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Is HPV Contagious?

Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016

Question: My gf tested positive for HPV high risk but she had a normal pap. She just got retested at the 6 month mark and waiting results. If negative is she contagious?

We have not had sex and since the relationship is new we dont want me to get infected. I always practiced safe sex and had partners tested.

We really like each other and are looking at options so we dont spread her infection. We heard conflicting things whether or not HPV totally goes away. I just dont want to be a carrier if we end up breaking up .

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
HPV is mostly asymptomatic

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand your concern.
Iam Dr.Srilatha gynaecologist.
Iam sorry for your condition.

HPV is a virus which is transmitted mostly by sexual route.

When one gets infected the virus persists in them permanently.

But mostly it doesn't cause any symptoms.
Only in 5-10% of cases it causes symptoms like warts,precancerous lesions etc.

So once the HPV is positive there is source of infection from them.

There are various strains of HPV.
There are vaccines available against high risk strains which cause precancerous lesions but they do not act against all the HPV strains.

That is why the prevention of HPV is doubtful.

Condom also doesn't prevent the transmission of HPV completely as the outer parts of genitalia and inner side of thighs are covered.

Kindly let me know what test she is been awaiting for?

Looking forward to hear from you.
Best regards.....Dr.Srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (17 minutes later)

Thank you for your response. She is awaiting to see if the hpv test comes back negative and if her pap is still normal. She was hoping it would either clear or go into remission where its not contagious.

A few questions,

If the test comes back negative with a normal pap is she contagious? We want to be intimate but if i dont want to be a carrier.

If i use something like a scroguard would I be safe?

Have you wver seen it go into remission and come back?

Thanks
?

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HPV DNA test is accurate

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,goodday.

I have got your query.

Here are the answers for your queries:-
1)If the test comes back negative she will not be infectious anymore.
HPV DNA test is more accurate.

2)Scrotal guard also functions same as condom and it might not prevent the transmission 100%.

3)Till now not seen the cases going into remission and coming back.

Once infected the virus remains dormant and mostly doesn't cause any sumptoms.

As I said in previous answer symptoms develop in only 5-10% of cases.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to discuss further.

Best regards.....Dr.Srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (11 minutes later)

So if the test comes back positive we should abstain from sex if i dont want to catch it?

If its negative we can have unprotected sex without fear of me catching it? Should we wait another 6 months for another negative test result?

How long does high risk usually take to clear or come up negative ?

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no specific time for clearance

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I have gone through your query.

In my opinion:-

1)Yes if the test result is negative there is no chance of contacting the infection and you can go on with intercourse.

2)If the test is positive there is chance for infection with intercourse.

3)There is no treatment for HPV infection.It goes on its own in a few people.

But the treatment is targeted towards the lesions caused by the virus like warts,precancerous lesions.

So meanwhile it is tested every 6 months or 1 year to know the status of virus.

So you can wait for another 6 months for another test if this test is positive.

Sorry is no clear cut evidence of time for the disappearance of high risk or low risk HPV.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to discuss further.

Best regards.....Dr.Srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (13 hours later)

Thanks for your answers.

Do you find that most of these infections go away and are eventually not contagious?

I like this girl a lot but if she tests positive we wont be having sex. I would be willing to date her for a while and wait if the infection clears up. Am I realistic in expecting this infection to clear and she wont be contagious?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it clears within 2 years

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I understand your concern.
I have got your query.

It has been estimated that 50% of sexually active woman and men are exposed to HPV once in there life time.

Most of the HPV infections are transient.

Even the high risk HPV types clear within a span of 6 months to 2 years .

So I suggest you to repeat the test every 6 months to ensure the clearance.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Feel free to discuss further.
Best regards....Dr.Sriltha

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar