I was wondering, lets say there's a couple, the man has HPV and the wife doesn't. But if they wanted a child, can artificial insemination be used? Or will it not work that way? Will the child have a chance of getting HPV even though it is artificial insemination?

A baby won't contract HPV from its father as part of conception, no. It's not even common for a baby to get HPV from its mother during pregnancy or delivery. The risk is considered slight enough so that a C-section isn't recommended even when the mother has HPV-related lesions present at delivery.

A couple that is sexually active probably shares HPV anyway, so I don't know if artificial insemination is necessary. But to address your specific question, there's no realistic risk to the baby of which I'm aware.

Fredo

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ASHA Moderator

Hi Fredo, thanks for your response. But currently, my girlfriend is not infected with HPV as far as I know. And if we decide to have children one day, I'd very much like to keep her wart-free until I am "cured" (no recurrence for more than 6 months). But I know of cases whereby people have it for 6-7 years or more. In case it takes that long to reach and we decide to have children one day, would artificial insemination help?

It's hard to see how there's any risk to the baby, if that's the concern. Like I mentioned before, it's not even common for a baby to be develop HPV-related conditions when the mother has the virus during pregnancy and delivery.

Best,
Fredo

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ASHA Moderator

But a risk is still a risk. I'd like to avoid taking that risk if I can, Fredo. Might you have any advice? They recommended a C-section during child birth to lessen the chances but I was thinking of artificial insemination.