HPV Positive

[BettyCrockerr]

Hi! I don’t know if there is already a thread for HPV, the search results brought up nothing.

I had my cervical screening last month and the result came back as HPV positive, but no abnormal cells. Phew.

The one thing that is worrying me is that I have been with my fiancé for almost three years. I have not been near anywhere else, and I believe in my heart that he hasn’t either. So is it possible I’ve had it for years? I was reading about different types, types that don’t go away after a year or two and now I’m panicking that I’ve had it for years.

Back in my early 20’s, I won’t lie, I was promiscuous. At 26 I met someone and was with them from 2013-2018. Met my fiancé in 2018. So I’ve only slept with those two over the last eight years.

The screening test result letter wasn’t the best explanation, if I’m honest. I’ve been trying to do some research but start panicking that I’ve had it for years and years and not known about it.

Anyway, I’ll stop here. Just interested to hear about anyone else’s experience with it. Anyone else tested positive whilst being in a relationship where you’re 99% certain that they haven’t cheated?

the vast majority of people who are, or who have ever been sexually active will have HPV. It’s something like over 80% of the sexually active population have it; it’s very common. Most people pick it up when they first become sexually active - you could have had it for years. it can pass between people via intercourse but also sexual touching etc so it’s likely you’ve picked it up years ago, or maybe you got it from your partner who also may have had it for years and didn’t know?


the important thing here is that you are attending your cervical screening and keeping ontop of your sexual health now. Stop worrying about it, you havent done anything wrong, don’t let this panic you.

 

[OhMyGaad]

HPV can lay dormant in the body for many years until something triggers it

 

[Raquel1990]

Sorry to boost this old thread, but I've tested positive for high risk HPV again (3rd year iv had it now) and they've referred me to the hospital. I've been waiting since September for a referral which can take apparently 20 weeks and in the mean time I just sit here hoping on a prayer that all is fine. Has anyone else had HPV consistently? What was the next steps for you?

I’ve had hpv for the last 3 years now and I’ve been referred 2 times for the colposcopy and both times they picked nothing up from it. I’ve had yearly smears since having the hpv, they said if I have any symptoms or if things change to get in contact with them.

 

[Buswanker]

Thank you all so much.
I was flapping a bit trying to understand. I’m stressed 90% of the time and have been for quite a while (and seeking help for my MH) so I’m hoping that it helps. Feel reassured after reading your comments. Thank you.

 

[BettyRay20]

Hello . I tested positive 2 years ago I think and have been with my husband for 15 years . The way they explained at the hospital is they never tested for hpv before , they just checked to see if you had abnormal cells and if you did they would check to see if you had hpv and now it is the first thing they check for so it is very very common at the moment . My first smear I had high grade abnormal cells but no hpv .I have them yearly because of that but 2 years ago I was hpv positive . I to was very confused as to why I had it when I have been with nobody else but I think you can have it for years and it can make an appearance if you are run down or stressed ect . I may not be making much sense but I hope that helps slightly . It does not mean anyone has been promiscuous its just a very very common thing that they didnt check before .

 

[Lau123]

Hi! I don’t know if there is already a thread for HPV, the search results brought up nothing.

I had my cervical screening last month and the result came back as HPV positive, but no abnormal cells. Phew.

The one thing that is worrying me is that I have been with my fiancé for almost three years. I have not been near anywhere else, and I believe in my heart that he hasn’t either. So is it possible I’ve had it for years? I was reading about different types, types that don’t go away after a year or two and now I’m panicking that I’ve had it for years.

Back in my early 20’s, I won’t lie, I was promiscuous. At 26 I met someone and was with them from 2013-2018. Met my fiancé in 2018. So I’ve only slept with those two over the last eight years.

The screening test result letter wasn’t the best explanation, if I’m honest. I’ve been trying to do some research but start panicking that I’ve had it for years and years and not known about it.

Anyway, I’ll stop here. Just interested to hear about anyone else’s experience with it. Anyone else tested positive whilst being in a relationship where you’re 99% certain that they haven’t cheated?

Please try to worry. I recently went for my smear and the nurse said to me it's now the first thing they test for but they didn't use to.
She told me not to worry if it came back positive as the majority of the population have it. She said to think of it like the coldsore virus, it can be dormant in your body. Some smear tests it will show up and others it won't. The most important thing is to keep up with cervical smears and try not to let it worry you

 

[OhMyGaad]

I believe hpv can also be elsewhere in the body . I know a man who had cancer in his throat caused by hpv.

Yes that's right. HPV is one of the biggest causes of cancer of the mouth, throat and gentalia.

 

[MabelMae]

A bit TMI but I sent photos of my noonie to Superdrug pharmacy and they think I’ve got genital warts and I’m mortified. I haven’t been sexually active with anyone for over 2 years or even intimate and my smear on April came back clear. Awaiting face to face with a doctor but ordered the cream via Superdrug.

I feel gross and embarrassed

 

[square_spoon]

Try not to worry - it’s standard protocol for when the HPV infection hasn’t cleared on a repeat smear, even if there are no cell changes evident from the smear sample. The colposcopy itself is fine (I hate smears and thought the colposcopy was actually ‘nicer’) and the results will be communicated to you a couple of weeks after. My practice nurse used lovely language to say they just like to ‘keep an extra eye’ on people who haven’t cleared the HPV infection year to year.

 

[theghosttown]

Don’t stress, it can lay dormant. I got it when I was first with my husband, had 2 clear smears and it returned again. I spoke to jos cervical cancer trust who explained it can go away, lay dormant but can come back. Similar to a cold sore in that respect.

 

[Dipdab]

Bumping this thread again, I tested positive for hpv on my first smear I had done 2 weeks ago, no abnormal cells. They didn’t send me a booklet with my letter and I’m finding when I googled stuff there wasn’t much information about it. And what I have seen of it has worried me. Does it affect fertility? As I haven’t had children yet and I’m now worried this is a problem

A few years ago I had abnormal cells (which were removed via surgery) and postive for hpv. I’m now a mum my pregnancy went smoothly with no issues. All my smears since my treatment have been clear too

 

[leon19]

A year ago i tested the same hpv positive no abnormal cells retest in a year. No idea how long I'd had it as it was my first smear test. I've been with my boyfriend for 4 years and i haven't been with anyone else and don't believe he had either. I didn't really worry about how I got it i just thought it was one of them things you could get. I only worried about still having it and it possibly turning into other things. But funnily enough I got my result back in the post today and I am now hpv negative no abnormal cells so I am pleased I cleared it. Try not to stress it most time it will go away

 

[theghosttown]

Gosh, I wasn’t even aware of that. I just assumed that once it had cleared, if he’s clear too, that would be the end of it. I wish that they were more clear about things like that in the letter that they send with your result. Like one of the lovely folks mentioned above, it casts a shadow of doubt over a partner’s fidelity, even if only briefly. Especially if you’ve been together longer than two years.

That’s what I thought too but I had another abnormal smear this year having been clear of hpv for the previous two before. Never in my life would I think my husband would cheat on me. Ever. But momentarilyI have to say my mind did wonder. Jos cervical trust is an incredible resource x

 

[Buswanker]

Yes, it can lay dormant for years in both men and women. I outright asked my Gynaecologist (unfortunately I did have severe abnormal cells that had to be removed) and he said you or your partner can have it years and it suddenly activates. It can also come back if your partner is carrying it and can come back of it's own accord too.

Gosh, I wasn’t even aware of that. I just assumed that once it had cleared, if he’s clear too, that would be the end of it. I wish that they were more clear about things like that in the letter that they send with your result. Like one of the lovely folks mentioned above, it casts a shadow of doubt over a partner’s fidelity, even if only briefly. Especially if you’ve been together longer than two years.

 

[Shinythings]

Yes, it can lay dormant for years in both men and women. I outright asked my Gynaecologist (unfortunately I did have severe abnormal cells that had to be removed) and he said you or your partner can have it years and it suddenly activates. It can also come back if your partner is carrying it and can come back of it's own accord too.

 

[theghosttown]

Thank you all so much.
I was flapping a bit trying to understand. I’m stressed 90% of the time and have been for quite a while (and seeking help for my MH) so I’m hoping that it helps. Feel reassured after reading your comments. Thank you.

Stress can trigger it! Same as with smoking. It’s scary because momentarily you do doubt your partners. Think all of those who have had it have been through the same feelings as yourself x

 

[Amyx1518]

I'm in the UK, Midlands based. The NHS app says the average wait time for an appointment is 17 weeks. They referred me on 12th September so another 5 weeks or so to go! lol

That surprises me.. good luck tho, positive vibes I’m sure it’ll be absolutely fine

 

[square_spoon]

My daughter has HPV. Late 20s. She has to have a smear each year. When it was detected they said she was to have a colposcopy. But when we got there they said it was “too high up” so used some “silver” on it? I didn’t really understand. Is that like burning off the cells? I should have asked but was just so worried for her

I’m no expert but according to google the silver is just a substance they use in colposcopies/biopsies. It’s not treating anything as such, sort of like how a plaster covers a cut but isn’t doing anything other than covering/keeping it clean it if that makes sense? The results of the coloscopy will be communicated really clearly so if there is anything to worry about she will be told, likewise if there is nothing to worry about. The silver doesn’t really mean anything.

 

[square_spoon]

I got the same letter this week and went into orbit about it but like you found some really good informative resources online to calm me a bit. Still wish I didn't have it but have stopped questioning the who and where because it honestly doesn't matter. It is a big shock though and I found the booklet they sent with it so wishy washy and nothingy it actually made things worse. Jo's Cancer Trust has some excellent information on their site and there's a couple of good videos from doctors on youtube about it.

 

[Buswanker]

Hi! I don’t know if there is already a thread for HPV, the search results brought up nothing.

I had my cervical screening last month and the result came back as HPV positive, but no abnormal cells. Phew.

The one thing that is worrying me is that I have been with my fiancé for almost three years. I have not been near anywhere else, and I believe in my heart that he hasn’t either. So is it possible I’ve had it for years? I was reading about different types, types that don’t go away after a year or two and now I’m panicking that I’ve had it for years.

Back in my early 20’s, I won’t lie, I was promiscuous. At 26 I met someone and was with them from 2013-2018. Met my fiancé in 2018. So I’ve only slept with those two over the last eight years.

The screening test result letter wasn’t the best explanation, if I’m honest. I’ve been trying to do some research but start panicking that I’ve had it for years and years and not known about it.

Anyway, I’ll stop here. Just interested to hear about anyone else’s experience with it. Anyone else tested positive whilst being in a relationship where you’re 99% certain that they haven’t cheated?