Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Flip

Original poster

Wrong place

16 replies

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 11:25

but Does anyone know if you can catch genital wards whilst the infected person is not having a break out ?

Everything I've read on the internet seems to indicate that if you have sexual contact with an infected person you will get it.

My wonderful DH has finally told me after 10 years together that he was treated for this prior to us being a couple. That was the only breakout he has ever had and he has had no oether symptoms.

So is it possible I have caught it and just don't know ?

OP posts:

hertsnessex · 22/12/2006 11:27

you could have caught it, but sure youd havev had a break out by now, and only caught it when he was having an attack of it.

i think genital herpes is different??.....

someone else can help mroe im sure.

DonnerDasherDancerDior · 22/12/2006 11:51

Have you had a smear in that time? If you do have gw, you have a massively increased risk of cervical cancer, so do have regular smears.

Anyway, if you are worried, go and have a check at your surgery. It is the only way to be sure.

Molesworth · 22/12/2006 11:54

You may well have caught the virus that causes genital warts - many people with the virus never have any symptoms!

Also gw aren't caused by a single virus - there are a number of different strains of the virus, not all of which are linked to cervical cancer.

I did read somewhere that the virus does not increase the chance of cervical cancer but increases the chance of an abnormal smear, so although I'm not sure if this is true or not, please don't panic. I'd make an appointment at your local GUM clinic in the new year and have a thorough check

Original poster

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 12:05

I spoke to the GUM clinic at the time when he told me, and they have said that unless I have a break out they can't tell me, I asked for a blood test and was advised that anyone who has had a cold sore would test positive so it wouldn't be conclusive.

OP posts:

Original poster

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 12:06

oh and I do have regular smears, always have had, last one was clear.

OP posts:

Molesworth · 22/12/2006 12:06

That's strange, as cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, not the wart virus!

Original poster

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 12:11

maybe I've had duff advice then.

I'm not sleeping with anyone else and have no intention of doing so - so apart from regular smears and being vigilant about breakouts wither from him or me - is there anything I really need to worry about

of course not getting into why it took him 10 bloody years to tell me

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 22/12/2006 12:13

You absolutely aren't guaranteed to catch HPV if you sleep with someone who has warts. But as far as I know, the only test is to actually look for warts, and then check they're warts (by putting white vinegar on them - they go all pasty).

One of my exes had really really nasty warts that took ages to grow, and ages and lots of interventions to get rid of. We had lots of unprotected sex before he was diagnosed with them. I have never had a wart.

notasheep · 22/12/2006 12:13

if your smears are clear then no need to worry

Original poster

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 12:18

NQC have you then gone on to tell new partners that you had an ex who had them, or is it safe to assume that if you havne't had a breakout then you can't pass it on ?

not casting aspertions - just a genuine question

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 22/12/2006 12:19

I have told new partners, yes. I'm quite strict about these things.

AFAIK, I've not passed it on to anyone, though.

To be fair, anyway, the rate of HPV in people in their 30s who aren't nuns is something like 30% or higher. It's endemic, to put it mildly. And have said as much to new partners, too.

Original poster

elfsmum · 22/12/2006 12:27

thanks for your advice. I've dealt with the fact that he outright lied to me when I asked him at the begining of our relationship, just every so often now I wonder if I could have it.

merry Christmas everyone

OP posts:

DetentionGrrrl · 22/12/2006 12:48

I had them in my teens- they've never reoccured, and after all this time, your chances are very, very small.

NotQuiteCockney · 22/12/2006 13:49

If you have a bump that you are worried about, firstly, it's worth knowing that warts don't hurt. If a bump hurts, it's more likely to be a pimple or an ingrown hair.

If you want to check if a bump could be a wart, apply a tiny bit of white vinegar. This doesn't hurt at all (although it seems like it might), and if the bump is a wart, it will go pasty white. The effect is unmistakable.

And as of 10 years ago, when I had a colposcopy, this is how medics check for warts, anyway.

DonnerDasherDancerDior · 23/12/2006 12:12

And, protected sex doesn't stop you getting them anyway. They aren't always on the penis, so anywhere where the skin rubs can be 'contagious'.

Anyway, just keep checking. It is likely that you would have noticed them by now if you had them. Also, a high proportion of people have them apparently. I can't remmber the figure, but I was surprised when I heard how high it was.

Glassofwine · 23/12/2006 12:17

My first h had them and herpes - nice - he also didn't tell me untill he got an outbreak and even then didn't say what it was, only after I questioned him did he tell. I could have killed him. When he had the outbreak his gp suggested I get checked, which i did and nothing - we've been divorced for 8 years and I've never had any problems.

Flip