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Avatar universal

Am I an HPV carrier?

Good day,

I have read through much information about sexually transmitted versions of HPV, but I am still unclear about some things.

During the pregnancy of our 3rd child, my wife was tested positive for having HPV, the type that is associated with increased cervical cancer risk. This has caused us great pain in our marriage in that she strongly suspects that I have had sexual encounter(s) outside of our marriage.

Our history:

Prior to marriage, I have had 3 sexual partners. I'm not exactly sure about her, but I think it is approximately the same.

I have had no outside encounters since we have been married. I have no reason to think that she has either.

The third pregnancy was 13 years into our marriage. Apparently, it was not present (or detected at least) for the first two pregnancies.

Is it possible that one of us has been carrying this virus for all of that time? Will I always be a carrier for this?

Another related question, if that's ok.

She recently informed me of another STD she was treated for in the first 2-4 years of our marriage. Chlamydia, I think she called it. At the time she was treated for it, she told me it was a yeast infection and her doctor had prescribed medicine for me to take also so I wouldn't give it back to her. Now she tells me it was actually chlamydia and claims I gave her that also. I don't deny that I could have given that to her (although to my recollection I didn't show any symptoms of anything).

Could one of us have carried that one for a few years? Is it possible to get it other than through sex?

Thanks in advance.

3 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HPV testing is not a routine part of pregnancy evaluation.

Hope all goes well.  EWH

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do not know the circumstances of her HPV testing, other than it was discovered during whatever tests they run when women are pregnant. She is still very worried about the increased risk for cervical cancer because of it.

As for the chlamydia infection, she apparently did know at the time, but told me something different although she may have said at the time it was a UTI, not a yeast infection. It's been many years since then and my memory of it is not so clear. All I really remember is that she had some kind of infection and her doctor gave me a prescription as well.

Thanks for your answers.
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  I'll try to help.  Sadly, all too often people assume that the diagnosis of HPV is an indicator of recent infidelity.  That is not the case.  For better or worse, at present HPV is a "fact of life" and most people have it or will have it at some point in the future.  HPV is the most commonly acquired STD.  Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives.  The figure for men is less well studied but similar.  The infections can be present for long periods without symptoms and can lead to PAP smear abnormalities years after infection is acquired.  Your note is not clear on the circumstances of her HPV test- did she have an abnormal PAP smear?  If so, HPV testing is recommended in these situation as it helps to guide further care but it may reflect an infection which has been present for many years.  On the other hand, if she just had an HPV test without an abnormal PAP smear, the result tell you little.  Routine HPV testing in the absence of an abnormal PAP smear is not recommended as the results do not help clinical management.  either way, there is no reason to think that a positive test for HPV indicates a recent infection.

As for chlamydia, this too is an STD which can be present without symptoms, occasionally for long periods of time.  Routine testing of asymptomatic women under the age is recommended.  Chlamydia infections can persist asymptomatic for some time as well.  I must point out however that it is likely that your wife knew that she had an STD at the time of her diagnosis.  Treatment of partners is recommended for sex partners of persons with chlamydia. It is not recommended for yeast infections and the antibiotics used are entirely different.   I find myself wondering why, if she thought you had given it to her, she did not raise the issue with you at the time you were treated.  

HPV can be transmitted by means other than sex although sex is the predominant means.  On the other hand, chlamydia is only transmitted from person to person through sex.  

I hope this information is helpful.   EWH
Helpful - 0

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