How soon can HPV show up? - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

SPORT46 · 07-10-2007, 07:36 PM

I'm just wondering how long from getting the virus, could it show up in a test? If I had unprotected sex 2 weeks ago for example, could a test today show it?

FromSqueaky · 07-10-2007, 08:01 PM

Sport are you asking if you had sex 2 weeks ago you want to know if HPV would show up? If so the answer is probably not. People can have it for years before it ever becomes active. For women it's found through pap smears.

SPORT46 · 07-11-2007, 08:38 PM

I meant how long before it will show up in a laboratory test? If I contracted a type of HPV say a month ago, not knowing it, but the doctor sent a sample to the lab for HPV testing, would it show up?

Thisby · 07-11-2007, 09:22 PM

Send a sample of what? How do you think they test for HPV?
If you have visible warts, they do the vinegar test, and the result is immediate - warts can show up from a few days to weeks (months) later.
If you mean from a PAP test, I have no idea how long it takes for the cells to start changing on your cervix for it to show up on a PAP but I'm thinking a month might not be long enough (really not sure though).