hpv mystery

[female30s]

I am 35/female, always normal pap (12 years in a row), after 30 tested for hpv 4x, always neg; one sexual partner (and i am his only sexual partner as well). Pap smear at postpartum visit normal, but hpv 16 +. Had colposcopy , all normal, had biopsy (just to be on a safe side) with ECC, all benign. What should I think about it? How worried should I be? I am completely devasted. Thank you!

[female30s_update]

if in a monogomous relationship, can the virus reactivated again ?

i have to go for a repeat test in 6 months since they need to see 2 neg hpv before returning to annual exams

[female30s_update]

Thank you Hollyv,

After my neg.colposcopy and biopsy, my dr suggested to come for a repeat pap/hpv in 4- 6 months. I asked if I could come in 3 months because I was extremely anxious and upset about the previous hpv detection (considering that my husband and I had no sexual partners). And I was really curious about hpv being present....
I just got my results back and everything was negative. I am really hoping the result before was a false positive (even though having hr and 16 detected seemed like double positive).Or maybe I got it mysteriously somehow and was able to clear it in such a short time...who knows. I was taking folic acid 800mcg, vitamin C 1000mg, I drank organic tea ...I just don't know.

One thing for sure...what and how I felt during those four months is unimaginable and I  don't wish this on anyone. I will do my best to stay healthy and active and supportive of others who are going through similar stuff. Hollyv thanks again!

[Hollyv]

If you and your partner have never had sex with anyone else then it is more probable that that you had a false positive HPV test. This happens all the time. It is hard to explain but it is more accurate on the negative side. If you are HPV negative you are more apt to be truly negative for HPV (but again there are also some false negatives!!—medicine is not always an exact science nor is this testing). The HPV test is not a very sensitive test which means there are lots of positive HPV results that are negative (no dysplasia) with colposcopy. Remember the HPV test is a screening test not really a diagnostic test (and unless you have a DNA HPV test--one that is matched with the gen bank, it can’t even tell what strain of HPV you have). This means that if you test positive they will want you to have a colposcopy in order to check. In your case your colposcopy tested normal. If there was no dysplasia seen with your colposcopy then it means that—normal. Also in your case it appears that you have been over screened. Women over 30 that have a normal Pap and a negative HPV test that are in a monogamous relationship should only have a Pap and HPV test every three years. You might ask the reason for the 3 year screening and the reason is that over screening can cause results such as yours—No disease but greater chance of lab error, inflammation etc. that result in an HPV positive result or an abnormal Pap result. Your Dr. will now want you to have a Pap every 6 months to a year. And there is virtually little chance of you having HPV. Your Dr. makes more money and so does the lab and all it does is make you worried when you have nothing to worry about. Not sure by your post if this HPV test was the one that was done postpartum. I am also presuming that your test was the HPV 16 & 18 combined that is done in the U.S. If you had a baby within this time then it makes more sense that you have had more Pap’s than what is normally recommended. And while the HPV virus can remain dormant for years that is more the unusual scenario but many physicians prefer to say this instead of admitting the HPV test is not always accurate. For most women a one-time positive HPV test means nothing regarding your health and unfortunately just increases your anxiety when your Dr. is unable to explain it well. It usually means having a colposcopy which can be an uncomfortable procedure and also increases your anxiety. Colposcopy has become a multimillion dollar industry with very few cases of cancer found in the U.S. In your case with no past sexual exposure, the odds are false positive.
Hope this helps—GoodLluck.

[veryworried420]

I had read online reports where doctors have found the virus under infected people's finger nails so anything is possible.  Hand to genital spreading of this virus has to be immediate where the infected person literally uses the same hand on their genitals and then on their partner's genitals. When people have this virus and are having sex, they should take account of all hands and know which hand will touch their partner's genitals and which hand will touch their own genitals.

[female30s]

so if he touches someone's genitals with a hand, it can stay on the hand and then pass it to vagina? not saying that happened just asking

[veryworried420]

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/2925-hpv-infection-sexual-intercourse-teens.html

Not saying that you or your husband had any genital-to-genital, or hand-to-genital contact as teenagers, but here is an article that shows how people can get the disease without sex.

[female30s]

thank you for your post. but i had no other sexual partners nor my husband..that's confuses me

[Totie]

I know exactly how you feel. Really no way of knowing when or by whom exposed you to it. It could have been laying dormant for years.

I am 42yrs & just tested positive for the High Risk HPV & I have had normal pap smears for the last 20yrs...Now yes we both had prior partners prior to being together. We are both adamant to each other that there has been no one else but each other for the last 23yrs.

My gyno told me I could have had it for decades & it just now decided to wake up....I did have a colopscopy & came out okay. But I do have to go back in 3 months for another pap.