HPV

[Sillyshell]

Hi

I've recently had a smear and it's come back positive for hpv. Luckily no abnormal cells were found but my question is how would I have caught it?

I'm 45 and been with DH for 15 years, does this mean he's slept with someone else?

I know I haven't and I've looked on google but it's not very clear. I've never had anything flag up at previous smears

My understanding is that it can lay dormant (i.e., no symptom) forever in both you and your DH. They've changed what the smears test for recently. It used to be for abnormal cells and now it's for HPV, so I think a lot of women are now in your position. In was tested recently and wouldn't have been surprised if I was positive, despite being with my DH for 20 years.

Shame they haven't explained that a approve test doesn't mean cheating.

Ugh. Sorry for the typos. "Approve" should say a "positive" test.

As @moynomore says -- they've changed the way smears are tested from look for abnormal cells and then for HPV if abnormal cells are found to check for HPV and then if positive for HPV check for abnormal cells. You've most likely had HPV for years! X

I had abnormal cells CIN3. Consultant gynaecologist told me the virus lives on surfaces everywhere and can end up inside us even from our hands. Its no indication of cheating by a partner

Something like 80% of sexually active people have had hpv at some point since they've been sexually active. And as someone else says for some people it can just lay dormant.

I find it so frustrating that people aren't being explained this better- and that in reality it is causing women specifically a lot of angst.

That's great, thank you so much . I didn't really think he had, not sure when he would have had the chance but you never know!

Hello- I’m in exactly the same position as you OP and was wondering the same, glad you asked. I actually thought I had tested negative for HPV about 6 years ago in a routine test outside the U.K. (at which point I was already married) but the likelihood of my DH playing around is so tiny I can only conclude that it sometimes lies so dormant that it doesn’t show up on tests.

Hi glad it answered your question, it was quite worrying to be honest when I found out