Does HPV stay in your body for life?

Question

I have just recently been diagnosed as having high risk HPV. I also have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). I am worried about how this is going to affect my life. How long does HPV stay in your body for? Is there a cure? And most importantly, how do I tell my family? Please help.

Answer 1

HPV is a virus. Currently there is no medication you can take to make it go away; your body has to do that itself. It is also important to realize that the HPV vaccination will do you no good at this point; you already have the virus, and vaccinations are for prevention only. HPV can sit dormant in your body for many years before it becomes active and diagnosed. The average amount of time it takes the average person's immune system to clear HPV is 2 years, though it can take more or less time depending on your immune system. Also, realize that the likelihood that your HPV will develop into cervical cancer is quite low. However, do go for follow-up exams as your doctor recommends--it's much better to be safe than sorry.

As for telling your family...well, that's really hard to give you advice on, because it's a very individual thing. I'm in my late-30s, and I am a very direct person, so when I was diagnosed with high risk HPV I just flat out told them and gave them the facts so they wouldn't worry. That may not be your way. Whatever the case, I'd make sure you have facts available for them, because they may have questions. Some reliable sites you can visit would include: http://www.thehpvtest.com/index.html (you can navigate to the appropriate locations for you) and http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_hpv.cfm (this is divided into many sections; I tried to get you past their promo materials and to the facts section for you).

Realize that HPV is a very common disease. Make sure you visit your doctor regularly (I go for an exam every 3 months) until your body clears the virus. Most importantly, talk with your doctor if you have any further questions. He/She is your best source of information about this topic, and he/she knows your situation the best and will know how or even if the HPV will have any impact on your PCOS. Remember that there is no such thing as a silly/stupid question when it comes to your health, well-being, and peace of mind.

I hope this has helped you. I also hope that all goes well with you!

Answer 2

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience with the creep. Of course it can't be undone but I don't want you to worry much about the HPV virus. There are two aspects, generally speaking. While there are many - about 100- strains of the virus, about 30 of them can be transmitted sexually (I'm a bit hesitant to use the word in this context since it wasn't the "sex" but an assault that happened to you, but I'm sure you understand what I mean). Anyway, of those 30 or so there are a handful of particularly common strains. Some of those cause warts (just as other non sexually transmitted strains cause finger warts, Plantar's warts, etc) - however *different* ones can cause cervical cancer down the line. You have the wart causing type but I urge you to have regular Pap smear tests (every woman should anyway) because you might have been infected with a cancer causing strain as well. IF that's the case, early detection results in a very high survival rate; late detection is the opposite.Also note that not all women who get the "high risk", cancer causing type will go on to develop dysplasia (altered cevical cellular changes) and not all who do have dysplasia go on to develop cervical cancer. There's no particular reason to believe you may have been infected with a high risk strain but be vigilant anyway. Now as for the "forever" aspect. Yes, the virus is technically in your body forever but, just as with many other types of virus, a healthy immune system will knock it down and keep it down. Suppressing the virus can take up to 2 years with a healthy immune system. Can the warts come back? They might- if you look after yourself with a healthy life style, diet, exercise etc. your immune system will keep the virus suppressed and you may never see the warts again. I hope that you have had all the standard STD tests and will follow up with any recommended by your doctor over the next year.

Answer 3

HPV will always be with you. While it may not always be evident, it will always be in your cells. Your immune surveillance system often can fight off a flare up. But not always. When pregnant (if you can become due to PCO) of otherwise immunosuppressed by illness or medicine you can experience an outbreak.
HPV is significant in some women developing cervical cancer. It is too late for you to receive the vaccine. You should have regular gynecologic care with pap smears. Also practice safe sex. You will be protecting your partner from HPV and protecting yourself from potential disease from your partner.
Why do you want to tell your family?

Answer 4

Hmmm I can't remember if it stays in your body for life, but I do know it sticks around for a long time, which is why you need to get papsmears every 6 months- a year to keep on top of it. Not only that HPV can cause sterility not to mention cervical cancer (which is what the high risk HPV is referring to), and well....PCOS also causes sterility =\.

Answer 5

Only your sex partner(s) need to know about your HPV, so I'm not sure if you mean telling your kids or parents or what, but it's not going to affect your life in a way that is obvious to anyone.

There is recent research that some people's bodies can fully irradicate HPV in time, although you should count on having it forever. There is no known "cure".

Answer 6

HPV is for human papilloma virus, also called venereal warts. You can probably feel the warts with your hand.
Viral diseases are like mumps, measles, etc., and they run their course. Herpes viruses are different, in that they take up residence in a nerve and come out whenever you get tired or run down. Warts eventually disappear - unless they mutate into cancer.

Answer 7

HPV is a STD
cure?... I know they generally do cervical freeze to get rid of it... and men can carry it without any outside signs... so be careful, and use a condom, would be the best suggestion

Answer 8

Unfortunately the answer is yes.The Human Papiloma Virus is a sexually transmitted virus and it is a cause of cervical Cancer .However there appears to be a vaccine in the works to protect you from this Virus.Until then the answer is Yes and it is very contagious .Play Safe

Answer 9

tell them that you have it they won't be mad if you just tell them and i think it only lasts about a few weeks

Answer 10

read this link it should help you


http://www.healthandhpv.com/