Question: Is there a way of knowing what strand of High HPV one has?

Question

My doctor told me I have a high strand of HPV but he didn't tell me which one. I don't know if they can tell which one. I know my pap came back normal. However, I was HPV positive HIGH. It is still scarey for me. I have begun to excerise more and take plenty of immune booster and eat well.

I have continued to be a bit depressed since my doctor told me last Thursday. I was diagnosed with genital warts last year September. And now this!!

I wanted to say that I have practiced safe sex...which baffles me how I got this.

Answer 1

Yes you can find out which exact kind or type of HPV you have.

I've asked my doctor about this before and she said it was possible but VERY expensive (like $1,000). And, she said most insurances won't cover it.

So, if you are willing to spend some money then you can find out exactly what kind or kinds of HPV you have. Take care!

Answer 2

The only FDA approved HPV test does not tell us what specific high risk HPV type or types we carry.

Roche has asked the FDA for approval on two HPV tests only can tell us what specific HPV types we carry.

A partner can carry HPV with no visible signs or symptoms and condoms do not provide complete protection against the transmission of the virus. You can acquire an HPV type or types with your first sexual experience if your partner has had a partner before you. It is a common virus that about 50% of the population carries....unfortunately knowing this doesn't make it easier.

A healthy life style does seem to help our body build antibodies to our HPV infection. Eating your greens, limiting alcohol, exercise good sleep hygiene...our bodies’ cell repair in stage 4 sleep and it is often difficult to get good restful sleep when we are under stress.

I wish you well.

Answer 3

Right now there isn't a way to determine which strand of HPV you have. Hopefully in a few years they will have that type of medical breakthrough, but not right now.

Its good that you are trying to be healthy to keep your immune system high. Make sure you get pap smears no more than 6 months apart. My doctor actually schedules me for paps every 4 months because I have high risk HPV too. You have to keep getting checked to make sure your cells aren't becoming cancerous.

Answer 4

There are tests that can determine what HPV strain(s) you have (and your doctor has probably given you the test). Otherwise, we wouldn't know about the existence of various strains! The fact that we do, shows that testing is possible.

If your doctor said you have a high risk strain than s/he will know the type of HPV you have....just ask.

An analysis of available research on the topic has concluded that HPV DNA testing (which will show the strain type) is actually better than a repeat cytology (pap smear) in women who have atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) on Pap smears. The Pan Canadian forum on Cervical screening has recommended HPV DNA testing in this instance.
Co-screening using both the usual Pap smear testing AND HPV DNA testing has been approved in the U.S. for primary screening, but no such recommendation exists in Canada. Access to HPV DNA testing in Canada is limited to certain regions.

If you have external genital warts, HPV DNA testing is not as useful, as they are most likely caused by low risk (non-cancer causing). HPV DNA testing with women who present with LSILS or HSILS is not recommended because of the high prevalence of high risk (cancer-causing) strains in these cases.

To be clear, though, not all high risk strains lead to cancer or even from LSIL to HSIL or from HSIL to cancer.

Answer 5

Hello. If you ask your doctor, he will be able to tell you what strain it is. As far as you having genital warts, that is what HPV is. It sounds like it has either come back if you originally had it treated, or you have picked up a new strain. Make sure you are practicing safe sex, HPV can lead to cancer.

Answer 6

You can still get genital warts because it's not just the shaft of the penis and sperm that can spread it but the area in which the condom does not cover can be infested as well.

I'm sorry for your discovery, but you can ask your doctor what strand you have using the test he already has from you or maybe you'd have to take another, I'm not quite sure.

Answer 7

They said I had HPV as well and I really dont know much about it I do no that you can get that answer from your doctor..I wouldnt be so upset though everything is going to be alright...I think there is actually a vaccine that they might be able to give you..I dont know for sure I would definetly get more info from your doc..My doc told me not be to worried she just wants to do paps every 6 mos to check my cervix..I dont know I havent looked into it any further..I guess I should well good luck.. I just wanted to add in comment to one of your answers you recived HPV is not nessarly mean genitial warts...I dont have them and my doctor did not even metion them to me..She said that it greaters your chances for cancer...It depends on what strand you have..thats to all the people out there who jump so quick to answer questions they have no clue about..That makes me crazy when people do that...