Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
Papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. But in the event of a positive HPV test, how to react? Is it necessary to warn his partner? The response of Eric Caumes, infectious disease specialist.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common STIs: nearly 80% of people (men or women) will be infected with the virus during their lifetime. But when a smear reveals a positive HPV, many questions arise. How to protect your partner? Should I stop all sexual intercourse? The answers of Pr Eric Caumes, infectiologist.
In the event of a positive test, abstinence is recommended.
The vast majority of HPV infections are silent. A person can therefore be infected with the virus without knowing it, or showing any signs of infection.
“HPV infection is almost obligatory, or at least very common. There are approximately 200 types of human papillomaviruses in nature. The good news is that usually the body manages to eliminate the infection on its own: we get rid of it on our own in about 95% of cases”says the doctor.
This does not prevent you from adopting the right attitude and preventing your partner from said infection.
“As a doctor, that’s a non-topic. Of course, you must warn your partner in the event of a positive test or apparent lesions.“, reveals Eric Caumes.
The papillomavirus infection can indeed manifest itself by itching, bleeding or even small warts on the genitals or the anus. These symptoms may appear months or even years after infection.
As for sexual intercourse, the infectiologist unsurprisingly recommends abstinence.
“The rule when you have an STI is to break the chains of transmission. We must therefore abstain, as long as we do not know more.”
As for treatments, they can be chemical (immune modulation) or physical (surgery, laser, etc.).
But before that, vaccination should be considered.
“Vaccination protects against human papillomaviruses causing cancer of the uterus, throat or anus”says the doctor.
The latest marketed vaccine (Gardasil 9) indeed protects against HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 infections, particularly involved in 90% of cancers of the cervix, 80% of cancers of the anus and 90% of ano-genital warts.