Just found out i have the HPV virus

I just found out that i have HPV i am 21 and i know they said it is caused by sexual intercourse, but now i feel like a "****" needless to say i told my mom and she said she had that when she was my age too. But I don't really know how to feel about this? and should i tell my boyfriend so he can get checked out? is HPV anything like HIV or AIDS? i asked my doctor some simple questions but not any of these. What should i do and how i should i go about this? i have another app. for the colposopy on the 12th of sept.

[myfutureawaits100]

def take some kind of pain reliever before you go on the 12 contact your doctor for the best one. when i had my Colposcopy they took 8 pieces of my cervix. It would have been helpful if i had some pain reliever. the hpv itself i've been told most of the time it goes away itself within 2 years. in my case thats not the issue but i hope you have better luck. Just ask lots of questions and hopefully your doctor will answer them

[Griever3000]

Hey Krystal,

I was recently diagnosed with HPV as well. Ever since then i have been reading and trying to do some research about this virus.

HPV is NOTHING like HIV/AIDS thank God! HPV, depending on which strain you have, being low or high risk may cause genital warts or in some VERY RARE cases cervical cancer if left untreated.

Im not medically licensed to give you a correct or accurate answer but i would like you to know this: Most people with HPV usually clear the virus within 18-24 months. Some people clear it sooner and some clear it later. The best thing to do is to remain healthy, do not smoke or drink. Take daily vitamins and live a healthy lifestyle. Your immune system will lay the virus to a dormant stage and you will be back to yourself again =) .

Just keep up with your paps and keep getting yourself checked.

Me, personally, i would tell my partner. If you guy have had sex then theres a chance that he may also already be infected with the virus. Most of the times guys don't show any symptoms but they may carry the virus.

I know that this experience may make you feel like sh** but don't worry, eventually the problem will go away. Read around about HPV and educate yourself more it will make you feel better.

You said that your mom has HPV as well right? How long has she been symptom free and has she ever had a reoccurrence of the virus? (i.e Gential (genital) warts?)

[vandykd3]

If you've been diagnosed with high-risk hpv then your boyfriend will show no signs of it nor will there be any negative consequence for him.  He could pass it on to other women should he have any new partners in the next two years, about the time it takes for ones immune system to control it.  He may have it he may not.  You won't know.  HPV is super common.  If you have further questions, direct them to Hollyv if she's around.  She's knowledgeable about womem and HPV.

[Hollyv]

HPV is very common in your age group. A Pap is not supposed to be done in women under 21 and an HPV test is NEVER supposed to be done in women under 21 under the new guidelines (guidelines changed in November 2009 with more updated information) because HPV is very common in this age group. It is found in 24.5% of sexually active women 14-19 years of age. In your age group 20-24 years it is found in 44.8% of women (nearly of half of all sexually active women). This is usually a transient infection, which means it is an infection that goes away. I presume you had an abnormal Pap smear that was ASCUS which means atypical cells of undetermined significance. This means very mildly abnormal cells or normal cells that they could not tell if they were normal or abnormal and a positive HPV test. There are 3 ways to deal with the ASCUS Pap 1. to have an HPV test reflexed off the original speciman 2. to have a repeat Pap in 6 & 12 months 3.to have a colposcopy—Did the Dr. give you an option before he did the HPV test?? Did he explain your options? Since the HPV test was positive the current recommendation is to have a colposcopy but I would not do this invasive procedure because you are very borderline between the 20 and 21 years of age and most HPV clears. Only you know your sexual past—If you have had multiple partners from age 12-14 then maybe you want to opt for the colposcopy. Your Dr. makes more money if you have the colposcopy and the lab makes more when they test the specimen. You can have a repeat Pap in 6 months and again in a year or (2) You can have an HPV test in a year. In most cases your Pap will return to normal during this time. You need to understand the testing before you go further and you need to be proactive in your health care and understand the tests. If your Dr. does not give you all the answers, then get a second opinion. If it were me I would opt for the less invasive approach and not do a colpscopy. I would only have a colposcopy and cervical biopsy, if my Pap was abnormal for a year or more in your age group or if my Pap was higher level of abnormal such as HSIL.

HPV is not AIDS, in most people HPV goes away—AIDS does not. HPV is a viral infection that goes away or becomes dormant (like a viral cold or chicken pox) and AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that progressively can break down an immune system with multiple infections and tumors with no present cure. It is your decision if you tell your boyfriend but it is possible that he has HPV if you have it, HOWEVER if he does it will also clear in 6-24 months. There are no tests for men so he should presume that he has it. He will not get warts and he will have no symptoms if he has high risk HPV but he can pass it on if he has any other partners. If either of you have had any sexual partners in the past, there will be no way to know who had the HPV first. It is important to have honesty in a good relationship, so disclosure to him would probably be wise.

You should not feel bad (and neither should he), HPV is a fact of life for anyone that is sexually active and anyone that is sexually active with more than one partner will probably get HPV. HPV appears to also transfer easier in younger people but also clears faster. The statistics are that 80% of sexually active people will be infected at some point. It is also not something to ignore—build your immune system, don’t smoke, use condoms and limit your sexual partners. If you can hang on to this thought for the next 6 months to a year—HPV is common and cervical cancer is rare it may help you. In 2007 Harvard reported that 95% of colposcopies in the United States were not necessary. Once your Paps are normal again, you will not have to tell a partner and you can consider yourself clear. You are young and this is a lot to worry about but understand that most of this testing is for older women that have a higher risk for cervical cancer. Hope this helps…