Medical exam - what about HPV?

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

My fiance (USC) has HPV - Human papillomavirus. He told me last year, a few weeks later I got tested, and they said I didn't have anything.

Since then he came to visit me, and I have not been tested since then. I'm planning on doing it soon (probably in a few weeks).

Now I'm kind of freaking out for the medical exam before the interview for K1 (I know, that's a little early since we sent the petition a month and a half ago). I've looked for other posts, and also other websites. there was a post that said that someone with herpes would not necessarily be denied, so I'm guessing it should be the same for HPV.

I found that list of "communicable disease of public health significance" on that website http://faq.visapro.com/Immigration-Medical-Exams-FAQ9.asp.

A ‘communicable disease of public health significance’ is defined in the HHS regulations that cover the required medical exam for immigration purposes and includes the following nine infectious medical conditions:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

• Tuberculosis (TB)

• Leprosy

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)

• Syphilis (infectious state)

• Chancroid (STD, similar to syphilis and herpes)

• Gonorrhea

• Granuloma inguinale (STD, donovanosis)

• Lymphogranuloma (STD, chlamydia)

HPV is definitely not on it.

Here is what I'm thinking:

- I get the test, if they say I'm fine, then I ask my doctor to write me a letter stating that I don't have it. At the medical exam, I tell them that my fiance has it but that I don't (since it's probably better not to hide anything), and I show them this letter.

- if they say I have it, then I really don't know...

First, do you think HPV would be a big problem?

Do you think that the idea of a letter and telling the truth is right (ahah)?

What do we do if I have it too?

[mariapoe 0]

I don’t think you should worry about. First of all, HPV is not in the list, that’s correct. What they basically test you for is HIV, syphilis, and TB; HPV is not of their concern. Besides, at your medical, you only have a blood test and x-ray; as far as I know, to diagnose the HPV, they'd have to make a pap test, too, and they don’t do it.

(By the way, do you know that they now have a vaccine from HPV – it’s only effective for women who are under 26 though.)

[Zee Bee 61]

Don't worry about the HPV. They are looking for diseases that are highly infectious and pose a public health risk. HPV is so common and mostly dormant so it does not fall in this category.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

That's a relief! So you would say I don't even need to mention it (unless they ask specific questions of course)?

(By the way, do you know that they now have a vaccine from HPV – it’s only effective for women who are under 26 though.)

yes I know, but from what I read, it's only effective if you take it before to be sexually active and it only protects from certain types of HPV. I might try it anyway.

[Zee Bee 61]

No need to mention it unless they ask.

[mariapoe 0]

I agree with ZeeNusah. Don' mention it. At my medical, I've been asked so many stupid questions - if I've ever had concussions, if I've been taking antidepressants, if I've been seeing a pshychiatrist... They've also checked my body for scars, etc. I found many of it offensive. But no HPV-related questions:)

(About that vaccine, I've never heard that you have to have it before you become sexually active. It sounds rather odd:) but could be. I wish I was under 26 to have a shot - I'm 33 now:) You're right that it doesn't protect of all the HPV types but at least of some; it wouldn't be bad either:)

[Jasman0717 9]

It is my understanding that the doctor can do something with HPV in men but now women.

[tuty 0]

Oh goodness!!!!! Ive been diagnosed with hpv 18 and they found pre cancerous cells which I have to take care of through some treatment! I've cried over this! now i've read that hpv may not be considered a big issue in the medical! great! I thought so too...but you never know! I hope it will be okay .....good luck to us!!!

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

tuty, sorry to hear that you have precancerous cells.

people who answered that thread didn't say that it wasn't considered a big issue in the medical, they only said that it wasn't considered as big an issue as AIDS or TB or leprosy.

I hope your treatment will work and everything will be fine for the visa