Here are the consequences of sleeping with…
It is also possible to be infected by an asymptomatic person. Because many HPV infections are asymptomatic, a partner can unknowingly transmit the virus. This “silent” transmission makes early detection particularly difficult without regular screening.
The link between a large number of partners and the risk of HPV
More exposure, more opportunities
The more intimate partners a person has, the more likely they are to encounter someone carrying a high-risk strain of HPV. For men, each new partner represents a potential exposure to the virus. While one or two encounters may not significantly increase the risk, regular contact with multiple unprotected partners statistically increases the risk of infection.
According to a study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, men reporting having had more than five intimate partners in their lifetime have a significantly higher risk of contracting HPV than those with fewer partners. A clear linear relationship was established between the number of partners and the prevalence of HPV.
The role of the immune response
Most healthy people recover from HPV infection within two years. However, repeated exposure to different strains, especially over short periods, can make it more difficult for the immune system to suppress or eliminate the virus. In men, this increases the risk of persistent infection, which can be associated with long-term complications.
Symptoms and health risks in men
HPV is often called a “silent” virus because many people don’t experience any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
Genital warts: small growths or nodules on the penis, scrotum, groin or anus.
Respiratory papillomatosis: warts in the respiratory tract that cause breathing difficulties (rare).
Cancer: Although rare, some high-risk strains can lead to cancer of the penis, anus, and oropharynx (throat and tongue).
It is important to note that the absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of contagion. The virus can be transmitted without visible signs, thus maintaining the chain of transmission.
