HPV positive questions…

Hi

Today I received news that my latest smear test has tested positive for HPV, however thankfully with no abnormal cells.  I have no obvious symptoms of having this, so it's come as quite a shock. I split up from my long-term partner in November last year and this was the last time I had sex, so does this mean I've already had this virus since then? If not before?

Also, my immune system isn't the best, I have Crohn's disease and have had to have steroids in the past few years.  I also tend to catch any colds / sniffles quite easily. Can this affect my chances of the HPV clearing up on its own?

I've never smoked and have a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle, but is there anything I can do to better my chances of clearing this up?

Sorry for the long post, my mind is going a million miles a minute with worry. If anyone could give me any advice at all, I'd be extremely grateful

SG x

  • Hi

    Having HPV doesn’t give any signs or symptoms so most people will not know they have it until it causes issues/is identified at a cervical screening test.. There is no way of knowing how long you have had the virus, or where you got it, but it is an extremely common virus encountered by most people who have ever had any sexual contact, not necessarily just penetrative sex. There is no cure for it, but the virus can be active or dormant in your system, and normally your immune system would suppress it. 

    If your immune system is not the best, then unfortunately that can cause the virus to be active but all you can do is exactly as you are doing with your diet and lifestyle choices. Since you do not have any abnormal cells, the virus has not caused you any damage and being part of the cervical screening programme will ensure that any changes which do occur are picked up quickly. Many people have the virus and never have any cell changes.

    I honestly would not spend time worrying about it, since it hasn’t caused you any damage in terms of cell changes. 

  • Thank you for taking the time to reply. After reading your reply I do feel a lot better, and I know my worries must sound trivial when facing a harsher reality yourself.

     

    Thank you again :happy:

  • Not trivial at all if you have concerns! And I am doing well, so no complaints. I’m glad it’s helped to put your mind at rest a little.