HPV Positive

[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?

 

[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 .

 

[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

 

[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

 

[Kim Mild]

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

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[Dipdab]

Mine came back as positive in 2017 (I also ended up having a lletz procedure). I have since had 3/4 smears since then and they have all come back as negative/clear.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[Jellybb]

Bumping this old thread! Anyway I tested positive for hpv last year with no abnormal cells so I had to go for another smear test a year later (2weeks ago) to see if the hpv is gone.. anyways my doctor called me a while ago telling me she is arranging a colposcopy. Has anyone got any experience with this? I’m not sure as to what the need for a colposcopy is when I have no abnormal cells 🫣 I should have asked her when she called but I was rushing around

 

[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.

 

[Jellybb]

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.

I actually bled during the smear, I found it dreadfully painful I wonder can they knock me out for it

 

[square_spoon]

I actually bled during the smear, I found it dreadfully painful I wonder can they knock me out for it

I get Valium from my GP for it, they’re really understanding about prescribing it