DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 21-year-old who is sexually active with one partner who is a 21-year-old female. She was just at the gynecologist this week and informed me that she has HPV and got a PAP smear. We have been sexually active for almost two years so I am curious why this did not show up earlier on the tests if I am the one that gave it to her. If the virus was dormant (neither of us have ever had warts or any signs of HPV) would it not show up on a PAP smear? HPV doesn’t just spontaneously appear, correct? She was just in South Africa for five months and I was in the US. Could she have contracted the virus in Africa since she didn’t show signs of it before she left? I just want to be sure about whether I gave it to her or not because I want to go to the doctor if I was the one who did.
DEAR READER: HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common sexually transmitted disorder with more than 50% of sexually active individuals becoming infected at some point during their lifetimes. In many instances the body is able to eliminate the infection without treatment within one to two years of exposure. For those cases that are not naturally resolved, genital warts or cervical cancer (in women) may result. Certain types of head and neck tumors in men are now thought to be linked to HPV. (There are currently two vaccines available to girls and young women, one of which is also recommended for boys.)
Of the more than 100 different strains of the HPV virus, only 40 are transmitted genitally. Fewer than that can cause warts and still fewer may cause cervical cancer. Those strains not transmitted sexually can be acquired through skin to skin contact through a cut or abrasion and can be responsible for certain kinds of warts on the feet, hands, or even face.
HPV can be present for years without the individual knowing or before it is detected. It is not a sign of infidelity in a relationship. There is no test available for men; however, men usually don’t have any signs or symptoms. When they do occur, genital warts may appear in a minority of cases. Just because your girlfriend is newly diagnosed with HPV does not mean that she has or will develop either genital warts or cervical cancer; however, it is important that you both sit down to frankly discuss the situation. If there are trust issues present, you should also work through them either through individual or couples therapy.
In my opinion, both of you are very young. Depending on when you each became sexually active it may be possible that another sexual partner from a prior relationship was infected (likely unknowingly). Partners often share the infection, especially if protection isn’t used 100% of the time or when it isn’t used correctly.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Contraception” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
