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How Long Can HPV Survive Outside The Body?
Question: I had HPV maybe 5 years ago. I just used a razor to shave my private parts and realized it was from back then. Could the HPV virus have survived outside the body all that time, and thus, have just put me at risk of reinfection?
Brief Answer:
Risk of transmission through razor is very unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it seems highly u likely that you got infection through the razor, as usually it doesn't survive away from skin contact and usually bedding, towels, sharing clothing or devices like razors are not mode of transmiting the virus. It also can't tolerate even mild disinfection or cleansing and normally transmission is always from human contact like sustained skin contacts during sexual encounters.
You should also get the lesion reviewed by a dermatologist to assess whether it is really the HPV or something else and it is also advisable to have regular pap smear to rule out any other complication of hpv.
Allways use disppsable razors and reusable machines like trimmers should be disinfected with alcohol or other common disinfectants.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Risk of transmission through razor is very unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it seems highly u likely that you got infection through the razor, as usually it doesn't survive away from skin contact and usually bedding, towels, sharing clothing or devices like razors are not mode of transmiting the virus. It also can't tolerate even mild disinfection or cleansing and normally transmission is always from human contact like sustained skin contacts during sexual encounters.
You should also get the lesion reviewed by a dermatologist to assess whether it is really the HPV or something else and it is also advisable to have regular pap smear to rule out any other complication of hpv.
Allways use disppsable razors and reusable machines like trimmers should be disinfected with alcohol or other common disinfectants.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
It definitely was HPV, which was treated at the time. Do you know long m the virus lasts outside the body? I have read mixed studies on this.
Also, just to confirm, did you mean "highly unlikely?" It currently reads: "highly u likely." I just want to make sure I understand correctly.
Thank you very much.
Also, just to confirm, did you mean "highly unlikely?" It currently reads: "highly u likely." I just want to make sure I understand correctly.
Thank you very much.
Brief Answer:
It can survive upto few days but transmission through this mode is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes you understood it right that it's unlikely to be transmitted this way. Though different studies and researches show that it can survive upto 24 hours to 7 days, depending upon surrounding temperature and disinfectants or degree of cleansing but being able to transmit through this route is very less likely. That means that theoretical risk of transmission remains upto few days of contamination though broken skin but practically experiencing such scenarios still has very low frequency.
Regards.
It can survive upto few days but transmission through this mode is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes you understood it right that it's unlikely to be transmitted this way. Though different studies and researches show that it can survive upto 24 hours to 7 days, depending upon surrounding temperature and disinfectants or degree of cleansing but being able to transmit through this route is very less likely. That means that theoretical risk of transmission remains upto few days of contamination though broken skin but practically experiencing such scenarios still has very low frequency.
Regards.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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