How Is HPV Infection Transmitted?
I have some questions about HPV high risk transmission.
I had a long term relationship with a woman in 40s. Back in 2012, she had abnormal pap high risk HPV. She cleared with procedure after 1.5 yrs. Since then we parted with a unrelated reason. I recently met another woman in her early 40s. So far we involved in deep kissing and dry humming with underwear on. She recently insists intercourse. I always been careful not to expose my genital skin to her, don't want to spread to her. I actually had thought that I wouldn't have sex with any one again. Anyways here are my questions:
1. One time I put my condom on but it was the wrong way (outside in) so top part of the condom touched my penis head. I removed and rolled in the correct side. I then used paper towel padded on the condom top part where it touched my penis for few seconds to dry it out. She then gave me an oral with the condom for a miute. I then padded with paper towel again for few seconds. She then proceeded on top and intercourse with condom on and my underwear on. What is the chance she could be infected with HPV (having my penis head touched the condom, then entered her through intercourse as described?
2. One other time, we were dry humming, and she gave me a hand job until I came inside my underwear. Soon after that she washed her hands with shower head running water. She then sat down for couple minutes in sauna (waiting for me to take a shower). After I did, she went in the showertook and used her hands reached down and cleaned her genital with shower head running water. What is a chance she could be infected that way?
Thank you
She is likely to be safe from HPV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood it.
HPV is usually transmitted by direct (skin-to-skin) contact with an infected sexual partner.
Even a condom is not 100 % protective against HPV infection because a condom covers only a portion of shaft of penis and therefore leaves a lot of adjacent genital skin exposed for contact i.e pubic region and base of shaft of penis.
However, considering that you had your underwear on therefore there would have been minimal if any direct skin to skin contact.
Regarding the risk of acquiring HPV the way you describe i,e from reversing a condom... it is entirely a theoretical risk and i personally don't think it is actually a risk.
The chances of her catching HPV from touching herself while cleaning her genitals are nil as she already washed her hand before touching her genitals.
Moreover, these possibilities only arise if you are HPV positive.
Most of the times body's own immunity takes care of the infection and most of the infected individuals are free of infection after 1-2 years when they first got it.
Your past sexual contacts were back in 2012 and therefore it is very likely that you are now free of HPV
Regards
One last question, regarding the reversing a condom. Would you say drying lubricant on the condom in few seconds could remove some of the virus? Does infection require direct skin to skin contact?
Thanks.
The risk through inanimate object is theoretical and has not been measured.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
The most common route of transmission for HPV infection is through direct/ intimate sexual contact with an infected sexual partner, however, genital HPV types can very rarely transmit indirectly through infected surfaces as well.
However, this is a hypothetical risk and has not been measured.
Human papilloma virus/ HPV can survive outside the body and does not require bodily fluids for transmission.
Regards
I understand having penis touches the condom, then condom to her is indirect, and it's theoretically possible but rare. Should this rareness warrant worry in general population? thanks.
Direct skin to skin skin contact is the way by which HPV is acquired
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Direct skin to skin contact is the most common route and indirect contact is not a worry, just a theoretical possibility.
Regards