low risk or high risk!!

[worried251]

Thank god I found this forum! I have a couple of questions.

I had genital warts off and on for a little over 3 years. hopwever, I have been free of any outbreaks for over a year now. My girlfriend was diagnosed with HPV at the beginning of our relationship for the first time with an irregular pap. Since then in order she has had a normal pap, another irregular pap, another normal pap (where the doctor said there were still signs of HPV) and most recently another irregular pap. I'm assuming I had a low-risk type considering my genital warts but can low-risk types still cause irregular paps. Also, how long on average does HPV take to clear in women? She had some tests done but doesn't re-call if it was high, low-risk etc (or atleast she won't tell me). Can doctors tell the strain type? Her doctor said she was waiting for her immune system to kick the virus. Should I be stressing? THANK YOU!!!  

[ibizan]

Dr.Handsfield just commented to someone that low risk can cause abnormal paps...in a healthy immune system..non-smoking non drinking it is read that the virus takes 6-12 months to clear....then goes dormant.Genotyping a HPV virus is very xpensive and normally not done in a lab.No u should not be stressing..just keep up on the medical care!

[worried251]

Thank you for the response. She is healthy and we are waiting for this to clear but we've been in and out of good and bad paps for the past three years. If its low risk, shouldnt it have cleared by now?

[ibizan]

it depends on the strength of the immune system regarding length of time for HPV viruses to clear.Who was she with b4 u and any std's or HPV infections prior she has told u about?Couples cannot afford not to be upfront with each other in this day and age!Also she can have more than one strain of the virus......the ones that affect the cervix and the ones causing genital warts..if this is going on it will take more time for them to clear...and ping pong pap results will most likely be common!

[worried251]

Tahnk you for your help! I really appreciate it.

[ibizan]

ur welcome!always nice to see a partners concerned about his partners health....take care of urself and each other!