HPV

[MelodyOfFlowers]

Evening all,
Im hoping for some advice on something that has really been worrying me for the last few months.
My smear test before my last in 2021, the HPV result was negative however my smear test in May this year came back positive. I know it states on the result letter this does not mean your partner has been unfaithful however I’m terrified!
Just some history: I’m currently 35, I’ve been with my Husband since we were 15. We briefly separated at 16 and slept with two other people. Since 16, we have not had any other sexual partners (that I’m aware of!). The obvious worry on my mind is that I know HPV is common in sexually active people and that it can lay dormant for some time etc however can it really lay dormant for almost 20 years!? I’m beside myself with worry and too embarrassed to speak to family/friends. Myself and my Husband have had a bumpy road in the last 3 years where he moved back to his parents as I found out he was being inappropriate with other women, however I have found nothing to indicate that he was sexually active with another women, but it’s obviously on my mind and not something I think he would admit if he was. We are still together and have been attending marriage counselling. I would massively appreciate any advice, experience or knowledge from you guys. Thank you so much.

Like you said, it’s not something he would admit to. This isn’t going to prove he has or hasn’t done anything so you need to separate this diagnosis from your marital problems.

This.

The diagnosis doesn’t confirm he’s cheated but if that is something you’ve been concerned about then I can understand why your mind would go there.

I do get it that I cannot prove he cheated (if he even has!) with this diagnosis however my question was, does HPV really lay dormant for nearly 20 years? It's just a bit of a shock and my mind is super overactive given everything else going on.

It can, yes x

It certainly can lie dormant for decades
Doesn't prove either way

Wow, thank you for your replies all, they have reassured me massively. I really appreciate you taking your time to give me advice x

I’ve been married for 22 years and with my husband for 25 years. I can be quite confident neither of us have slept with anyone else and last year I tested HPV positive; it didn’t even occur to me he could have been unfaithful, however I am a healthcare professional so know that HPV can lay dormant. Hope this reassures you!

I have been with dh for 30 years and had a positive hpv test last year. It was clear this year. Dh doesn't have time to cheat and I haven't either.

Hpv has only been tested for since 2019/2020 so you could have had it in the past but it would have been undetected as only cell changes were looked for in previous smear tests.

It can't be relied on as evidence of cheating, because false positives are a possibility.

It is just the first stage in the screening process and I hope that is as far as it goes for you. x

This is massively reassuring, so thank you very much x

Sorry to sound confused but, when it's said that it can lie dormant for 20+ years, does that mean it can develop naturally within the body and show itself many years later or does it ONLY develop once someone has been sexually active?

As far as I know, it's something you can be passed and it only takes intercourse with one person if they have it. It is also very common. There is no treatment and can lay dormant and come back years down the line. It can be passed through sex and sexual contact, oral sex, skin to skin sexual contact etc

Hello melodyofflowers
I hope you’re okay, how are things? I found your post looking for some information on dormant HPV
Did you have any abnormal cells on your test in September or were you asked to revisit for another smear in a year? Thank you 💛

Hi AvidOrca,
I did not have any abnormal cells, which is good news and I was told I will have another smear in 12 months to check that it remains there are no abnormal cells. Testing positive for HPV can increase your chances of abnormal cells developing therefor I think they keep a closer eye with smear tests until I would test negative for HPV.

Yes I tested positive for it a few years ago and have been with DH for years and neither of us been with anyone else. Was negative on the next one.