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Re: STD: HPV helpFrom: Pat Sonnenstuhl (anonymous@obgyn.net)Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:01:51 -0500 (CDT)
That is a difficult question to answer. It is virus that stays with you, and with him. If you are both infected, you both have the virus, and cross infection is an ongoing issue. The CDC STD guidelines are the most reliablae source of information. Links below, plus appropriate quotes. Perhaps this will help you with your question. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/ http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/genital-warts.htm http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/genital-warts.htm#warts5 <<Treatment <<The primary goal of treating visible genital warts is the removal of the warts. In the majority of patients, treatment can induce wart-free periods. If left untreated, visible genital warts might resolve on their own, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number. Treatment possibly reduces, but does not eliminate, HPV infection. Existing data indicate that currently available therapies for genital warts might reduce, but probably do not eradicate, HPV infectivity. Whether the reduction in HPV viral DNA, resulting from treatment, impacts future transmission remains unclear. No evidence indicates that the presence of genital warts or their treatment is associated with the development of cervical cancer. >> <<Genital HPV Infection Education and counseling are vital aspects of managing patients with genital warts. Patients can be educated through patient education materials, including pamphlets, hotlines, and websites (http://www.ashastd.org or http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv). Attempts should be made to convey the following key messages: * Genital HPV infection is common among sexually active adults. The majority of sexually active adults will have it at some point in their lives, although the majority of them will never know because the infection usually has no symptoms and clears on its own. * Genital HPV infection is usually sexually transmitted. The incubation period (i.e., the interval between initial exposure and established infection or disease) is variable, and determining the timing and source of infection is frequently difficult. Within ongoing sexual relationships, sex partners usually are infected by the time of the patient’s diagnosis, although they might have no symptoms or signs of infection. * No recommended uses of the HPV test to diagnose HPV infection in sex partners have been established. HPV infection is commonly transmitted to partners but usually goes away on its own.>> Genital Warts * Genital warts are caused by specific types of HPV infection. The types that cause genital warts are different from the types that cause cervical and other anogenital cancers. * Persons can possibly have infection with the types of HPV that cause genital warts but never develop symptoms. Why some persons with genital HPV infection develop warts and others do not is unclear. Immunity probably plays a key role. * The natural history of genital warts is usually benign, but recurrence of genital warts within the first several months after treatment is common. Treatment for genital warts can reduce HPV infection, but whether the treatment results in a reduction in risk for transmission of HPV to sex partners is unclear. The duration of infectivity after wart treatment is unknown. * Condoms might reduce the risk for HPV-associated diseases (e.g., genital warts and cervical cancer). Consistent condom use also may reduce the risk for genital HPV (18). HPV infection can occur in areas that are not covered or protected by a condom (e.g., scrotum, vulva, or perianus). * The presence of genital warts is not an indication for HPV testing, a change in the frequency of Pap tests, or cervical colposcopy. * HPV testing is not indicated for partners of persons with genital warts. >>
-- Pat Sonnenstuhl, CNM, CHT
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