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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think genital warts don't reappear after 20 yrs

38 replies

mugcupwhatever · 31/08/2021 08:18

Husband has a genital wart. Been with him nearly 20 years, never seen it before.
He said he first had it few years before he met me in his early 20s, got it sorted out at a sexual health clinic, and every now and again a little spot has appear on the site and he never thought much of it.

Am I being taken for a ride here. Never heard a wart reappear after 20 years. Is this even possible. He swears he hasn't cheated on me. Should I just pack my bags now? WWYD?

OP posts:
SheABitSpicyToday · 31/08/2021 08:19

Yes, the virus never goes away. A dip in his immune system can cause a flare up.

Miniroofbox · 31/08/2021 08:20

They definitely can do if he’s run down

DontBeAHaterDear · 31/08/2021 08:21

A quick google says they can come back once you’ve had/got the virus in your body.

Twinkie01 · 31/08/2021 08:21

It's a virus that lies dormant in your system and can reappear at any time.

You need to make sure you go for regular smears as HPV is a cause of cervical cancer.

LemonViolet · 31/08/2021 08:21

It’s a herpes virus, exactly like a cold sore. You never clear the virus just the symptoms. They can flare randomly whenever your immune system fails to keep on top of it.

Lockheart · 31/08/2021 08:22

A quick Google would have told you that the virus which causes them (HPV - warts are a symptom of the virus, not the infection itself) can stay in your system pretty much permanently, which can cause outbreaks for the rest of your life even if you never have sex again.

PotteringAlong · 31/08/2021 08:23

If he’s had spots on the site now and then then it’s not been a virus that was dormant for 20 years either. It’s obviously been around throughout your marriage

ArabellaStrange · 31/08/2021 08:23

I had a reoccurrence after ten years when pregnant so yes they can come back.
If you are worried go for a full screen at your local sexual health clinic.

violetbunny · 31/08/2021 08:23

This explains that they can come back:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/

LemonViolet · 31/08/2021 08:24

Sorry it’s not herpes it’s papillomavirus 🤦🏻‍♀️ early morning brain. Still, you can consider it in the same way. It’s not evidence he’s cheating, it’s evidence his immune system is low - stress, illness etc.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 31/08/2021 08:26

Google is your friend

AllTheCakes · 31/08/2021 08:29

I have a non genital wart that reappeared after about 10 years. It’s definitely possible.

Original poster
mugcupwhatever · 31/08/2021 08:32

Thank you ladies. I did google it and found out that it usually clears within a few years! Maybe not then?

I went for a smear test in May, and it was all fine. I am freaked out though, because he was unfaithful to me 6 years ago, and can't help but think here we go again..
He has sworn to his mother's life that he has not cheated on me again and he will never again, and he has been completely transparent with his phone, bank accounts, emails etc. ever since. I swore if he ever cheated again, I would leave. Not sure what to believe now.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 31/08/2021 08:37

The virus never 'clears'. Once you have it, its with you forever.

Ive just had an outbreak after 15 years.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 31/08/2021 08:40

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

The virus never 'clears'. Once you have it, its with you forever.

Ive just had an outbreak after 15 years.

Not true. The HPV virus can leave your body, usually after a few years. Not always though. I had verrucas between the age of 8 and 20 so a long time. Then almost overnight they vanished, never to be seen again.
KidneyBeans · 31/08/2021 08:43

@LemonViolet

It’s a herpes virus, exactly like a cold sore. You never clear the virus just the symptoms. They can flare randomly whenever your immune system fails to keep on top of it.
No it isn't. It's a papilloma virus and totally unlike a cold sore
pianolessons1 · 31/08/2021 08:47

yes absolutely can reappear from a previous infection.

DOI GP with a particular interest in sexual health, worked in a GU clinic for 8 years.

EmeraldShamrock · 31/08/2021 08:49

Yes they definitely can unfortunately.

Nosferatussidebit · 31/08/2021 08:57

I had an outbreak in pregnancy. I don't even know when I got them! The nurse said it's very common to have them once and then not for a long time. I sort of knew that but it was still a shock.

Contrary to what this thread says, your body can successfully fight the virus and get rid but it's very rare.

LaBellina · 31/08/2021 09:12

OP I think everyone here so far has told you that it’s definitely possible that the virus resurfaced and caused the wart to come back. I think the question is now do you have other reasons to suspect him of cheating? Is it just the wart or is the wart and, and etc.?

Guacamole001 · 31/08/2021 09:19

I had them age 19. Now 57 and never had them since thankfully.

QuirkyUsername · 31/08/2021 09:23

Herpes and HPV are two totally different things that pp have got confused on here.

Cold sores are "oral herpes"
www.healthline.com/health/hpv-and-herpes#symptoms

Original poster
mugcupwhatever · 31/08/2021 09:28

No other reasons to currently suspect infidelity.
It took us a long time to deal with the cheating that took place 6 years ago, and our marriage has been held together by a thread at times.
But he has gone above and beyond to assure me since then that nothing is going on. I have access to all his devices and we have moved to the other side of the country since.

OP posts:
LindaEllen · 31/08/2021 09:33

@Twinkie01

It's a virus that lies dormant in your system and can reappear at any time.

You need to make sure you go for regular smears as HPV is a cause of cervical cancer.

There are lots of different strains of HPV, though, and while regular smears are important regardless of anything else, the strains that cause warts aren't actually the ones responsible for CC.
CornishTiger · 31/08/2021 09:34

I’d be asking why he never told you he’s had it before.

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