carrier of hpv?

If one has been exposed to hpv and has checked negative via a pap smear, can one become a carrier?

[gracefromHHP]

A regular pap test doesn't actually check for hpv. It checks for the presence of abnormal cervical cells. You can be infected with hpv for 20 years or more before it starts to show signs of abnormal cells that will show up on a pap test.

Even if you did have a pap test that checks for hpv ( there are some out there ) - most only check for high risk hpv and won't tell you if there' s low risk hpv present or not.

We do not have a commercially available test for the types of hpv that cause external genital warts so even a negative hpv test with your pap doesn't give you the full picture.

This is the herpes board, not the hpv board. All further questions should be posted on the hpv board. thanks!

grace