Diagnosed with HPV

[jonathon882001]

I would like some advice, my wife's pap test came back abnormal. Her gyn did a test and found out she has hpv. THe doc said that it was hard to spot because you cant really see it, etc. what does this mean? A sample was taken from inside of her for testing and it came back normal. Does it mean its in the early stages? what can we expect from this virus? i read lots of forums some have symptoms some dont, and never do , etc. would she be able to know what type of hpv she has because the gyn never told us.

I read that most woman dont know they have hpv because they never show any signs of this, but since her pap test came back abnormal and the doc found out she has hpv does that mean she is not most women then? or is the statistic based on that most women dont show symptoms of hpv(warts,abnormal cells, etc)

I hear by age 30 your body will wipe out hpv and cause no symptoms after that is this true?

Is it true what they say that your immune system can help clear out this hpv without causing symptoms? How long after do symptoms appear for a female? Do you have to keep a good immune system in order not to show symptoms and if so what do we need to do?

i read there is a very small chance of your cells turning cancerous on your cervix or anywhere else hpv affects you is this correct?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sorry, you need to do a bit of reading and research.  All those questions have been asked and answered many times on this forum, and also are addressed in the article on HPV/warts that you can find in the link STD Quick Facts and Articles on the STD Forum home page.  Read that and the other threads, then come back if you still have questions.  It's just too tiring for me to take the time and energy at the keyboard to say the same things for the umpteenth time!  I hope you understand.

But not to leave you totally hanging, some bottom lines:  almost all sexually active persons get HPV, some people are just unlucky enough for it to cause warts or for the virus to persist to have it diagnosed by pap smear; only rare infections progress to cancer, even without treatment, and the likelihood of a serious outcome is almost zero if your wife follows her gyn's recommendations for management; almost all infections are asymptomatic and go away by themselves; you might or might not still be infected, but if so, nothing bad will come of it; and there is nothing you can do to "keep a good immune system" (apart from avoiding HIV and cancer!) that will influence the body's response to HPV.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[jonathon882001]

since her pap test showed up abnormal and then it was determined she has hpv with futher testing.. is this considered a symptom? does this mean since it showed up that she will get warts or abnormal cell changes, or does it mean this can go away w/out causing any symptoms? Because you say people that have hpv in most of them it doesnt show up. since it showed up can it go away as well?

since you say almost all infections dont cause symptoms is hpv showing up considered a symptom?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

With few exceptions, the pap abnormality and HPV are one in the same; in other words, most pap abnormalities are due to HPV (regardless of whether a specific test for HPV is done or whether it is positive).

"Symptom" means only what a person notices about his/her health status, not what is found on exam or by a lab test.  Most warts are symptomatic; most HPV infections are not.

Please research the suggested resources about your other questions.

HHH, MD

[jonathon882001]

you say warts are asymptomatic but hpv infections are not, what does this mean?

im sorry about all the questions, i have read many forums from different sites but stil have questions i apologize.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I didn't say that (I wrote that most warts are symptomatic, not asymptomatic).  Do the reading.

HHH, MD

[ChicShane]

Doctor you might want to post that HPV FAQ that was on here last month, it would help with multiple posting, I noticed after the HSV faq was put up a lot of the repeat questions disappeared.

[jonathon882001]

is it true that stress and a weak immune system can increase your chances of getting symptoms due to HPV? please let me know if this is true.

[Christie2004]

Really, I think you are having an extreme reaction to this.

  Re-read everything HHH said, and follow the links he provided.  This is an EXTREMELY COMMON condition and the vast, vast majority of times nothing EVER comes of it.

Don't get yourself worked up over this.  Virtually every sexually active person has had an HPV infection.  

[ggazoo]

I have a question about the  immune system. I've read on this site (and elsewhere) that the immune system will more than likely eliminate the virus from the body on its own, usually within 1-2 years, give or take.

If you get infected with HPV more than once, will the immune system eradicate the virus again?

[jonathon882001]

Doctor does stress play a part on hpv and can this play a role in weather you show symptoms or not?


again christie ive read all the information on this so please stop asking me to read it again. i am asking the doctor questions that concerns me. thank you.

thanks for your help.