New HPV infection

[sindiktas]

Hello, everyone. I've decided to do a test for HPV and it came back positive for type 18. What does this mean to me? The doctor's appointment is not soon. I'd just like to know how this will affect my sex life and the future generally.

[viking8x6]

Here's a decent article on it: https://www.everydayhealth.com/hpv/what-are-hpv-16-18/

It's unlikely to affect your sex life appreciably, as nearly everyone either has HPV or has been vaccinated.

It does increase your risk of cancer (anal or penile) and it's probably a good idea to monitor that, which you can do by getting a pap smear periodically.

[verscumdump94]

How do you know which type?

[sindiktas]

4 hours ago, verscumdump94 said:

How do you know which type?

The clinic told me

[rawfuckr]

On 5/10/2023 at 5:23 PM, sindiktas said:

Hello, everyone. I've decided to do a test for HPV and it came back positive for type 18. What does this mean to me? The doctor's appointment is not soon. I'd just like to know how this will affect my sex life and the future generally.

Essentially all gay men are HPV positive for one type or another. 16 and 18 are high risk types, AKA 'oncogenic'. Most of the time it resolves on its own but for gay men who get fucked raw it's good you get an anal pap smear regularly to see if the infection is sticking a long time. Can take years to clear. If pap is abnormal you should be refered to get a High Resolustion Anascopy (HRA) done where they can take a much better look at what's going on, and zap areas of concern. If left alone for a long long time this can turn into anal cancer.

If you can get the HPV vaccine, get it. The idea that  "if you've already got HPV vax won't help" it's complete and utter nonsense. While it's true that for an ongoing infection vax won't do anything, it will prevent new ones on other sites, minimizing your chances of turning into cancer. 

BTW is HPV turning into a real pandemic, specially in the straight world where most men will get it from pussy eating activities (sorry?) Tragically there's a completely effective vaccine, but due to political and economical factors uptake is not enough to stop it.

[rawfuckr]

On 5/11/2023 at 1:58 PM, verscumdump94 said:

How do you know which type?

They do a PCR of your swabbed area and test can pick up what HPV variants you have. Mostly they are interested in knowing if you have 16,18.. the high risk types for cancer. 

[ellentonboy]

Unfortunately i have had three outpatient procedures for HPV, it has not been a fun journey.  The first was to repair a fissure, but the second surgeon told me no, it was actually HPV.   I have to go every six months, and if I am having problems in that area sometimes they can treat it with a compound ointment, if not, she has had to go in and remove them surgically.  I never knew there was a vaccine for HPV, and I happened to get it in one of the most painful areas possible.  At this point in my life, they can make me "comfortable", but it will always be there.  Fissures and HPV can ruin, or rather curtail, your sex life depending on what your interests are.  

I watch TV at night and see how you can now be vaccinated against HPV, but there is that disclaimer at the bottom of the screen saying it does not cure HPV and they want people 45 and under to consider getting vaccinated.  I have always been pro-active about my health and had I known there was a vaccine, I would have taken it.  My infectious disease specialist never mentioned it to me.  I suppose I should have done my homework but I never really heard much about HPV until 2020.  By that time I was already infected.

So, all you guys out there who are not vaccinated, please get the situation taken care of.  Get vaccinated.  One less thing to worry about if you get it done early.....

[UKFFBBBtm]

I was offered free vaccination course from my local GUM clinic in the UK, its either 2 or 3 jabs a couple months apart. 

HPV is linked to the following cancers:

Penile, Anal, Cervical, Vaginal, Vulval, and some types of head and neck cancer.

I urge everyone to get vaccinated if you can. 

 

[VersGuyAnon]

2 hours ago, UKFFBBBtm said:

I was offered free vaccination course from my local GUM clinic in the UK, its either 2 or 3 jabs a couple months apart. 

HPV is linked to the following cancers:

Penile, Anal, Cervical, Vaginal, Vulval, and some types of head and neck cancer.

I urge everyone to get vaccinated if you can. 

 

You can't get it over a certain age, even if you ask for it

[UKFFBBBtm]

3 minutes ago, VersGuyAnon said:

You can't get it over a certain age, even if you ask for it

That's what I thought, but my 53 year old husband was offered it last time we went for a check up, where as before it was only up to 40 odd, so I think some clinics are relaxing restrictions 

[onlyraw]

The main thing is to make sure you have a good primary care physician that

a) knows their stuff

b) that you can be very open and honest with about who you are and what “risky” behaviors you may have 

I have hpv - have had it for a long time - and was one of the first at my clinic to get an anal Pap smear- every so often it comes back “abnormal” and I have to go to the specialist- who puts in the speculum and sends her camera in and then takes biopsies of anything that looks suspicious (not exactly fun but not that painful) and I keep going back to her every 6months until I get the “all clear”  - which I did my last visit 

so at my annual in July I will go back to  getting Pap smears until that comes back “abnormal” - then I’ll go back to tge specialist 

Rinse and repeat- as the say

Hopefully- the specialist will catch anything before it gets out of control- I gather that it is not considered to be too fast growing a cancer- so long as you get it in time 

just another reason I am so grateful to live in Boston- where we have Fenway Health (a community health center specializing in Gay and Lesbian health) and all the specialty drs in the city 

so OP - sorry- long preamble to

if you trust your drs - if they are not suddenly bringing you in for a follow up tomorrow- having to wait for your next appointment is probably a good sign 

but just make sure to follow up and be vigilant 

Good luck 

 

[sindiktas]

Thank you for your answers. A couple of more questions. Will I able to continue barebacking? Will I have to disclose my status every time?

[UKFFBBBtm]

1 hour ago, sindiktas said:

Thank you for your answers. A couple of more questions. Will I able to continue barebacking? Will I have to disclose my status every time?

Honestly, only the clinic or doctor will be able to advise that and the risk it poses to others.