HPV - help me navigate this...mention or not?

[Startingagainandagain]

I had a smear test two weeks ago which thankfully came back negative for HPV

But about 3 years ago I was sexually assaulted & developed 2 genital warts soon afterwards. They disappeared quickly after treatment from the sexual health clinic that supported me after the assault and have not reappeared since.

I have not had sex since the assault the assault but I am in a place where I am thinking of dating again.

Not sure how to navigate this.

It seems the HPV virus that caused the warts was either cleared by my body or remains dormant.

Should I mention it to a potential partner, although of course I would only be having protected sex?

Thoughts?

Would you expect a potential new partner to disclose to you if they have had potentially had anything similar?

But what is there to disclose at this point?

It is common for the body's immune system to get rid of the HPV infection that causes warts naturally within two years.

It has been almost 4 years now so it is likely that this is what happened.

And I would not expect anyone to disclose that they have been sexually assaulted either...

Then I think you have answered your own question

You don’t have to, but I think it’s morally the right thing to do as you’re aware. You could pass it on so the person should be to choose.

Medical advice is not to.

Could you put a link to that please?

Was told to me orally by a consultant gynaecologist.

Aren’t genital warts different from herpes. Herpes give you sore blisters and genital warts are just that.

Was told to me orally by a consultant gynaecologist.

Its very strange for a medical professional to advise you not to. It’s not something that has to be disclosed which may be what they meant. It’s your choice, but I’d be pissed off of something like this was deliberately hidden from me. Be honest and give the person some control over their sexual health.

Who said anything about herpes? I think you're confusing HPV with HSV.

This is correct. Medical advice is that you don't have to tell partners.

HPV is passed skin to skin. It is not an STI. Condoms and dental dams can lessen the risk of transmission but you can still pass it on even if you use protection. Most people will have HPV at some stage in their life and usually have no symptoms, although it can lead to genital warts and cancer including throat, rectal and penile cancers. There is no treatment for HPV. The body's immune system usually clears it within a couple of years. There is no male test for HPV.

School children are routinely vaccinated against HPV and I seem to recall adults can get the vaccine on the nhs up to age 25..?

This is correct. Medical advice is that you don't have to tell partners.

No, it’s not correct that you’re advised ‘not to tell’ partners.

You don’t have to tell them, but that’s not the same as saying medical advice is ‘not to tell them’.

That was the advice I was given when they thought I had it (I didn't).

@LostInPoetry is correct. A medical professional should never tell you not to tell anyone. They don’t get involved in relationships in that way. You will be advised that you don’t have to disclose which is different.