pap and HPV... reliable??

[katherine465]

can you have a normal Pap result but still have HPV? or does a normal pap rule HPV out completely?

[mayflowers]

Yes, you can have a normal pap but still have HPV.  It happens alot.  You need to get an HPV test that tests for the hpv DNA.  However, it's still  important to note that you could test negative for HPV but still have had HPV at one time, the virus is just lying dormant in your body.  Your immune system is keeping the HPV under control.  That's why a woman will often get HPV in her 20's but in her 50's the HPV will pop up and cause a bad pap.  She could have tested HPV negative all those years but then her immune system got compromised by something (smoking, bad eating habits, etc.) and couldn't hold the HPV back anymore.  

[ibizan]

i had a pap with squamous level one cervical changes 11-06.HPV factor was negative.Bad cells removed!6-07 follow-up pap showed high risk HPV.Oh yes very possible!

[katherine465]

so lets say i do have HPV but it isnt showing up on my pap. what would this mean for me? would the hpv be hurting me in any way if it was going unnoticed? does that just mean its mild/low-risk? if i cant rely on the results am i just gonna be paranoid forever, if theres such a good chance its lying dormant?? i had one risky unprotected encounter. one. and he didnt even ***. how large are my chances?

[ibizan]

No ironclad answer on this..just keep up with the paps!its such a damn tricky virus!it takes YEARS for hpv going untreated to develop in2 cancer.Only a colcopscopy with biopsy can tell the high risk/low risk hpv.all u can do is use condoms when u have sex and keep up with the paps!

[katherine465]

thing is, when i got the normal pap, my boyfriend and i started having sex without condoms (i trust his cleanliness completely). going back to condoms now would be pointless, wouldnt it? coz if i have it, he would too by now, right? (sorry to bombard with questions. but im just not sure how to come to terms with this, especially as this could all by paranoia and i could be perfectly fine.. or might not be.)

[ibizan]

yes going back 2 condoms now pointless..if u have it he has it....don't worry about all the questions its what we're here for!if u haven't been dx'd with hpv .....not much u can do cept keep paps regular and do watch for pain with sex..have read that this can be a warning sign the hpv cells r on the cervix but only gyno can rule in/rule out on this!

[mayflowers]

Katherine, most people have at least one of the hpv's so you're in good company.  Just keep seeing your gyn for regular paps, don't smoke, eat right, and lower stress.  I've learned a lot about it since being diagnosed over a year ago.  Most of the time it doesn't progress to anything bad.  Only abt 5% of the women with hpv will develop any adverse affects from it, however if you are going to be one of those 5%, you need to be proactive about your health.  Good luck with everything.