| "I have something important to tell you, I went to the doctor who ran some tests "down there" |
| "Oh yeah, what did she say?" |
| "Well she said I have a common virus that 80% of the population gets but only 1% ever show symptoms. lucky me! (Sources)" |
| "Wow 80% is common, what does it do?" |
| "In the vast majority of people it does absolutly nothing, for others it creates these little skin bumps." |
| "Little skin bumps? what do they look like? can they be treated?" |
| "Well they look kind of like a wart on your hand, in fact its caused by the same family of virus, HPV. And yes, there are several treatments and some even erradicate the virus (source). In most cases eventually the immune system takes control and suppresses them" |
| "HPV? I have heard that is linked to cancer, do you have cancer?" |
| "Let me explain, HPV can also cause cell changes on a womans cervix. This is also a highly treatable infection. While HPV is the cause of cervical cancer, in reality it is very rare that HPV infection will lead to invasive cancer. This is only when the virus stays around for many many years, we're talking at least 10 to 15 (source). It is extremely uncommon for dysplasia (thats what the cell changes are called) to progress to cancer if its properly treated (source). After, usually even before, treatment most people develop an effective immune response and clear the infection." (sources) |
| "Hmm, well wait a minute you said "virus" can i catch this from you?" |
| "The doctor said during treatment its possible to transfer it to you but once the warts are treated, the chance of it rubbing of on someone else drastically falls (source). She said use a condom and don't worry so much." |
| "Well, ok, I'm glad you told me. I still have some questions" |
| "We can research it together, I'm kinduv down on myself over the whole thing." |
| "What are you talking about, 80% get it, all it does is cause some bumps, its treatable, and your immune system will eventually take care of it, and other than that your life goes on as normal?" |
| "Well, yeah" |
| "Oh! I thought you said you had something "REALLY IMPORTANT" to tell me..." |
