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Genital HPV is an extremely common viral infection. (Of the more than 100 known HPV strains, 30 are sexually transmissible and are considered genital HPV.) Approximately 5.5 million new genital HPV transmissions occur in this country every year, representing about one-third of all new STD infections, and an estimated 20 million men and women are thought to have genital HPV at any given time. According to a 1997 American Journal of Medicine article, nearly three in four Americans between the ages of 15 and 49 have been infected with genital HPV at some point in their life. HPV infection, which is usually asymptomatic, is also usually harmless. The vast majority of cases are transient: The body's immune system fights off the infection, which then either becomes inactive or resolves on its own. Certain HPV strains lead to genital warts. These warts can be removed, but because the virus typically remains in the body, symptoms may reappear. Other HPV strains are deemed "high-risk" because they occasionally develop into a persistent infection that can progress to cervical cancer if left untreated, usually over the course of decades. Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are associated with these 13 high-risk stra
The incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has been on the decline for some time, and today cervical cancer is relatively rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that 12,200 cases will occur to American women this year, resulting in 4,100 deaths (which represents one percent of all cancer deaths among women). The major reason cervical cancer rates in this country are so low today—despite high rates of HPV infection—is the widespread availability of Pap tests. Pap tests can detect not only early-stage cervical cancer, which is highly treatable, but also cervical dysplasia—precancerous changes of cervical cells which can linger for years—allowing for the removal of affected tissue long before invasive cancer sets in. Since the introduction of the Pap test in the 1950s, cases of cervical cancer in the United States have decreased dramatically—by 74% between 1955 and 1992. As cited in a 2000 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer in this country have not had a Pap test in the last three years. Indeed, according to the American Social Health Association (ASHA), almost all new cases of cervical cancer, and cervical cancer deaths, could be prevented with regular Pap screening.

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ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

So does this mean that the vaccine doesn't work ? It either does or not. The V means virus, so if you are alone on a desert island you would not need it right ?

The vaccine is very effective against the strains of the virus it was developed and approved for, those that are responsible for a very large percentage of cervical cancers.  As with many vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, it can't offer protection from every strain of a family of viruses.
 
If you were alone on a desert island, the use of the vaccine is a moot point.  There'd be no one to administer it.

I mean in what way does this vaccine prevent one from contracting the disease ? From a toilet seat ? Maybe I don't know enough about it, but I would think if you got the vaccine you should be OK no ?

As with sexually transmitted infections in general, it's usually spread by sexual activity.  Toilet seats are vastly overrated as spreaders of STIs. 
 
The vaccine works as most vaccines do; by stimulating the production of antibodies to the virus prior to any infection, enabling the immune system to better attack the virus.

What I don't understand is why take a vaccine that does not work ?

Well, if a vaccine doesn't work at all, I'd say taking it would be silly.  With the HPV vaccines, as with most vaccines, you weigh the benefits against the risks, and make your decision.  It is an effective enough vaccine, that many people feel the risks outweigh the benefits, but it's an individual decision.

Perhaps someone can explain.

T

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ORIGINAL: MissMagnolia

What a sad situation. All I can think of is using femidoms, dentaldams and condoms.

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ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

Edited to add, since this virus is extremely common, you could be a carrier for strains of it and be completely unaware of that. If I really cared for someone with HPV it would not impact my decision to be involved with that person. It is not like it is AIDs or even herpes.

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ike most viral infections, there is no cure for Human Papillomavirus.  Treatment consists of destroying the infected cells, but it often comes back due to infection of normal-appearing nearby skin.  If left untreated, genital warts may go away on their own.  One study showed that nearly 1/3 of all patients had spontaneous resolution of the growths. For those not wanting to wait to see if they disappear on their own (e.g., most people), destruction of the abnormal cells can be done via a number of methods such as freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen, destroying the tissue with laser surgery, using a blistering agent (such as podophyllin - made from rain forest beetles), or burning them off with a potent acid (e.g., trichloracetic acid).   A doctor trained in one of these techniques should be seen to prevent damaging the normal surrounding tissue.

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ORIGINAL: burningdesires47

I'm not sure which strain it is, but she got told she tested positive for HPV, IIRC, 4 years ago, so SHE may not even remember. So, if I were to pursue this, I don't know how I would ask that (which is not making up excuses, more asking, how would you go about having that conversation?)

I suppose at least a small factor in this is that due to my fibro, I have no freaking immune system. Which is only slightly exaggerating. So a vaccine that is 100% effective on a healthy human being may not even work for me, or not effectively. I got the vaccine to minimize my risk as much as possible, but I (and by "I/me" I mean "my doctors") can't quantify what that risk is, with me vs. the typical immune-compromised person vs. the general population. It's not the first time it has come up and sadly won't be the last.

And at least part of my problem is getting over the idea that STD=avoid like the plague... and also understanding why I would WANT to get over that idea. I feel this could easily be a slippery slope, from which I then choose to be with someone who has, for example, herpes... and while I don't think I would do that NOW, if I chose to change my personal coda of rules for her, then who's to say I wouldn't change them a little more for someone else later down the line? and for someone who isn't interested in a long-term RELATIONSHIP, but only play, fuck-buddies with some BDSM play if it comes to that, I guess I just don't see the prudence in doing that.

As usual with these boards I've just made myself late for work again lol... so I don't have time to go back and re-read, forgive me if anything is written badly/unclear.

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ORIGINAL: proudsub

Many varieties of HPV never show up as warts.  I had a non-wart strain that was diagnosed after an abnormal pap.  It was a strain that can cause cancer so i had the LEEP procedure where they scrape the surface of your cervix.  That was about 5 years ago and all my paps have been normal since than.  I had no visible symptoms, so ladies, keep getting regular pap smears, it is such a common problem.  By the way i contracted it from my affair with a dom who swore he was clean.  I don't blame him because he also had no symptoms.  He is the only man besides Hubby that i have had interocurse with in 40 years.

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ORIGINAL: burningdesires47

How do I get over this fear? How do I tell her I'm not interested in being more than friends, or else how do I convince myself it's OK since I'm likely to get HPV eventually anyway? Or maybe there are other options I'm not considering?