Here's my situation: I have been with the same partner for 5 years. I had 2 other partners before him but I always used condoms with them. My boyfriend now has been with 2 other girls before me. We have a 3 year old and a 1 year old together.
Now the Question: I have been going to the gyno every year since I was 16 (Im 23). Well, I just got the results to my recent PAP smear and it said I have HPV. Can HPV lay dormant for over 5 years? Wouldn't they have found it on my PAP in 5 years?!! With 2 pregnancy with regular visits to the gyno it seems to me that it would have already been caught by now! I have no reason to believe that my boyfriend cheated and I know I have not. I know you all are going to say he cheated. But is there anyway one of us could have contracted it before we started dating and it is just now showing up. This is important so please gimme some serious answers. THANKS!!!
2006-11-06 03:42:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
I already talked to the doctor and they won't tell you how many years it can lay dormant. They just say it can for some years but I just don't know if its common for it to.
2006-11-06 03:49:34 · update #1
My doctor told me that HPV can take years and years to show up as something abnormal on a pap smear. I know for some people they can have positive results right away but I guess for the majority of women who don't have other symptoms is can take years to show up. He actually said it could sometimes take 10-15 years to show up as abnormal cells.
There is a DNA test they can do at the same time as the pap that can tell you if you have HPV (I don't think it specifies as per the particular strain you have). I have read about this test but my doctor hasn't heard of it (Canada).
So I guess many would be quick to tell you your boyfried cheated. I am not saying he didn't, cause let's face it- it happens. But yes, it is possible for you to have had HPV from a previous relationship (or he is a carrier of it with no symptoms from a previous relationship). It's also possible that having 2 children put a strain on your body and it was no longer to keep the virus dormant.
Good luck to you.
2006-11-06 06:16:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im very sorry to tell you but the situation you explained absolving your partner is just not possible, HPV is just not transmitted in that way. He almost certainly (>99.5%) contracted the virus from an outside source during the relationship. It is possible this is not the case but really not reasonably doubtful. If you would like a more thorough explanation email me mcc_md@yahoo.com or more clinical information please do so.
EDIT:
The condition in males is more obvious then females, its honestly rediculous to say he may not have known for the past five years, and even still its likely you would have noticed. Also HPV is screened in PAP since i was in med school over 15 years ago so thats also not a serious explanation.
2006-11-06 11:50:22 · answer #2 · answered by M.C. Clarence, M.D. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People can be born with HPV and Yes you can have it for years without knowing you have it. If I was you I would call my dr's office and ask to speak to a nurse about your recent pap test She will be able to give you better answers then anyone on here.
2006-11-06 11:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by cmsmith114 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm really not sure. However, you should ask your doctor. They would know all the details about the virus, how it can be contracted, if it is one that can stay dormant, etc.
2006-11-06 11:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hpv wasnt an issue in years past, they just started testing for it, this may be the first time youve been tested.
2006-11-06 11:44:56 · answer #5 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not a big deal, 75%+ people have it so odds are one of you two had it in the first place, it dosen't do anything to you so relax,
2006-11-06 12:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋