Negative for HPV

[VegeCook]

A couple of years ago I had a smear test which led to a labia biopsy. My results stated that I had genital warts but thankfully not the cancer causing HPV. It was a horrible time questioning my husband on how I had them in the first place... Doctor did not tell us it could lie dormant for years Mumsnet did I'm due a smear and am absolutely terrified and feel physically sick at the thought of going back. I've convinced myself that I can't possibly have anything wrong as I have the wrong kind of HPV so can anyone reassure me that this is the case or am I just being stupid?

Also, can you only test positive if you're having a flare up? Is there a chance I'd be negative now. I had no symptoms before the Doctor noticed I was a bit red down below so decided to test more closely.

Also, I received no treatment at the time of diagnosis

You seem to be confusing HPV in some ways. Loads of people- 80% of the population- have HPV. It can be caused by any genital contact even from years back. In many people it lies dormant and in women it only causes cervical cancer if the immune system doesn't clear it (which it tends to do in lots of women.)

Unless you were a virgin when you married your DH then you could have got it from anyone.

I am totally confused ...not about my DH I understand that part now just wish my Doctor had told me rather than Mumsnet.

I'm confused as I was told the strain of HPV I have isn't the type that can cause cervical cancer therefore isn't that what a smear test is for?

No, a smear test just looks at cells from the cervix to make sure they aren't showing any abnormalities. It doesn't actually test specifically for any cause of the cells being abnormal.

Although hpv is the most common cause for cervical cancer, it's not the only cause.

There are different strains of HPV and in some countries they screen for particular strains in order to decide the most appropriate investigation - example here from the Netherlands. The high risk strains are 16, 18, 31 and 45 according to Wiki, 16 and 18 are the highest according to NHS Choices.

It sounds like you need a good chat with the practice nurse. Your doctor appears to have been worse than useless. HPV is a very common condition. Not all strains are linked to cervical cancer.

The smear test in the UK does indeed look for abnormalities in cells currently but we are in the process of moving over to HPV primary screening, like the Netherlands, where the sample is first tested for presence of the HPV virus and only then subsequently examined for abnormalities if it tests positive for HPV.

I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of having another smear test, but you do need to get some proper reassurance.

Thanks for your replies. Yes, you're right i need to get proper information. I had my previous smear in another country and the Doctor's first language was not English so I left the surgery very confused. I then starting doing my own research and asked on here. I was told that the HPV wasnt the cervical cancer one but I do still need to go for a smear and discuss this all properly Thank you again.

Yes, you should still go for screening, esp as your previous smear was in another country so there's probably no record of it here. You probably won't see a doctor, smear tests are done by the practice nurse, i.e. someone who generally knows what they're talking about!

There's loads of info about the screening programme in England here and similar pages on the websites of the other home countries if you're not living in England (but are in the UK).