Chance of mild dysplasia returning

[lacarrie]

I was diagnised with HPV High risk in Nov 08 from abnormal pap smear.Last pap was April06 06, was normal. In Nov. a biopsy said mild dysplasia was told to wait 4 mo. I just got my first pap smear backof normal (March 09). I am 26 and with my husband for 6 yrs, no other partners for 6 yrs. I assume I have has the virus for 6 years and am very confused about my chances of having my body fight off the virus, because I have had it for so long.  I am very confused if the virus was latent for 5 years and caused abmorm. cells in Nov and just founght off the virus, why didmy body take so long to do it, I thoughtmost people do that within 2 yrs and usually have no cell changes. B/c I did does this mean I amlikely to again have dysplasia what are the statistics for re-occurence My doctor said that because I have had it for so long and it just now caused changes that is a good sign, but she is very optimistic and tends to play down my serious concerns.What are the chances abnormalities will reappear assuming I am not reinfected with another strain. Could my husband re-infect me with the same virus or prevent my body from healing it. I had 2 kids, udess alot of rescession stress last falland give my 2 yr old pulmicort and inhalesome while administering it,could it supress my immune system.  Will my body not test negative for Hpv b/c I have had it for so long and what are the chances dysplasia will come back.  what are my chances of dysplasia coming back, I cannot find any statistics, and if it comes back do I have reoccuring HPV, which makes you at a higher risk for cancer. Also has my body cleared itself of HPV, or just the dysplasia and would I still test positive for HPV. Ifyou test negativefor HPV,could you test positive for it later (assumingyou have not been exposed to a different strain.) My doctor didnot reccomed when to follow up for the next smear,are the guideline every 3 months untill 3 normal.Should I get testedfor HPV with my next one too? Thanks for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your note indicates that you are quite concerned over your test result. I would however, approach it somewhat differently and suggest that you should be celebrating.  Nearly all women get HPV infections and in a few these infections progress very slowly, allowing them to be picked up and successfully treated before they advance.  The infection that was detected in you may have been there for years.  Pap smears are not perfect tests but work so very well because the practice of being tested repeated means that, with multiple tests over time, virtually no infections "slip through".

You did not say whether your dysplasia was treated or not but, either way, while a small proportion of dysplasia’s recur, most do not.  You should go on and get a repeat Pap smear about six months following your last one.  HPV testing is not necessary at that time. The important test in your situation is the Pap smear looking for abnormal cells.   That you are likely y to have had the infection for a long period of time should not reduce your very high chance of having had this completely taken care at this time.

Giving your son inhaled steroids does not immunosuppress you or modify your risk for recurrence.  No need to worry about this.

You and your husband do not need to change your sexual activities because of this diagnosis.

Hope these comments help.  EWH