Is HPV like herpes?

I've just been diagnosed with hpv and did some research on it on the web. I keep reading that there is no treatment for HPV only treatment for the SYMPTOMS because your immune system gets rid of it. But it didn't say anything about the immune system getting rid of the virus itself. So what I'm asking is that is it like herpes where there's treatment for the symptoms but not the virus itself?? Am I gonna live with this 4ever????

Center for Disease Control:
"Studies have shown that 70% of new HPV infections clear within one year, as many a 91% clear within two years. The median duration of new infections is typically eight months. HPV-16 is more likely to persist that other HPV types; however most HPV-16 infections become undetecable within two years. The gradual development of an effective immune response is thought to be the likely mechanism for HPV DNA clearance."
www.cdc.gov

I was recently diagnosed with HPV so I have been doing some research. There will be negative and pessimistic people that will try to make you feel depressed by telling you that you will have the virus for life and there is nothing you can do about it. However, they are getting their information from old, out-dated information. It is similar to how it was previously thought that masturbating can make a person turn crazy. Obviously we have had scientific studies since then that have proved this theory wrong.

In theory, the virus will stay in your body forever because technically your immune system supresses and eradicates it, but a small trace amount will stay in your system. This theory also holds that chicken pox, the common cold, and the flu all are technically still in your body as well. Are you going to be depressed that the chicken pox virus from when you were 8-years-old is still in your body? Are you going to be depressed that you got the stomach flu on Christmas 10 years ago and technically it's still in your body?

I suggest reading the book "The Secret" and practicing the Law of Attraction. The book will explain what it is. Basically, stop being depressed and scared about it. Think of your immune system as strong and powerful and able to fight off your virus. Think of the virus as slowly disappearing. It is mind over matter. Studies have proved that thinking positively and your health has the power to heal your illness. If you become depressed and scared, your immune system will be low and then it won't be able to fight the infection as well.

There are many successful treatments for the symptoms of the virus. There are two different types of HPV: low risk and high risk. Low risk does not cause cancer and causes genital warts. High risk does not cause genital warts but a small percentage of people develop cancer from it. If you have low risk, it won't have any negative effects on your health. It will only cause ugly warts on your genital area. If you have high risk type, get pap smears every 6 months to make sure you don't develop cervical cancer. As long as you are monitored by a good doctor, they will be able to catch it early if it develops.

As far as genital warts, there are tons of treatment options. There is a cream called Aldara that helps your immune system to fight the warts. There are also treatments that your doctor can perform on you to remove them such as TCA peels, and putting chemincals on the warts to make them fall off. The doctor can also surgically remove them if other treatments don't work.

Next week I am going to Planned Parenthood to have a TCA peel to remove my warts. They quoted me that it will only cost around $87. It is A LOT cheaper then a regular gyno so I highly suggest going there if you have warts that you want removed.

Don't be depressed!!! It is our societal practice to stigmatize and shame people that have STDs. The theory is that if it is so shameful and embarassing, people will be more motivated to practice safe sex. But the reality is that HPV is the most common STD in American and most people have had the virus and some point in their lives. Just be happy you don't have HIV. LOL I kind of compare getting HPV to getting a disorderly conduct charge and HIV to being charged with first-degree murder. This analogy tries to get across the poing that HPV is really the least serious STD to get and it is really no big deal. However, I don't even think HIV is as bad as a first-degree murder charge because treatments are advanceing and the average person with HIV lives 10 years after exposure.

Good luck and I wish you the best! Start being as healthy as possible and you will fight off your virus!

The majority of the population is affected by HPV in some form or another. If you get it in your cervix, then it can lead to cervical cancer. You didn't say where you have it or in what form you have it in. I happen to have a form of it on my feet.

If you have the kind that comes from sexual contact, you probably won't have any outward symptoms. Really the only downside is that you are at risk for cervical cancer. Their are no consequences for males, other than the fact that the can pass it on to their partners. It's not that big of a deal. You just have to be aware of it now.

MJ has a really good answer except that men CAN have problems from HPV.

Most men who get HPV (of any type) never develop any symptoms or health problems. BUT some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types can cause penile cancer, oral and anal cancer. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.
http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV-a...

鈻篢his is why I think men should also have the HPV vaccine.

.

you will have it forever, but you may never have any sympotoms of it. i have HPV also, but i would never have known if i hadnt of had an abnromal pap smear. I think that the increased cancer risk is more worrisome than having the virus forever. but youll be ok. There isnt anything you can do know but except it.

I think so. It's not the end of the world. Better than having Herpes and sores that are infectious.

yes.