Clare 57
07-07-2009, 10:41 AM
Assuming a male partner has HPV and it was not detected in a smear test 3 years ago and then the test from a new smear shows CIN 3 could the HPV virus have been dormant in the body of my partner and only have come out between the 2 smears or should it have been detected in the smear 3 years ago? assuming a monogamous relationship
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Pickle Eyes
07-11-2009, 05:19 PM
It is entirely likely that the virus was there, causing damage for 3 years. It just wasn't detected. This could be because the virus wasn't present OR, more likely, the viral load wasn't high enough to be detected by the test. The pap is only a screening tool, not a definitive test. The pap (or an HPV test) only samples part of the cervix, not all of it.
I hope that helps.
I hope that helps.