Human papillomavirus or HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that affects many sexually active people. It can spread through any - oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It is more common than what people perceive because around 70-80% of women experience this infection at some stage in their lives. And since it is a sexually transmitted infection, it can affect the partner as well. So, if someone is stuck on the question, should i tell my partner i have hpv? They shouldn't hesitate.

Symptoms of HPV
There are over 200 types of HPV infections that have different symptoms and extent of risk. However, the most commonly targeted spots are the cervix, the vagina or vulva, and the throat.

Symptoms of cervical HPV are:
1. Pain in the pelvic region
2. Pain during and after sex
3. Unusual vaginal discharge (thick or dark coloured)
4. Unusual vaginal bleeding post sex

Symptoms of vaginal or vulvar HPV are:
1. Cauliflower like clusters
2. Bumps darker than the surrounding skin
3. Raised, rough, or smooth growths

Symptoms of throat HPV (in low-risk cases) are:
1. Warts at the back of the throat
2. Warts near tonsils
3. Warts on the base of the tongue

Symptoms of throat HPV (in low-risk cases) are:
- Earaches
- Continuous long term sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Hoarseness of voice
- Pain during swallowing
- Weight loss

Talking to the partner about HPV
In 95% of the cases, women are not even aware that they have been infected because the immunity gets rid of the virus. Telling the partner without knowing herself makes no sense. However, if the female knows about the infection, it is somewhat of a choice whether or not she should tell her partner. So, if someone is wondering should i tell my partner i have hpv, it is a choice that needs to be made. However, she should remember that the infection spreads quickly during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It can be harmful to their partner and can spread among multiple people from a single source. So, as a responsible individual, the infected person should let their partner know.

Important things to remember while telling the partner about HPV
It is responsible for telling the partner about any STDs or STIs, and HPV is no exception. In many cases, treatment may not be needed as the body combats the virus on its own. Protective measures like condoms are also not very effective as the virus may be present on the skin around the genital. As the risk of not telling is high, one should be open about discussing such things with the partner. If possible, one should discuss it before they indulge in any sexual activity with a new partner.

Having an STI like HPV doesn't mean that the partner has been unfaithful. The virus can stay in the body for years in a dormant state and show symptoms later in life. In many cases, the partner doesn't even need to get tested. So, there is hardly any reason for keeping it a secret.