ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS USE CONDOMS!!! I have cervical dysplasia from not using condoms and have had to have surgery from it. As far as I know there is no way to test men for HPV when they do not have any symptoms. The partner I got it from did not have any physical symptoms, remember you can be a carrier and not know it. Now my risk for cancer is much higher than someone who has not tested positve. Please learn from my mistakes.

It is NOT TRUE that you have HPV forever once you get it. It is not like getting chicken pox, where the virus stays in your system once the symptoms go away! HPV is more like a flu virus, in that you can get it, and then it can go away (although it generally takes months, not days, to disappear). While it is true that some people do not ever get rid of the virus, many people DO have immune systems that destroy the virus completely. I am a sexual health educator, and have also had this happen to me. HPV is not forever, at least not for everyone.

Spincyle10 - I was told by my gynecologist that there is NO CURE for HPV and found the same info on this website.

"There is currently no cure for HPV infection. Once an individual is infected, he or she carries the virus for life, even if genital warts are removed."

Do you have different info? I'd love to know if you do...

I agree with Spincyle20, I was diagnosed one time like 5 years ago and then it never came up again on my tests, but I was still worried then last time my doctor told me that it is normal and that my system problably destroyed it:)

Yes, carito - the warts will go away, some on their own, and some with treatment, but unfortunately, once you get the virus, you carry it for life.

I never developed the warts Fit.

Also, Gardasil is a vaccine you can get that MAY help prevent certain strains of the HPV virus, so it MAY prevent genital warts and cervical cancer.

Although this vaccine is recommended for women between 11 and 26 years old, any woman can get the vaccine if they think they are at risk for contracting HPV (even if you are over 26).

That's true - sometimes people DON'T develop the actual warts, or they are way up inside your vagina, and you can't see them.

You can get HPV from oral sex too.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11819-oral-sex-can-cause-throat-ca...

That's true Jatie - that's why using condoms during sex isn't 100% effective - the virus can be transmitted through other areas that are NOT covered by a condom.

Hey all, according to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY:

"HPV is spread through sex and it can cause an infection in the cervix. The infection usually doesn't last very long because your body is able to fight the infection. If the HPV doesn’t go away, the virus may cause cervix cells to change and become precancer cells. "

you can read more at www.cancer.org. I was diagnosed with HPV two years ago, and have had my doctor tell me now that HPV is no longer showing up in my Pap tests, for the last two tests.

i've read several reports, including the one Spincycle linked to that said the same thing. While my doctor told me you can never get rid of HPV, one of my friends' doctors told her that your body can destroy it. Another friend's cousin had it for a while, but her paps have been clear ever since. When I told my doctor that, he said there isn't a lot of empirical data that backs either stance, but his is that it's forever.

There are over 100 strains of HPV (according to the CDC) and the vaccination, i've been told, only protects against 4. I think that's why the data is so mixed; because different strains act differently (some are high-risk and others are low-risk, in terms of cancer). Also, my doctor told me that you can get HPV even using a condom and your body can carry the virus for extended amounts of time without you ever showing symptoms. Needless to say, I know a lot of women who have been affected by it.

I just completed a research paper on this topic, and, yes, it's true- in most cases your own body will take care of the HPV virus on its own. Contracting HPV at any point in your life still puts you at risk for cervical cancer-maybe thats why fitsugar's doctor told her the virus doesn't go away, becasue the risks never go away. And here's the bad news- you may have had HPV in the past and didn't know it and your body fought off the infection. You will never know if you had HPV because the test can only give you information about current infections, not past ones- which makes getting the vaccine not as effective as most people think (because it only helps prevent, not treat HPV).

This is from www.cancer.gov

Should the vaccine be given to people who are already infected with HPV?
The preventive vaccines currently under study do not treat infections, although they have been found to be generally safe when given to women who are already infected with HPV. It is not feasible to prescreen all women to see who has been exposed to the HPV types in the vaccines. At present, there is no generally available test to tell whether an individual has been exposed to HPV. The currently approved test only shows whether a woman has a current HPV infection and identifies the HPV type. It does not provide information on past infections. The decision to vaccinate or not, based on likelihood of prior exposure to these HPV types, is being discussed by ACIP and other advisory groups.

For all of you that say it can go away it doesn't. The symptoms ie the genital warts will go away and may never return but you can still pass on the virus to other people. I have had HPV for 10 years I am very healthy and I still have the disease. It is very important to get this taken care of if you see symptoms or think you may have contracted the disease so make sure you see a doctor fast to get all the information you can and get the warts cleared up before you pass it on to another unsuspecting person. If you have no insurance or don't want to tell your partner or parents there are tons of free clinics out there that will keep your info private. Heres a good list. http://yourstdhelp.com/free_clinic_locator.html
Get it cleared up especially you women make sure you get your paps every year.

not all types of hpv are accompanied by warts; genital warts are the result of only a few strains. a few years ago, a friend of mine had her pap come back abnormal, her gyno found precancerous cells, she went through the whole colposcopy and now, after her 2nd 'check up' has been told she no longer has hpv.

the virus is still in her body, like when she had chicken pox as a child, but she will no longer pass it along.

I have HPV in the form of genital warts, they are exterior luckily and so tiny and unnoticeable that my doctor can only just feel them, yet can treat them easily. I have always practiced safe sex so I am absolutely gutted that I have contracted it. I've abstained for a year, avoided even letting a guy move his hand in the general direction of 'down there'. However, at what point would it be safe (in the broader sense) to start having sex again? I've met someone new and would not know how to even go about telling him. Also I am now paranoid about letting anyone touch down there in case they get the infection on their fingers, orally, or pass it on elsewhere - should I be this concerned? Would love some advice please!

You may have to become a Nun

im 20 years old and tuesday i was diagnosed with genital warts. through unprotected sex and a dishonest relationship, my life is now changed forever. regardless if this is not the most severe STI or STD out there to contract, my spirits and "womanhood" have been snatched because of neglect and selfishness. so right now i just want to put out there that using the excuse of it could've been worst isn't flying right with me...
my point of posting this was to vent and maybe gain more knowledge on the subject. i've been researching and there is nothing concrete on this topic. a debate between the comments posted has led to a greater confusion as to wether GW is like GH *genital herpes -- in the sense of lying dormant after an outbreak is treated and if it is wiped from your system completely?! ... please give me some reassurance that everything will be ok, i don't want to carry a disclaimer and have to warn every future man i encounter with "i've had or have genital warts" if i have to i will, but i hope its something i can treat and be done with... GIVE ME THE BLUNT TRUTH, do not sugar coat anything, i need it cut and dry.

thank you!