HPV positive/ STI

[wishful2012]

Hi,
So I had my smear test and it has came back positive for high risk HPV, I get tested in a years time again.
I have been married for 21 year Does this mean my husband has been unfaithful, I have looked at loads on the internet and there is so much conflicting information.
Some say it’s sexual contact and others say by touching hands, others say it can be dormant for years but will clear up with 2 years.
Can someone give me some information please

It can be dormant for years, decades even. It's unlikely it will ever clear as such, you'll always have the virus, but it can become undetectable again.

It can be dormant for years, decades even.

Sometimes you'll only have one flare up, some people have it constantly.

It doesn't mean DH has been unfaithful. It could be as simple as shaking hands with someone who has it, and both had a paper cut for example.

Stress, and low immune system can cause flare ups.

Thank you so much, I think the more I read the more overwhelmed I got.

Can be dormant for decades
I had pre cancerous cells removed in 2009
Been fine since
Hpv- until last year
So annoyed it's come back but in my case I think it was caused by pregnancy lowering my immune system

They have only just started testing for HPV, as opposed to looking for cancer cells . This is because cervical cancer without HPV is rare. If sample is HPV positive they then look again for any cancer cells.

So you have probably been HPV positive since you have been sexually active, but no one has ever looked for it before.

I know this because I had exactly the same outcome as you in my smear earlier this year. I’ve been with my husband for the best part of 30 years so obviously it was something that was a bit concerning 😉. My GP was very reassuring. Also told DH that it is not something he needs to be especially worried about - HPV very very rarely causes penile cancer.

Must have been quite a shock for you though op
Just goes to show how important they are
So many ppl think that once you test negative you're in the clear if you don't ever change partners / stay single . I really think more needs to be done in regards getting this message out there