Hpv - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

hmt2003 · 11-01-2008, 05:00 PM

What are the chances of HPV coming back. I had warts in 2003 and had surgery to remove them but I'm wondering if the HPV can ever come back?

andiesq70 · 11-03-2008, 07:19 AM

Nobody can give you that answer unfortunately. The virus can lie dormant and 'come out' at anytime. I recently asked my GYN/Oncologist that same question and he gave me the "We don't know" answer. If you've not had a break out since '03 then that is great! It's very frustrating sometimes not knowing or having control over what will happen but trying to stay positive and keep your immune system strong is extremely important! Good luck!

calidreaming · 11-04-2008, 12:33 AM

im curious as well. They say that the body can clear it within a few years. So if she has not had an outbreak in three years, is it safe to say the hpv is gone from her system?

For example if she were to have a new partner NOW, would she say 'i have hpv'... or 'i had hpv'? its confusing to me.

they really need better testing for this stuff, its the most common std, and they can only see that you have low risk types once you have warts. frustrating!

i was just diagnosed with genital warts, so im trying to understand all this as well

andiesq70 · 11-04-2008, 06:45 AM

Hi Cali, I really don't know the answers and it seems like many of the doctors don't either. As 'common' as HPV is they don't seem to have a lot of information or real answers to questions like these. I had been to a GYN/Oncologist recently and he had the same vague, non-commital answers that everybody seems to be giving. It is extremely frustrating on many levels!

My thoughts are she would have a good chance that the body did clear the HPV since it's been years----BUT I'm not sure. I don't know if the next step would be to request an actual HPV test to determine if it is still in her system. It would seem logical because they cannot tell you if it will or will not come back, but maybe testing could help determine that.

When I found out last year I had warts/HPV last year I was a wreck! I understand how upsetting it can be but the boards have helped me, reading through the threads and the support of the others who are here. Make sure you get treatments and regular exams! I am 38 years old and believe that the warts were missed during my annual pap in '06, by time I got them removed and biopsied it came back VIN III (affecting the vulva area). I am not trying to worry anyone but it is imperitave to be proactive and get treatments, it is rare to have this happen but it can. It can also affect other genital areas. I decided I was not going to let it control my life and that I need to continue enjoying life, taking what comes when it does. Hopefully I have made sense, take care.