Hi Michelle,

There's a stigma attached to HPV much the same as HSV type 1 and 2. People are just funny about it. Having had HSV most of my adult life, I was surprised when they didn't find HPV initially. However, they found it with the 2nd set of biopsies and removal of the cancerous lymph nodes. I was a smoker and drinker most of my adult life as well so it was kind of a double whammy in me getting SCC H&N.

I was never so relieved to have been exposed to another STD at some point in my life It doesn't phase me in the least as 90% of the population has been exposed or has HPV or HSV 1 or 2 or a combination of two or all. I find it amusing when someone poo poos me for telling them that cold sore is herpes