Hi Sarah,

I'm not an expert but I think that HPV can stay dormant in the body for years, so it could have been transmitted early in your life and never given any signals it was there. HPV is serious because it can cause cancer of the uterus.

You say your smear test didn't show any abnormal cells, so that means all is good and healthy, you don't have cancer. But since HPV can lead to cancer, you have a high risk of developing it in future, but it doesn't mean that you will. Some people do others don't.

I don't know how quick the HPV could develop into cancer but if you do a test every year you should be OK, please check with a nurse or doctor. I don't know if it is possible to cure HPV completely. There is a vaccine for tens now, but that was not the case years ago.

If you are not happy with your doctor's advice you have the right to seek a second opinion. The Macmillan Trust can also help with medical advice, they have a free phone line. Or you could ring the number below to ask the nurses here more questions.

Hope this is helpful. All the best!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I am very grateful. I will speak to my gp or nurse as soon as I am able, I feel so awful that my smear test was rather overdue though I guess prior to this one only reason cells would have been looked at if they were normal then. I wouldn't feel so worried if I had been sexually active in recent years as I'd feel reassurance that most infections clear within it says 1-2 years, it just feels a little pointless waiting for another year to see as it states if my immune system will clear it when I know that it must be a persistent infection because it has to have been so long since exposure. I didn't realise there was any change in the way they processed smear results and got a really awful shock seeing the hpv positive result and then all the information saying it usually clears in 24 months but for some it can persist and this then results in cell changes, I can't seem to find any percentage or risk that says of those with a persistent infection x amount is likely to cause changes. Once again thank you so much for your kind words. S x

Thats good to know, thank you for posting

I was 43 and had normal smears but HPV for 2 years (I had 2 yearly smears) which the doctors said would clear itself. Also same partner for 10 years.

A few months after my normal smear I had vaginally bleeding and was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year. I didn't know at the time but 20% of women have a normal smear and cervical cancer.
Please if you can make an appointment to investigate this further by having a biopsy. You may have to go private but it will be worth it for your piece of mind.

I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy for a reoccurrence I wish I did something about my HPV sooner.

Hi, 

I'm so lost. I'm 25 years old and I've had the same sexual partner since I was 16. I didn't have sexual relations with anyone before then and neither did he. I've just been for my first smear and been told I've tested positive for HPV. 
I don't understand how this could have happened. I trust my partner completely and know it isn't due to them cheating. 
I just don't know what to think...

Hi Sunflower

HPV is passed through genital contact, but that doesn’t mean you had to have had penetrative sex..so it is possible to contract the virus through other kinds of sexual contact either of you may have had with anyone prior to your own relationship starting... but if neither of you has ever had any type of sexual contact with anyone...no touching another person ever in any way, then I’m sorry, I’m not sure how you could have contracted the virus. Hopefully your smear result has not identified any abnormal cells. 

Hiya All

Can anyone Help as I'm riddled with Worry

My Partner now Husband and I got together 13 Years ago, One Year into Our Relationship I had a Smear Test which was all Clear, 12 years later I have Recently had a Smear Test and I am HPV Positive, We have only been Sexually Active with each other, how could this be possible?

Hi Reidy

Have neither of you at any point in your lives had any kind of sexual contact with any other person? I don’t just mean penetrative sex, I’m talking about any contact at all. I’m only aware of HPV being passed by genital contact (which doesn’t just mean actual sex)  so I’m afraid I can’t answer your question if you say categorically that neither of you had any kind of contact with anyone. 

I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about HPV as it’s such a common virus to have, and so long as it does not cause any abnormal cells, it should not impact on your life in any way. And being part of the screening programme ensures that you are monitored for any changes. 

Hiya There

Thankyou for Your Reply

Yes Both of Us have had Previous Sexual Partners in the past but that was over 13 Years Ago before we got together, The Worrying thing is I had a Smear test 1 Year into Our Relationship and it came back Clear so have I now got this Result when we only been with each other since ???

It’s because once you have the virus you will always have it but it can go through dormant and active phases. When it’s dormant you will test negative for HPV and when it’s active you will test positive. 

So, you could have had the virus for years and it has only shown up now because it has previously been dormant. There is no way to tell when or from who you contracted the virus, so it could have been from your current partner or a previous one. This virus literally can lie dormant for decades in your system-it’s the most commonly transmitted STI in the world. 

Hi i am looking for some advice. In 2011 i had abnormal smear which meant i had a colposcomy. During the the exam the dr said i had a wart on my cervix and back to 3 yearly smears. No mention of hpv and no other issues untill february. My smear was a year overdue due to covid backlog and the results came back hpv positive with no abnormal cells.. read some forums including this one and relaxed a little. Fast forward to end of june and i have found flat growths in my pubic area where i would usually shave. Mostly next to hair follicles. I visited the gp and she didnt think it was genital warts. But i have made myself ill reading online so went to the sexual health clinic. They agreed one or 2 of the growths resembled GW and treated them with cryotherapy. I am due back this week for follow up but have noticed 2 more growths i think may have been missed. I am anxious all day every day and dont think i will settled untill i have a full examination down there. But i cant get any one to take my concerns seriously. My gp wants to give me diazepam for my anxiety. Why wont she just do a pelvic exam? And how can i get this done other than my GP or a refferal from her

Hi

There are many different strains of HPV, some high risk and some low risk. High risk strains can cause abnormal cervical cells, but these are different strains to those which are responsible for genital warts.

It is perfectly possible to carry more than one strain of HPV. Having genital warts doesn’t mean you will ever have abnormal cervical cells, and it’s good that you have had a recent clear smear test. 

I’m surprised you didn’t get the wart on your cervix treated when it was found-do you know why it wasn’t removed then? I would mention the other growths you have found when you go for your cryotherapy follow up. Can the sexual health clinic help with getting you a further examination to put your mind at rest? 

Hi

There are many different strains of HPV, some high risk and some low risk. High risk strains can cause abnormal cervical cells, but these are different strains to those which are responsible for genital warts.

It is perfectly possible to carry more than one strain of HPV. Having genital warts doesn’t mean you will ever have abnormal cervical cells, and it’s good that you have had a recent clear smear test. 

I’m surprised you didn’t get the wart on your cervix treated when it was found-do you know why it wasn’t removed then? I would mention the other growths you have found when you go for your cryotherapy follow up. Can the sexual health clinic help with getting you a further examination to put your mind at rest?