weepingalone
04-19-2008, 02:51 PM
I have just found out I have high risk HPV - and that my partner infected me. I still want to date this person - is that safe?
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Shshi
04-19-2008, 10:38 PM
Sure, the damage has aleady been done, so why not? You can't catch it again, once you've had it, or at least not the same strain. As long as you both remain monogamous, you should be okay.
weepingalone
04-20-2008, 11:14 AM
My doctor says that I shouldn't be so gloom-doom; in a year or so my immune system could take care of the HPV virus - but can my immune system still fight it if I stay with my partner who likely gave me the virus in the first place?
Shshi
04-20-2008, 11:24 AM
Yes, your immune system can fight off the virus within six months to two years, even if (and especially if) you stay with the same partner. Since it's the same strain that your partner has, you won't be exposed to any different strains in the meantime, and you won't re-catch the same strain from your partner, as your immune system will build up defenses against it.
So, I'd say your prognosis is excellent! :)
So, I'd say your prognosis is excellent! :)
weepingalone
04-20-2008, 04:55 PM
That sounds reassuring...so if my immune system can fight the virus, then does this mean that I always have the virus? (it simply becomes inactive but can become active at any time?) and is it possible to get different strains from my partner?
Shshi
04-20-2008, 08:41 PM
If your body fights off the virus, then you no longer will have it. Also, if you and your partner are monogomous, then you won't catch other strains. Only if your partner is with someone else could you be introduced to new strains.
Caliyogagirl
04-20-2008, 10:34 PM
If your body fights off the virus, then you no longer will have it. Also, if you and your partner are monogomous, then you won't catch other strains. Only if your partner is with someone else could you be introduced to new strains.
That's incorrect information. Because you aren't showing symptoms of HPV, it doesn't mean that your body has gotten rid of the virus altogether. It's basically just dormant (not showing any symptoms of the virus). It also doesn't mean you aren't at risk for infecting others. It's the same thing with herpes (which is also a virus)--because a person isn't having an outbreak (not showing any visible sores) it also doesn't mean they can't pass on the virus to someone else.
That's incorrect information. Because you aren't showing symptoms of HPV, it doesn't mean that your body has gotten rid of the virus altogether. It's basically just dormant (not showing any symptoms of the virus). It also doesn't mean you aren't at risk for infecting others. It's the same thing with herpes (which is also a virus)--because a person isn't having an outbreak (not showing any visible sores) it also doesn't mean they can't pass on the virus to someone else.
Caliyogagirl
04-20-2008, 10:44 PM
My doctor says that I shouldn't be so gloom-doom; in a year or so my immune system could take care of the HPV virus - but can my immune system still fight it if I stay with my partner who likely gave me the virus in the first place?
I don't know who your doctor is but they are giving you false information. Yes, your body could fight it and not show "signs" but that does not mean your body has magically rid your body of the virus.
I was diagnosed with HPV at 21. I'm now 36 and was with the same partner for seven years and did not have multiple partners when I became single (and when I did have sex, it was safe sex). I've had abnormal pap smears, biopsies, pre-cancerous cells, and a lot of issues with my HPV. However, I have led a very healthy lifestyle over the years (take yoga, eat healthy, don't smoke, don't drink a lot, etc) and my pap smears came back negative for a long time and the HPV virus was not showing up. However, it showed up again a few years ago (and I was not having sex at the time). I had a lot of stress during that time in my life and it probably resurfaced because my body was run down at the time.
So I don't want you to be misled by your doctor and other people--yes, your body could fight it but it doesn't mean it's just going to go away and that you won't have the virus. It might go into a dormant state.
Also, if your partner infected you with HPV and he didn't tell you about it (unless he was unawaredof it) I would also get tested for other STDs (herpes can remain dormant and so can other STDs).
I'm also not sure if you have internal or external symptoms. Either way, even if you don't have external symptoms for a few years it doesn't mean you are magically cured.
HPV is very common and I wouldn't worry too much. Just stay on top of your pap smears and don't smoke or treat your body poorly. If you stay in good health, I'm sure you probably won't show any symptoms.
I don't know who your doctor is but they are giving you false information. Yes, your body could fight it and not show "signs" but that does not mean your body has magically rid your body of the virus.
I was diagnosed with HPV at 21. I'm now 36 and was with the same partner for seven years and did not have multiple partners when I became single (and when I did have sex, it was safe sex). I've had abnormal pap smears, biopsies, pre-cancerous cells, and a lot of issues with my HPV. However, I have led a very healthy lifestyle over the years (take yoga, eat healthy, don't smoke, don't drink a lot, etc) and my pap smears came back negative for a long time and the HPV virus was not showing up. However, it showed up again a few years ago (and I was not having sex at the time). I had a lot of stress during that time in my life and it probably resurfaced because my body was run down at the time.
So I don't want you to be misled by your doctor and other people--yes, your body could fight it but it doesn't mean it's just going to go away and that you won't have the virus. It might go into a dormant state.
Also, if your partner infected you with HPV and he didn't tell you about it (unless he was unawaredof it) I would also get tested for other STDs (herpes can remain dormant and so can other STDs).
I'm also not sure if you have internal or external symptoms. Either way, even if you don't have external symptoms for a few years it doesn't mean you are magically cured.
HPV is very common and I wouldn't worry too much. Just stay on top of your pap smears and don't smoke or treat your body poorly. If you stay in good health, I'm sure you probably won't show any symptoms.
weepingalone
04-21-2008, 12:23 AM
Yes, my doctor was referring to the dormant aspect of the virus. My partner is away on holiday so I have not told him about this yet - will do when he gets back. I don't think he knows he passed the virus on to me, or if he knows what HPV is. I have read most people don't even know they have it - and it's harder to diagnose in men than women. I have also read online that there is no way of knowing for how long someone has had HPV. I could have had it for some time and only now it shows up. I have had good pap smears in the past, but that is not necessarily a sign that I didn't have HPV. My doctor thinks my current partner passed it on to me because I have only recently been in an intimate relationship after a very, very long time.
I haven't found the words, the right words, to bring this up when he gets back. I am devastated. I know this isn't HIV but I feel like I've been handed the worst news ever. I have been among the few fortunate to never have anything wrong with me medically. This is all so much to take in. I don't know what you mean by internal/external symptoms - what are the symptoms? this is news to me. Everything I have read on HPV clearly states that there are no symptoms (with high risk HPV that is; I know low risk deals with warts but I don't have that) With an abnormal pap smear, I am scheduled to have a biopsy - scared to death. How did you deal with the news of pre-cancerous cells? the thought of having a virus that could give me cervical cancer scares me more than I can express in words.
I haven't found the words, the right words, to bring this up when he gets back. I am devastated. I know this isn't HIV but I feel like I've been handed the worst news ever. I have been among the few fortunate to never have anything wrong with me medically. This is all so much to take in. I don't know what you mean by internal/external symptoms - what are the symptoms? this is news to me. Everything I have read on HPV clearly states that there are no symptoms (with high risk HPV that is; I know low risk deals with warts but I don't have that) With an abnormal pap smear, I am scheduled to have a biopsy - scared to death. How did you deal with the news of pre-cancerous cells? the thought of having a virus that could give me cervical cancer scares me more than I can express in words.
siggel
04-21-2008, 02:28 AM
That's incorrect information. Because you aren't showing symptoms of HPV, it doesn't mean that your body has gotten rid of the virus altogether. It's basically just dormant (not showing any symptoms of the virus). It also doesn't mean you aren't at risk for infecting others. It's the same thing with herpes (which is also a virus)--because a person isn't having an outbreak (not showing any visible sores) it also doesn't mean they can't pass on the virus to someone else.
I agree with the above and just wanted to add that it is also incorrect to say that "only if your partner is with someone else would you be exposed to another strain" It can lie dormant in your body or your partners body for years. So HPV is not an indicator that someone strayed. It's just an indicator that the virus is now active. Don't let that determination be made by anything but your gut and your trust level.
I agree with the above and just wanted to add that it is also incorrect to say that "only if your partner is with someone else would you be exposed to another strain" It can lie dormant in your body or your partners body for years. So HPV is not an indicator that someone strayed. It's just an indicator that the virus is now active. Don't let that determination be made by anything but your gut and your trust level.
Shshi
04-21-2008, 02:39 AM
That's incorrect information. Because you aren't showing symptoms of HPV, it doesn't mean that your body has gotten rid of the virus altogether. It's basically just dormant (not showing any symptoms of the virus). It also doesn't mean you aren't at risk for infecting others. It's the same thing with herpes (which is also a virus)--because a person isn't having an outbreak (not showing any visible sores) it also doesn't mean they can't pass on the virus to someone else.
Actually, according to most resources on the subject, your immune system can totally rid the body of the HPV infection. In some cases, it may lie dormant in your body, but the immune system most certainly can totally fight off the virus as well. I was not giving her incorrect information, just trying to help her to see that HPV is not a death sentence, and that there is hope that her immune system may deal with the virus.
How did you deal with the news of pre-cancerous cells? the thought of having a virus that could give me cervical cancer scares me more than I can express in words.
I was diagnosed in 2005 with moderate and severe dysplasia, then in 2007 with cervical carcinoma in situ (cancer which hasn't spread yet.) I've had countless colposcopies and biopsies, and finally laser surgery a year ago. It is very scary to go through, but fortunately, cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer has a high treatment success rate if caught early.
Hang in there. You're not alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you that everything will be normal.
Big hugs,
Lisa
Actually, according to most resources on the subject, your immune system can totally rid the body of the HPV infection. In some cases, it may lie dormant in your body, but the immune system most certainly can totally fight off the virus as well. I was not giving her incorrect information, just trying to help her to see that HPV is not a death sentence, and that there is hope that her immune system may deal with the virus.
How did you deal with the news of pre-cancerous cells? the thought of having a virus that could give me cervical cancer scares me more than I can express in words.
I was diagnosed in 2005 with moderate and severe dysplasia, then in 2007 with cervical carcinoma in situ (cancer which hasn't spread yet.) I've had countless colposcopies and biopsies, and finally laser surgery a year ago. It is very scary to go through, but fortunately, cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer has a high treatment success rate if caught early.
Hang in there. You're not alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you that everything will be normal.
Big hugs,
Lisa
weepingalone
04-21-2008, 09:08 AM
I appreciate the voice of hope. I read on-line that people who have HPV should still consider the vaccine (Gardisil sp?) because it can protect against other strains. Thoughts on this? My doctor says it's only avail for girls 9-26 of age, for girls who have not yet had sex, but if it can help protect me from other strains, shouldn't I push to have this?
roxyroxyr
04-21-2008, 11:02 AM
most definently. even if you've had sex, you can still protect yourself against other/new strains. if (but hopefully not) you or your boyfriend should split up, or something related, you can protect yourself against other strains you may be introduced to. I wish you the best, and best of luck!
sam76
04-22-2008, 07:43 AM
It's irritating when people say with absolute knowledge that HPV does NOT ever leave your body. My doctor and most of my female friends' doctors have all told us the same thing - that if you have a healthy immune system, your body should expel the virus on its own. I think a lot of people are mislead in believing that any virus "stays with you for life," but that sounds much worse than it is. That could mean any number of things... such as that a strain will always be there in your system to maintain immunity. It doesn't mean you'll have outbreaks for the rest of your life or even be contagious after the 2 years. Take a look at chicken pox as an example of a virus that doesn't haunt you for the rest of your life. So why should it be impossible with HPV?
Every resource I've read has said the same thing - that most people will clear the virus within 2 years maximum. And I'm reading credible medical sources.
Every resource I've read has said the same thing - that most people will clear the virus within 2 years maximum. And I'm reading credible medical sources.
weepingalone
04-22-2008, 10:23 AM
I really appreciate your perspective. I am trying to read credible medical online sources as well and be informed - and the line that I have written down for myself [from one of these sources] as a way of staying positive about recently learning that I have this virus is this: "with a healthy immune system, most people who become infected with HPV can eliminate the virus from their body - with or without treatment - within 3 years (the average is about 9 to 13 months). Most women who get an HPV infection do not [bold face] develop cervical cancer."
I think the reason my body was susceptible to HPV is because I just finished graduate school - which really, really compromised my immune system. I have not dated or been in an intimate relationship for 7 years and then, when I finally meet someone who really makes my head turn, and I think - finally, I'm getting my social and happy life back - I get the virus.
I am being realistic - my biopsy in May could lead to more tests, and what I have read online about other women's testimonials I realise this is a possibility - but maybe not, at least not in the immediate future. I am also trying to stay positive because I know a positive mind is a powerful thing. I appreciate the informed information coming my way.
In response to the person who said that I should get the Gardasil vaccine anyway to protect myself against other strains - the research that I have been reading suggests that women who get the vaccine after being infected can sometimes augment pre-cancerous cell growth - therefore being counterproductive. The vaccine is really only good for women/girls who have not yet had a sexual encounter - or that is what I understand. I'm still reading to learn about the effect of the vaccine once, and if, you no longer have HPV. Although I would imagine this would be difficult to measure because I have read that it is easier to test if you have HPV, harder to test if you do not. [if you do not, this could mean one of two things: your immune system rid the body of the virus OR the virus is dormant/inactive].
I think the reason my body was susceptible to HPV is because I just finished graduate school - which really, really compromised my immune system. I have not dated or been in an intimate relationship for 7 years and then, when I finally meet someone who really makes my head turn, and I think - finally, I'm getting my social and happy life back - I get the virus.
I am being realistic - my biopsy in May could lead to more tests, and what I have read online about other women's testimonials I realise this is a possibility - but maybe not, at least not in the immediate future. I am also trying to stay positive because I know a positive mind is a powerful thing. I appreciate the informed information coming my way.
In response to the person who said that I should get the Gardasil vaccine anyway to protect myself against other strains - the research that I have been reading suggests that women who get the vaccine after being infected can sometimes augment pre-cancerous cell growth - therefore being counterproductive. The vaccine is really only good for women/girls who have not yet had a sexual encounter - or that is what I understand. I'm still reading to learn about the effect of the vaccine once, and if, you no longer have HPV. Although I would imagine this would be difficult to measure because I have read that it is easier to test if you have HPV, harder to test if you do not. [if you do not, this could mean one of two things: your immune system rid the body of the virus OR the virus is dormant/inactive].
roxyroxyr
04-23-2008, 10:08 AM
well after I was diagnosed with hpv my doctor told me that I should get the vaccine, but after what you told me, I'm glad I waited.
weepingalone
05-18-2008, 11:59 AM
I had the colposcopy almost two weeks ago now; one biopsy came back mild, the second moderate dysplasia. I am meeting with a new gyn tomorrow to discuss treatment options. My general gp who performed the biopsy said laser surgey is not that reliable and that the gyn will likely want to do the LEEP or cone biopsy procedure. I also read online that those two procedures are invasive and not always necessary, that laser is less invasive and usually better. So who am I supposed to trust? believe? I am fightened to the core; I have never been ill and I come from a long line of healthy people on both sides so all of this news in the last 5 weeks has drained me. What can you tell me about the laser treatment? and did this occur in the office or out-patient at the hospital? was it quick?