Hello...
Is it possible to have had HPV for years and yet have had normal pap's during that time?
Thanks for the help

w

Hi wtap.
From what I've read, it is possible to have HPV with no symptoms at all. Including normal paps. Even for years. That's why...with couples who've been together a long time...they say not to jump to the conclusion that your better half has cheated. Not saying it may not have happened, but don't automatically think it has. It apparently is possible to have the virus, and it be dormant in your body for numerous years. I've seen several people on message boards who've been married a long time. Then suddenly one pops up with signs of HPV. One of the many frustrating things about this damn virus.

I've always liked this site's info on HPV:
http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn.cfm

Also another good one:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/default.htm

thanks so much for your reply...

it's been a long week! I wen't to a new doctor this week and during the exam she found a small "growth", possible "wart" on my cervix...When I was telling my husband about this he told me that he had genital warts on college (like 20 years ago)...my biopsy results should be back no later then this coming thursday, and I amscared. I also just had a polyp removed during a colonoscopy (for a healthy person I appear to be falling apart these days)..so of course I go back and forth from...I have been lucky in health all of my life and this stuff happens...to thoughts that cancer cells are going to found throughout! If I wasn't nuts before, I could be well on my way.

I have been with my husband for over 15 years, don't exactly know how we missed this conversation throughout the years..I'm not the denial type, but I do not see him as a cheater (my raidar is usually pretty good), I recently had c-diff which can cause havoc with the immune system...question...(s)
could this have been dormant for years?.......is a growth or wart on the cervix more serious then other areas of the genitals?... does the prognosis worsen the longer the condition goes undiagnosed? (by the way I'm spelling challenged, thanks for hanging in there with me, lol)

thanks!!!

It could very well be from your hubby...even if it's been that long ago since he's had any warts. From what I've read, in men it's especially hard to know if/when HPV is active in their system. Even if they show absolutely no outward signs, it can still be present. Also, not sure of your past sexual history prior to your hubby, but even if you've been with one other person, it's possible to have caught it from that person. Just rubbing genitals together, no penetration, you can catch it as it's skin to skin is how it's transmitted. Not through bodily fluids.

From what I've read, yes, it can be dormant for a number of years. Even that long. Sometimes major stress and/or health issues can make it "rise to the surface". Sometimes changes in the body (example: pregnancy) can bring it on. Sucks! As for your other questions, not really sure how to answer. Especially dealing with warts/growths on the cervix. It is possible for things to worsen if you go without being diagnosed. However, I've read that usually the body's immune system, with time, can fight off the virus. It's rare that it turns cancerous. Things will heal themselves. Like I was diagnosed with mild dysplasia aka CIN 1. When they did my colposcopy, I guess no cancerous cells were found. So my obgyn decided on the wait and see method. My last pap two weeks ago finally shows my body is starting to mend my cervix. The results came back as atypical cells as opposed to CIN 1. So it's hard to say. Just depends.

Fredo, the forum moderator, is a bit more knowledgeable, and can answer probably better then I can. He usually is around during the weekdays. Hopefully he can pop on here Monday, and give you a better idea per what he knows.

yes you can go for years not knowing that you have it, when i first found out that i had warts i was devastated! that was about fifteen years ago, since then i have learned to deal with it, i did have a positve pap and was tested for cervical cancer and i didn't have it, i haven't had a break out in like ten years

when you have a outbreak it is easy to get treatment, i go to planned parenthood for treatment, they are also good at answering your questions, through the years i have learned that alot of people that have it don't even know it

i learned yesterday that stress can cause an outbreak, so take a deep breath, you will get through this and it will be ok

thanks Barb...

what is the treatment?

Thanks again.

there are several treatments that you can do, the one that i prefer is freezing the wart off, you will be sore for a few days but it will remove it

i went to planned parenthood yesterday and had the treatment done, this is my first outbreak in ten years

good luck and let me know how things are going

barb

Review treatment options on our website:

Cervical lesions:
http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn_dysplasia.cfm#6

Genital warts:
http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn_warts.cfm#7

Anyone can have HPV indefinitely before anything is diagnosed. Keep in mind that Paps aren't specific tests for HPV. You might like to read a previous discussion we've had at http://www.ashastd.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=271.

All the best,
Fredo

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ASHA Moderator