Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection, with over 100 types. Some types cause warts on hands, feet, or face, while around 30 types can affect the genital area. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), with approximately 14 million new infections occurring annually in the United States. Most sexually active individuals who are not vaccinated will acquire HPV at some point, often without realizing it.
How HPV Spreads and Stays Dormant
HPV is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly during sexual activity. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, as well as other close genital contact. The virus can spread even without visible warts or symptoms, and it does not require the exchange of bodily fluids for transmission to occur.
Once acquired, HPV can remain in the body in a dormant state for extended periods. This means the virus is inactive and may not cause symptoms for months, years, or even decades. During dormancy, the virus is present in cells but not actively replicating. The body’s immune system often suppresses the virus.
Reactivation from latency can occur, potentially triggered by factors such as a weakened immune system, injury, or other environmental changes. This explains how the virus can appear unexpectedly after a long period without symptoms. Most HPV infections, about 90%, clear on their own within two years due to the immune system’s response. However, some infections persist, and these high-risk types may lead to health problems like genital warts or certain cancers over time.
Why HPV Can Appear in Monogamous Relationships
An HPV diagnosis in a monogamous relationship does not automatically indicate infidelity. The primary reason is the virus’s ability to remain dormant for long periods. One or both partners could have contracted HPV from a previous relationship years ago, with the virus only recently becoming active or detectable. It is often impossible to determine precisely when or from whom the infection was acquired due to this prolonged latency.
The term “monogamous” refers to the current relationship’s fidelity, but the virus itself could have been present in one partner’s system long before the current relationship began, suppressed by the immune system for years before reactivating. Therefore, a new HPV diagnosis reflects an infection that became active, not necessarily a new acquisition within the current relationship.
Sexual partners within a relationship often share HPV types. While new partners increase the risk of new infections, detecting HPV in a long-term monogamous relationship is frequently due to the re-detection of a prior infection rather than a new one. This understanding helps alleviate misconceptions and reduce unwarranted accusations of unfaithfulness.
Navigating an HPV Diagnosis Together
Receiving an HPV diagnosis can be concerning, but open communication and understanding are important for couples. It is helpful to remember that an HPV diagnosis does not imply blame or infidelity. Instead, focus should be placed on managing the diagnosis as a team.
For individuals with a cervix, routine screening through Pap tests and HPV tests can detect abnormal cell changes or the presence of high-risk HPV types. There is currently no routine test for all HPV types in men, though visual inspection can identify warts. Some doctors may recommend anal Pap tests for men at higher risk of anal cancer.
For most people, the immune system will clear the HPV infection naturally within a couple of years. Treatment for HPV typically addresses symptoms, such as genital warts or abnormal cell changes, rather than targeting the virus itself. Maintaining a healthy immune system through diet, stress management, and exercise can support the body’s ability to clear the virus.