Is HPV super common?
I'm a little surprised to find out that a couple close friends of mine have been diagnosed with HPV (neither of them have the outbreaks though). Both of them have always been in long term relationships, not sleeping around. I forget which strains they have though - my one friend said hers was a high risk strain and she is just very upset about this. I've already scheduled an appt. to see my gyn to get tested as well, but I'll admit that I'm nervous. With my friend who has the high strain, she has to go back for a follow up in a few months and she's afraid to tell her boyfriend for fear that she'll think poorly of her. What does all this mean though - high risk strains, etc. She also told me that even though she doesn't have the herpes, that if she were to have a baby, they probably wouldn't do a vaginal birth because there is a possibility that she can pass it on to the baby.
kittykat78
Replies:
It is estimated that more than half the population of industrial nations are carriers of HPV. There are about 100 different strains of HPV and most of them seem to do nothing. There are four strains that are linked to cervical cancer. Although not all women who are infected develop cervical cancer and not all cervical cancer is caused by these four strains, the statistical relationship is very strong.
The chances are that with very few, but more than one, unprotected sex partners, we will each contract HPV. During our younger years, our own immune systems will defeat the HPV. By about thirty, we no longer fight it off. The result may be cervical cancer - many years later.
You switch topics from HPV to herpes. That is an entirely different topic. Herpes virus also come in various strains; some are simply cold sores and some are the genital herpes classified as a sexually transmitted disease.
While you are seeing your doctor, try to get this straightened out in your own mind. HPV is NOT herpes. It would be very rare to transmit HPV to a child through vaginal birth. Herpes is another issue.
Your confusion is causing you unnecessary concern. Get educated.
Brandye
aren't there two types of hpv though? the one linked to cervical cancer and the other is just the genital warts?
kittykat78
Reread my post. HPV and Herpes are different families of virus. There are about a hundred HPV variants and a couple dozen herpes.
Your original post shows a confusion between the two families. HPV is linked to cervical cancer; herpes to genital warts.
I shall not reproduce a text book here. There are complete sites (many) on each of the families of virus.
Brandye