HPV transmission without sexual contact.

Resolved question:

Hi doctor, I am a 42 years old female. I am married about 20 years ago and I live with my husband since then. Both of us were loyal to each other and have not had sex with anyone else, and that’s for sure. But I was recently found to have some issue in cervix, due to HPV infection. I came to know that HPV infection is a sexually transmitted infection and is incurable. But how is it possible for us to contract with HPV, as we haven’t had sex with anyone else? I am infected with type 70 of the virus and don’t know whether it is serious or not. Please help me with this.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Community

Expert:  Dr. Cecelia J. Russ replied 4 Days.

As you told, cervical cancer and related issues are caused by HPV infections. HPVs are of more than 70 types and are usually seen transmitted through sexual contact. But in contrary to the popular belief, it is spread through skin to skin contact with one having genital warts or particularly HPV infection. It happens when HPV virus from superficial cells of an infected person gets into a non-infected person. Usually, wart caused by infection is seen decanting by course of time. So, ultimately, sexual contact is not absolutely necessary for a spread. But it is yet to be discovered, how long the virus can live in non-living surfaces of skin and on other media. Treatments are available and you may consider getting some, if the warts are not disappearing even after a year. Take care. 

Ask Your Own Medical Question >

Users who read this, also read: