MAKE LOVE NOT WARTS
Certainly there is nothing wrong with a little romance but are you certain you or your new crush aren't infected with human papilloma virus, pox virus or herpes virus? Before things heat up any further, read on before you decide to slip into those silk leopard pajamas.
There are several misperceptions that people have that I would like to
correct.
- "My last genital herpes outbreak was 10 years ago. I haven't had any problems since, so that means I am no longer infectious and I do not have herpes anymore."
Answer: Wrong. Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) resides in the body permanently. The reason you are not having symptoms such as painful blisters, is because your immune system has produced antibodies against the virus to keep it under control. Most people infected with HSV-2 ARE ASYMPTOMATIC and can transmit the virus. 70 % of HSV-2 is transmitted by SHEDDING IN ASYMPTOMATIC persons. Many of these people will not have recognized that they have had herpes. If one partner has genital herpes and the other does not, the risk of transmission is approximately 5-10% per year. Asymptomatic HSV-2 infection is more common in men and in people who also have HSV-1, which causes cold sores on the lips and around the mouth. The risk of a susceptible female for contracting genital HSV from an infected male is 80% after 1 sexual contact. Genital HSV infections increase the risk for acquiring human immunodefiency virus (HIV). - "Since I'm a guy, I have nothing to worry about. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is only a problem for women. If I infect my girlfriend she may get cervical cancer if it is only HPV 16 or 18."
Answer: There are more than 120 types of human papilloma virus to date. High risk HPV types are 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 58, 5, and 8. High risk HPV has been associated with tumors of the penis, anus, oral mucosa, throat, and vulva. HPV DNA has been detected in up to 30% of nonmelanoma skin cancers. The carcinogenic potential of these viruses extends beyond the genitals. HPV can infect the conjunctival lining of the eyes, 50% of anal cancers are associated with HPV. HPV has been isolated in squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the penis and vulva. Even low risk HPV such as HPV 6 has been occasionally found in penile cancers. HPV can develop in the mouth, on the lips and in the larynx. Placing fingers in body orifices that are infected with HPV can also spread infection to the finger.
Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are administering the HPV vaccine to males and females to prevent infection and spread of HPV. I suspect in several years that will be the standard of care in the United States as well. - "Now that I have been treated and the warts are gone, I don't need to worry about catching anything again because I am immune."
Answer: Although you can clear an HPV infection you can always get infected again. Also given the number of HPV types, you can also expose yourself to a different HPV virus. However, there is no evidence suggesting you are permanently infected. HPV can be cleared with treatment. - Any condom will do
Answer: No. Condoms made from sheep intestine provide no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms seem to reduce the transmission of HSV-2 for women but less so for men. Advising long term monogamous couples to use condoms when one partner develops warts seems unwarranted because viral transmission has most likely already occurred. - "If I don't have sex (as in sexual intercourse) I'm safe."
Answer: You are not paying attention! Reread answer to question 2. - HSV-1 is only in the mouth and HSV-2 is only in the genital region."
Answer: You can acquire an infection with both viruses in both locations. There is no viral law that limits the virus to only one body area. It is more common to have HSV-1 around the mouth and lips and HSV-2 in the genital area but you can get HSV-1 in the genital area and HSV-2 in your mouth. Oral sex can spread these viruses. One consolation is HSV-1 infection in the genital area tends to be less severe than HSV-2.