HPV positive

granmudder · March 19

My husband had throat cancer due to HPV 16 stage 4 in 2014 he survived it but recently is having throat and sinus issues as well his taste buds seem to be going again:( … at the time we were told by the doctors that he would be unlikely have a recurrence of the same strain we also had asked if I should be tested and were assured that it likely had passed through my system … Now in our province they are sending home kits for HPV ..I tested positive for HPV 16 I had a coloposcopy and a pap which was biopsy which were both negative which is good but now I am very concerned that over the years what we were told about not worrying about it being passed back and forth that this has changed and i am very well be putting him in danger of getting it again … He is very stubborn and doesn't like to go to the doctors he was checked again about 3 years ago and had no signs.

wbcgaruss · March 20

Hello, granmudder, I hope you are doing well today.

From what I am reading about HPV many never know they have it unless they get the cancer it caused or some other condition and then the 2 are connected.

HPV is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Roughly 14 million people get the infection each year. HPV is so common that most sexually active people who aren’t vaccinated against HPV will become infected at some point in their lives. Most never know they have it.

There are many different types and strains of HPV and it is I believe getting continually more widespread over the years because of declining moral negatives. So it is very likely many people have it who don't know it and don't even know about it.

What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can affect different parts of your body. There are over 100 types of HPV, including strains of HPV that cause warts on your hands, feet and face. About 30 HPV strains can affect your genitals, including your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis and scrotum, as well as your rectum and anus. This includes the type of HPV that causes genital warts.

Consider the fact that your husband had it and got cancer because of it. If I am correct once you have it you have it and you can't get rid of it only monitor and control it so your husband still has it and always will but it is dormant now.

You have recently taken a test that shows positive for HPV so it is in your system and most likely dormant at this time. You are concerned that you may pass this to him again but since he has it I don't know that is valid.

I would say you both have the potential to pass it back and forth or not for that matter and being aware and monitoring with available tests and vaccines is the best you can do.

It may not show or be a factor in either of your lives again and just stay dormant so I would say live on, enjoy life, do the testing you can, and deal with life as it comes whether involving HPV or not.

Your long-term partner

Because HPV is common, it’s likely that both you and your partner share the same infection. It may or may not lead to cancer. You don’t need to change your sexual behavior with your long-term partner.

If your partner is female, she should have regular Pap tests.

Below are a couple links with good info for anyone interested.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus

Can I pass HPV-positive cancer to my partner?

https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/mas/article/can-i-pass-hpv-positive-cancer-to-my-partner-1609128

How does a married woman get HPV?

https://www.stdwatch.com/blog/how-does-a-married-woman-get-hpv