recently diagnosed

[zenith80]

i've recently had an abnormal pap, that tested positive for HPV. the problem is that in my last relationship (he had hpv when i found out i was pregnant) i tested negative, it's been over a year....i've had relations (since we parted ways a year and a half ago) with other guys and used protection i am now showing synptoms. the question- is it normal for them to appear a year or so later? if it's rare that HPV is contracted orally, does anyone know of pictures of it? i'm researching all i can about HPV, but having a hard time finding picture to compare. there are plenty showing large warts and small but no in between.

i'm in the begining stages of this diagnosis, and am a little freaked out thus i've contacted anyone i've recently been invovled with and let them know. it seems to me that the guy(s) aren't worried about it because it's uncommon for them to show synptoms (unlike my ex that showed them).

thank you in advance to anyone who can help me get more educated on how i'm going to have to live with this, and have any type of relationship in the future.

[SarahB79]

You likely are high... if it tested positive for HPV, because low causes no cell changes and doctors don't test for it.  

But don't let that cause you alarm... just follow up with another pap or colposcopy if that's what your doctor recommends.  

[zenith80]

thank you for the info......now i'm trying to figure out if i'm low or high. i knew there was high and low but i needed to hear info in layman terms. some of the sites are a little confusing. thanks again.

[SarahB79]

Ok, here's the skinny.  HPV comes in many forms and strains.  As for sexually transmitted HPV there are two groups.  Low Risk and High Risk.  Low risk almost always is a strain that causes genital warts.  These can also spread orally and anally.  The High Risk variety shows no symptoms physically that you can see or feel.   A pap smear is the only way to find out that there are changes to your cervical cells which can be caused by HPV high risk category.  The reason they call it high risk is because it CAN change the cells of your cervix.  Often those changes resolve on their own as the body fights the virus, but other times, the cells continue to mutate and can become cancerous which shows the importance of regular pap smears.  

HPV can lay dormant for many years.  1 year is actually on the low end.  Mine was about 5 years that I know of... but it really could have been more like 14 if it was from my previous relationship.  Men show no signs when they have high risk strain of HPV.  They are just a carrier of a virus.  

If you aren't in a monogamous relationship, I would suggest getting the gardisil vaccine.  It will protect you from other strains in the future.