You can have HPV for a long time without ever knowing it. HPV can stay in the body for 10-20 years. Finding out you have HPV doesn't mean you or your partner have been unfaithful. It's your decision whether or not to tell your partner you have HPV.
Unlike other STIs, there is no treatment for HPV, so it is not necessary to disclose HPV to current or previous sexual partners.
High-risk HPV infections that persist can cause cancer: Sometimes HPV infections are not successfully controlled by your immune system. When a high-risk HPV infection persists for many years, it can lead to cell changes that, if untreated, may get worse over time and become cancer.
Do I need to tell my partner? This is entirely your decision. Most men and women with HPV infection carry the infection without ever being aware of it. HPV infection does not need to be treated and in 95% cases, you would get rid of it through your immunity.
Genital warts or cervical cells can be removed if needed, but this doesn't eliminate the virus from your system. And you'll never know who gave the infection to whom. So, while I recommend honesty in all things sexual, you can be forgiven for not talking to your partner about your HPV infection.
Should a person stop dating if they have HPV? A person can continue to date if they have HPV. If people know they have HPV, they may want to date a person for a while before engaging in sexual activity. This can give people the chance to get to know one another better before discussing HPV.
A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that's linked to cervical cancer. It doesn't mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it's a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future.
Those who said they were depressed or believed they had high levels of stress also still had an active HPV infection. HPV usually clears up on its own, but this study is really the first to indicate a link between stress and persistent HPV infection.
“Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of new HPV infections, including those with high-risk types, clear or become undetectable within two years, and clearance usually occurs in the first six months after infection,” says the CDC.
HPV infection can cause genital warts in some people. If your partner has HPV or genital warts, it's possible for them to pass it on to you, especially if you have unprotected sex. However, you can limit your chance of infection by getting the HPV vaccine and practicing safer sex with barriers.
If someone is aware that he or she is infected with HPV, he or she is required to tell any possible sexual partner of his or her infection status before engaging in intimate contact.
More than 90 percent of sexually active men and 80 percent of sexually active women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Around 50 percent of HPV infections involve certain high-risk types of HPV, which can cause cancer.
Cervical cell changes happen slowly. It can take many years for cells infected with HPV to develop into cervical cancer. We have great tools to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer.
"Having HPV is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. 8 in 10 people will have HPV in their lifetime. In most people the immune system will get rid of the virus without it causing any problems." If you have questions or concerns about your HPV diagnosis, speak with a trusted healthcare professional.
If you've been diagnosed with HPV, you can still lead a relatively normal life. However, you need to protect yourself and any other sexual partners you have as you do so: Use condoms: Using condoms when having sex is essential to reduce the risk of transmitting HPV.
Intercourse, including anal, vaginal-penile and vaginal-vaginal. Genital touching (skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation). Giving oral sex to someone who has HPV or genital warts. Receiving oral sex from someone who has HPV or who has genital warts on their mouth, lips or tongue.
If you still have HPV after 3 years, you may need to have a colposcopy. You'll be asked to have a colposcopy. Information: HPV is a common virus and most people will get it at some point.
Higher risk: Your test results show either HPV infection with types 16 and/or 18, high grade cell changes on your cervix, or persistent infection with one of the other high-risk HPV types (not 16/18). It is important that you have a further follow-up because you may be at a high risk of developing cervical cancer.
High-Risk and Low-Risk HPV Types
Most people who become infected with HPV do not know they have it. Usually, the body's immune system gets rid of the HPV infection naturally within two years. This is true of both oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPV types.
The strains of HPV found in the mouth are almost exclusively transmitted through sexual contact, so oral sex is likely to be the cause. If you have unprotected oral sex with someone who has HPV, there's a chance they will pass the virus onto you.
Also there would be no risk of getting HPV from hugging and kissing someone if they just have HPV on the genitals as you would need direct contact with the area for there to be a risk for example oral, vaginal or anal sex.
While HPV doesn't come back after clearing completely, it's difficult to know if an infection has actually been resolved or is simply dormant. Additionally, while you're unlikely to be reinfected with the exact same type of HPV, you can be infected with another strain.
Having HPV does not mean that a person or their partner is having sex outside the current relationship. There is no treatment to eliminate HPV itself. HPV is usually dealt with by your body's immune system. HPV does not stop you having a normal sex life. There are tests for HPV.