HPV is it serious?

Question

My mom just told me that at her last pap her doctor informed her that she came up positive for HPV. This was a couple months ago..and she just "forgot" to tell me. She said they want her to come back in March for another pap. I just want some information... like the chances of it becoming cancer... if March is too far away...

I know I shouldnt worry, but Im pregnant and now freaked out that Im going to lose my mom...

She has been married for 13 years... so if this is a STD how did she suddenly get it? Did she get it from her husband? Does he need to be checked too?

Answer 1

I had the HPV and it turned into precancerous cells on my uterus. They said I got it from my boyfriend and the time, because at my pap before that it was negative. So what they did was do something called a leap procedure. they open you wide "really really wide" and a vinegar type substance inside of you, and all the cells will turn white, then they put this long "pen" like thing in you that has a laser on the end of it that looks like a half moon and start to cut at your uterus and take all the cells off. They will send it into the lab to get it tested. she will go back every 3 months for another pap to test for it again for the next year, after that every six months... I turned out fine.. everything is all good. That is when I was 17.. I am now 21 and married, and pregnant with my first child.

Don't worry, your mom will be absolutly fine! i'm sure the doctor knows what he is doing!

best of luck and god bless


btw, my doctor said it, that a male can carry the HPV all his life and never pass it on, sometimes he can... so it doesn't mean that your moms husband cheated on her.. he could have had it before, then the Virus became active if he was under a lot of stress, then passed it on.

Answer 2

HPV is a very common virus. 40% of all women are said to have it at some point in their life.
With regular pap tests the mortality of HPV is < 1%.
There are two different categories of HPV, high risk and low risk.
High risk HPV can lead to pre-cancerious conditions. Low risk types can cause symptoms such as genital warts.
There are approx. 30 strains of HPV that affect the geneital area.
Strains 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81 are known to be low risk.
Strains 8, 16, 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, 58, 39, 51, 56, 59, 68, 73, 82, 26, 53, 66 are known to be high risk. These high risk strains are much less common and the low risk strains.

In Summary:
Most people say don't worry about it, it's very rarely fatal.
Your body can learn to fight HPV like other viruses, so it usually clears up on it's own. If it identified as a high risk type that causes pre-cancerous conditions, by a pathological examination, then there are several methods for dealing with the pre-cancerous condition. The most common method is called LEEP(an electric current used to burn or remove the growth with a wire loop).

Answer 3

I understand your concern about your mom, but instead of worrying, be glad she had a pap and has a doctor who is staying on top of things. Now that they know your mom's HPV status, they can be sure to do regular paps to monitor for cervical cancer.

All women are at risk for cervical cancer, the risks are just higher for women who have HPV. This diagnosis is not a death sentence. In fact, now that they will be screening regularly, anything they find that is of concern can be treated right away. Even if it does become cancer (and it may never), they would remove the cervix.

Relax and enjoy your pregnancy AND what sounds like a really special relationship with your mom. Your mom is in good hands with her doctors, I'm sure.

Answer 4

HPV is the human papaloma virus or Genatal warts. VERY VERY VERY common and not at all life thretening. chances are if you have had sexual contact with more than 2 people you have been exposed to HPV. i belive that men are more commonly carriers or the sleepers. they number one have a new vacine that will prevent or take away 4 or the 5 strains of the virus that cause cancer. biggest mistake is to not treat the outbreaks. often what happens is the warts on the cervix look like displasia and cancer however most of the time they are benine and nothing at all,. dont worry she's a big girl and HPV is not serious.. good luck

Answer 5

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. HPV infection is usually diagnosed based on results from an abnormal Pap smear, a primary cancer-screening tool for cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. Another test to diagnose HPV infection detects the HPV DNA, which may indicate possible infection. Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. Most HPV infections do not progress to cervical cancer. If you are a woman with abnormal cervical cells, a Pap smear will detect them. If you have abnormal cervical cells, it is particularly important for you to have regular pelvic exams and Pap smears so you can be treated early, if necessary.

if you want more info on it look up at
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/stdhpv.htm

i hope everything works out and congrats for your baby to be born

Answer 6

There are hundreds of different HPV. Only a few can lead to cancer. That's why she has to go back---to make sure she doesn't develop cancer. As long as she sees the doctor regularly, they can treat her immediately if she should develop pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.

Answer 7

i do believe that hpv can lead to cancer. However it does clear up on it's own. It is an STD so your mother should be very careful.

Answer 8

HPV can be serious. It is a virus, sexually transmitted. It often clears up on its own, but yes, it can lead to cancer.

Answer 9

Dont panic, its been spotted and your mom will be monitored. Look at the link below for info on HPV.

Answer 10

It can turn cancerous but with early detection and proper monitoring she should be fine. I am surprised they didn't want to do a biopsy though to determine if she needs treatment now.