Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

HPV - dormant

I am 35 years old and have been with my husband for over 10 years.  I had an abnormal Pap and was told I had a high risk form of HPV.  After the col./biopsy I was told I had mild dysplasia(?) and to wait and see.  My next few Paps have been normal - I don't know if they did any other HPV testing with those Paps.  My question is could the HPV be dormant for over 10 years since I have only been with my husband for the last 10 years or should I be concerned that I have a persistent HPV even though I have had several clear Paps.  
20 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
yes done deal is a good word for not continueing this!Amen!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think you got off track some.  The whole point of this conversation was to enforce the point the doctor made......  "If HPV is your only reason for suspicion, it has NO BASIS.   I think I'm done here.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
it is a documented fact that 75% or married men will cheat while 25% of women still do the same.....it is just the way things r in this life...and many articles written by so called xperts trying to xplain why........THANK YOU for the comment regarding straight haha married men coming on2 u...my very good gay male friend 44 has xperienced the same.....well u r 27,i am 52 and maybe u 2 do not know whats going on in the world?i think we do dear!i am celibate too...2 years now...was for 10 when i got the high risk HPV...oh what i have learned!i also paid off my house 2 years ago......again a hallmark that i don't know whats going on out here!DUH!:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I was living the gay lifestyle, I cannot tell you HOW MANY married "straight" men I would always encounter who were looking for a quickie. The excuse was always the same "...my wife won't put out". Unfortunatey, I thought so little about myself at that point in life that I let them use me. Now I regret every minute of it.

Guess what? I am 27 years old...

I'd say about 80-90% of men will cheat. That's a reality. Become celibate (like I have) or just accept it as part of nature.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
u r making me laugh!I am 52....have been thru a lot of relationships in my life....have had high risk HPV a LEEP...recovering alcoholic/addict...been there and done that!Lost my father 2 years ago from prostate cancer......mom in a psych unit for 3 months misdiagnosed when my dad died....boyfriend who gave me the HPV relapsed with cocaine and turned in2 the biggest monster ever........oh no i am not of the age to know whats really happening in the world!i am dying laughing here!thank u for the humor today...!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Like I said, you are from a totally different generation.  Really, no offense but you're not of the age to actually know what is happening in today's world.  I'm sure in your time, like my mothers, things were different.  I understand that.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
seems to be in the jeans and the genes!LOL!lot of interesting research on why many males biologically and genetically cannot be monogomous..not bashing scientifically documented!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yep, generational.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Go to the experts forum-stds and read the responses of Drs.Hook and Handsfield to many ppl....mostly males posting about cheating on their wives/partners with escorts strippers etc.Looks like their finding the time!i have been reading it daily for over 2 years......jaw dropping!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The interpretation must be a generational thing because I can't find another way to interpret "If HPV is your only reason for suspicion, IT HAS NO BASIS.  That means there isn't any proof of infidelity.   In this day and age the work week is about 60-80 hours a week.  Who has the time?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
funny i don't interpret it that way...but both do state recent hpv infections cause positive tests and i have read MANY responses where both will state especially HHH...not a marriage counselor and will defer an opinion on that!And i read the Experts Forum religiously and have for 2 years!Women will believe what they want when it comes to their partners and spouses!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think he was quite clear about accusing the husband of being unfaithful when he stated
"If HPV is your only reason for suspicison, it has no basis."  That is crystal clear, Ibizan.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Neither of these doctors want to be pinpointed as stating a spouse was unfaithful.Hence the double entendre!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You said that I could have an HPV infection that has "reactivated".  If I've had this in my system for over 20 years, why is this the first time I've had an abnormal pap smear?  Wouldn't something have shown up before now?  I've had yearly exams.  Doesn't it seem more likely that I recently contracted it from an unfaithful husband?  

Thanks again for your time.  This is a very important matter to me.
Reported Report this Spam
Miscategorized
Abuse
Was this question helpful to you?Yes No

Doctor's Answer

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.


  Add as Friend

H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.  
Male
Seattle - WA
Member since Sep 2004  



, Nov 10, 2005 12:00AM
I'll help, but please no more posting new questions when a follow-up to a preceding thread is more appropriate.  Only a limited number of new questions can be taken each day, so this one probably blocked someone with a new problem.



"Latent" means that there are no signs whatsoever of infection.  It is not the rule for HPV to remain latent for 20 years then reactivate, but it happens fairly commonly.  During that period, most women in  your circumstance have entirely normal pap smears the entire time.  Between the two alternatives--latent infection reactivated after 20 years versus new infection, implying infidelity by your husband--I cannot predict which is most likely.



Re comments below:  I do not recall aloha37's question or my reply, but I doubt there is any signficant conflict between that response and this one.  imdumb is right in reemphasizing what I did in my original reply:  You probably will never know when and from whom you acquired HPV, and your HPV infection should not be the means by which you judge your husband's fidility.  If you have other reasons to believe he has had other partners, fine; but if HPV is your only reason for suspicion, it has no basis.



HHH, MD
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Drs.Hook and Handsfield in this forum have over 30 years between them with HPV.Browse the archives and read their responses regarding how long HPV lives in the system.Both have stated that the body will clear the virus and can pick up another if re-xposed.It is highly improbable that one would lurk for years then emerge again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
even by the most liberal stretch, TEN YEARS is highly unlikely. At the max, the immune system may take five years to identify and clear the virus. Unless your immune system is completely worn-down through chemotherapy or an organ transplant, I would be suspicious -- but that's just me. I'm a skpetic by nature.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have read and spoke to my doctor about HPV and it is capable of being dormant for a long time, including years.  If you and your husband had previous partners before, it's nearly impossible to be able to tell where the strain came from.  I have read that HPV is rather weak virus which needs a host to survive (skin cells).  HPV is not a blood borne illness.

Anyway, HPV is rather mysterious but one thing emphasized, it could very well possibly be that your husband was not cheating - you can't imply infedility.

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
there is a lot of misinformation out there about HPV and how one gets it..it is not caught from public toilets or public objects.It is a sexually transmitted virus.the doctors forum here is very reliable.....browse the archives or go to www.ashastd.org.The doctors here state that they are members on their board!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been reading tons of info on HPV for the last week...I hate to say this, but...

All your husband had to do to catch HPV was to touch someone else's genital area and then touch his own and -- there you go!!!

Many people think mutual masturbation or "touching" is "safe" and don't even consider it to be a form of cheating. If he touched someone else's genital area and then touched his own right afterwards, that's all that is needed for infection. Then, when he had sex with you, he infected you.

HPV is a sturdy virus that can thrive outside of blood, obviously.

But HPV is not dormant. It comes and goes usually rapidly.

Don't go beating up your husband please!!!

I have not read anything about public toilets being places to catch HPV, but it wouldn't surprise me either. Since a man's genital equipment tends to "hang" and could logically touch a toilet seat, what is the ratio of men who might acquire the virus that way and then accidently pass it on to their spouse?

There is more that we DON'T KNOW, than know, about this virus.

For now, just keep a healthy diet and you will eventually overcome it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
if ur next paps after the colp have been clear then it looks like the HPV may have cleared.The doctors in this forum state that HPV viruses clear the body in 6-18 months.It would be rare presently/ unknown if a HPV virus lie dormant for 10 years then just pops out of nowhere.I was with one person in 10 years..got high risk HPV with prior clear paps and Dr.Hook advised me that i was re-introduced to a new strain of HPV by my now x-partner which i b-lieve.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community

Top STDs Answerers
3149845 tn?1506627771
fort lauderdale, FL
Learn About Top Answerers
Popular Resources
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.