccine called Gardasil? If not, I would highly suggest you look into it. Gardasil is a new vaccine for HPV. It can protect women from 4 different kinds of HPV. Two of those kinds are responsible for about 90% of genital wart cases and the other two kinds are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases. Check out the link below for more information about the vaccine:
http://www.gardasil.com/
Good luck and take care!
2007-08-30 14:28:56 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you could still catch it from him as its a virus that stays in his system, however, chances are you won't show any signs or symptoms and it can only be detected by your OBGYN when they do a routine pelvic. If you have it chances are your pap smear will come back abnormal.
It's a quick treatment, they use an ointment that will burn off the wart (it's painless) and it's done in the doctors office since they are usually found inside the vaginal canal. Make sure you get yearly checkups I've been told that Warts are linked to cervical cancer, you could be at a higher risk for cervical cancer if you've had G Warts.
Good luck
2007-08-27 09:33:18 · answer #2 · answered by Weimaraner Mom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, first and foremost, YOU NEED TO GET CHECKED OUT BY A DOCTOR. He could give you HPV even with a condom on. I unknowingly contracted genital warts from an ex-. I was using a condom, too. It is skin-on-skin contact that transmits it. If you don't have HPV, you should go get yourself immunized. Women are lucky- they get the immunization and are protected. But the condoms are still a must. These things suck- he'll ALWAYS have the virus. But with treatment, they are manageable. But like I said, get yourself checked right away
2007-08-31 04:40:15 · answer #3 · answered by sprinklerguy420 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genital warts are caused by a strain of the HPV virus. In many cases, a virus does stay with you for life, including HPV. BUT, doctors have found that with HPV " in most women the infection goes away on its own." In fact, it will go away in as many as 90% of cases.
Yes, even though you've been with him for five years, you can still catch HPV from him if he still has it. (If he hasn't seen warts for a while, it is possible he is in the 90% that clears the virus from his body.) If he still has the virus, it is possible that you've just been lucky to not catch it, but he can still be contagious to you. It is also possible that you have the virus but just haven't seen the signs. Most people with HPV don't notice symptoms.
2007-08-27 06:35:30 · answer #4 · answered by Trying to do the right thing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do run a risk of catching G warts even if you used a condom. Many people don't even know they have it because they have no symptoms ...sooo get tested
2007-08-27 07:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by Talk Talk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋