Hi Driverqueen

Hpv testing on a smear is looking for high risk HPV, which MAY cause abnormal cells. These strains do not cause genital warts, which are caused by low risk HPV strains, so the 2 are not connected. There are over 100 different strains of hpv, and most never cause issues. It is of course possible to have more than one strain of HPV at the same time, but the specific strain number is not so important, other than knowing it is a high risk one, which it is if you’ve tested positive on an HPV test at a smear. You’re right in saying smears are very important to identify if you have a high risk strain, but for the vast majority of people even having high risk HPV will never become a problem. The positive thing for you is that no abnormal cells have been detected. As you say, you can live a completely normal life with HPV. Most people who have it will never know they do, unless they have had a test. All the best with your further tests. x

im so relieved to have found this forum and know i'm not alone. i got my smear results back on Monday and im the same..no abnormal cells but HPV positive. i've been in tears all week. i'm now paranoid about everything and i have had a slight sore throat for a few weeks so of course i've googled HPV and  mouth cancer and then checked the back of my mouth and i have discovered i've got a weird painless ulcer at the back of my mouth that you can't see unless i open my mouth wide and push my tongue down. i'm mortified, terrified and ive gone private to book a doctor appointment as i feel sick and paranoid that i might have oral cancer how can they just send a letter informing us we are HPV positive and wave us along the way simply telling us to wait another year like it's all hunky dory i'm sorry it's not they need to educate us!

Hi Tash

One thing I would definitely agree about is there needs to be more education about HPV so people don’t spend time being so scared and worried. Although reading google is not a good idea as you’ve found! Being HPV positive in itself is really not an issue and for the vast majority of people it doesn’t cause a problem-it hasn’t for you because you don’t have abnormal cervical cells.

It is entirely possible to develop an HPV in different areas of the body, such as the mouth, or anus, but it’s not something I have ever given any thought to. I have never been told I have HPV, but had an HPV related cancer so I guess it was a foregone conclusion! We can spend our lives worrying about something that is highly unlikely, and go looking for symptoms and problems where there are none, or we can get on with living. 

If it will reassure you to have the private appointment, then it will be worth it for you, and I hope everything will be fine. Hopefully then you will be able to move on with your life and not spend your time in a panic over a virus carried by almost every single sexually active person in the world.

Hi all,

im so glad I found this forum. I had my first smear test at 32 in October 21 and didn't hear from the gp since so I assumed it was fine until I went through my mail this morning and found a letter from few weeks ago saying I have positive HPV with no abnormal cells and inviting me to another smear in 1 year.

I was really shocked and confused. I only recently lost my virginity this year in April and have slept with the same person twice - most recently in august and we had used condoms on both occasion. I don't understand how I picked this up and feel so awful. 

Hi Kikiwi

You can pick up the virus the very first time you have sex, and unfortunately condoms do not offer 100% protection. It just needs genital contact to be passed on, so it will have come from the person you slept with.

In itself, it’s not a cause for concern unless the virus is causing any abnormal cell changes and in your case this hasn’t been the case. It is standard procedure for you to have another smear test in a year’s time. Having the virus doesn’t mean you will ever have abnormal cells, far less ever develop cancer, and the screening programme is designed to catch any cell changes at an early stage. Just make sure you attend your screening appointments and please don’t spend your life worrying about this. 

Hi 

i am due to go for my 3rd smear as last two have been hpv positive no abnormal cells. However about 15 years ago i had borderline cell changes which now makes me worried that my 3rd result will have some changes 

has anyone been for a third a the result be clear? Im jot sure why my body isnt clearing it but only recently have i been taking supplements because i thought by the 2nd test my body would just clear it. I comsider myself quite healthy and dont smoke but im definitely a worrier and this is not helping

Hi

It’s very possible that you could have a clear result with negative HPV. The virus goes through phases of being active and dormant, and you seem to be doing the best you can to keep it dormant by being healthy and taking supplements. That’s really all you can do. 

Some people do have persistent HPV, but having the virus in itself is not the issue. The point is to be vigilant about attending screening appointments to check for early cell changes. 

So, last month I tested positive for HPV, no abnormal cells, for the third year in a row.  Apparently it's protocol that after three positive results you get referred for colposcopy.  I went for this procedure today and would like to reassure anyone who feels nervous/scared/even terrified (like me!) that it was much better than expected.  The nurses were so friendly and distracted me brilliantly.  I had a biopsy but I can honestly say I felt nothing, the colposcopist was very gentle and it was actually more comfortable to sit in a reclining chair than lie flat on a bed for a regular smear.  The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes and I'll have my results in 2-3 weeks.

Did you get any advice on probiotics? I have ordered some but it's a minefield of choice out there!!

Hiya, unfortunately no. I've not had any advice :( I had my 2nd smear test and unfortunately that came back positive too but with no abnormalities thankfully.