I Have High Risk HPV. Is There Any Treatment For High Risk HPV?

Posted on Sun, 1 Jul 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 1 Jul 2012 Answered on

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have high risk HPV . I have no symptoms. I had been told that high risk HPV is not the kind that causes warts. So when is it safe to have sex. Is there any treatment for high risk hpv

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (6 hours later)

Hello,
High risk HPV needs to be followed up regularly.You need to get a PAP smear test done yearly.You can of course,have sex but with barrier contraception like condoms.High risk HPV has a tendency to cause cervical cancer so you need to have regular check ups done.There is no permanent cure and treatment.The virus remains in the body lifelong but may or may not progress to cause cancer.To avoid that,regular tests are needed.Safe sex is recommended.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (21 hours later)

But is it true that high risk HPV does not cause warts. Does it cause cancer in men if the get it

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (7 hours later)

It may cause warts but the risk is much much lower.Studies show that it has a higher risk for cancer.In men,the infection may be transmitted but risk of cancer is lower than women.Hence safe sex is recommended.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (11 hours later)

will i have to use condoms the rest of my life. will it never be safe without them

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (19 hours later)

Since you will have the dormant disease always,risk of transmission is always there.It would be advisable to use condoms.Discussing this with your partner will be helpful.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar