HPV Question

Unfortunately theres not much that can be done. A virus is a virus is a virus and you have to let it run its course. However, get rechecked in a few months. My pap smear in october came back positive but when they did a colposcopy 2 months later - either it was self limiting and went away - or - I had a false positive. Those are more common than I thought.

A girl that I worked with had to go and get tested every 6 months. That's all I know, sorry. I know it's very common though.

It's nothing to freak out about. If the doctor told her to get retested in a couple of months, chances are is not serious. Most of HPV goes away on it's own, the body fights it off. If she has not gotten the HPV shot yet and she is under 27, she can get the shot to prevent it in the future. But it is very common among sexually active females.

I have looked at several other websites and they all say the same thing, usually in women under 30, HPV will go away naturally before it causes any problems. If you would like more information try this website http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
Hope this helps!

VERY common virus, ugh! She'll just have to get PAPs every year to make sure all is in check. If outbreaks get bad, she can have laser surgery, though I'm not sure if that reduces cancer risk or not. I will say that the strain I had WENT AWAY! I didn't know that was a possiblity, but apparantly so. My OB doctor did a simple test at my last pap and said I am now negative. So there is hope!

Hi T.,

Your sister shouldn't panic....the majority of people walking around have this virus (and don't know it)! It's very good that she knows she has it b/c now she can be diligent about taking care of herself! The only thing she needs to do is make sure that she gets regular pap smears....at least once a year. That is the only "prevention" that can be done. As long as she stays on top of that, she shouldn't have any problems.

I was diagnosed with this in 2006 a year of a lot of doctor visits prodding and poking. My was severe but no cancer. I had the leep and then a Cone Biopsy
which I was pissed about b/c they do the leep and that's only good if they can get it all which they claim they can't tell until lab reports come back from what they burnded off. Why not just do the cone the 1st and be through with it. still testing positive for hpv.
Well after that surgery I didn't go back to the dr for a year.
I do not like taking medicines and usually will not take everything the dr prescribe anyway.

I changed my eating routine...limited meat ate more vegetables...started drinking apple cider vinegar daily...straight and mixed w/orange juice...start exercises.

So I went back at the beginning of this year No hpv, but pap was mildly abnormal..not severe....I actually go back for my 3 month check next tuesday.

I like focus on natural remedies instead of this drugs they like to feed us as far as the procedures I didn't have any problems...some cramping after the leep and my dr performed it in his office so no extra bills..the cone I didn't have issues either except I recieved about 5 extra bills b/c that had to be done in the hosipital.

Tell her to calm down and relax. She might have to get the warts removed the first time but it usually goes away on its own. It may not return...but this does not mean she still does not have the virus.

There are many strains of the HPV virus and there is no guarentee that she has the one that causes Cancer.

But because the risk of getting Cervical Cancer associated with HPV she should be getting PAP Smears every 6 months!!!

To keep on top of it...earlier detection is the key.

So tell her to make sure she has a PAP every six months!

No use worrying over something that hasnt happened yet.

There is a National Cervical Cancer Coalition/National HPV Cancer Coalition. There hotline number is 1-800-685-5531 or www.nccc-online.org. There is also a Texas Chapter and they can answer her questions and help her and give her support. It is still scary to know that you have this type of HPV. Give them a call. This happened to my sister as well and she had to have the LEEP done.
Good luck to you both...

T.,

Have your sister go to cdc.gov/std/hpv. This website is packed full of great information. Questions to discuss with her Dr., treatments and what to expect. Depending on the type of HPV(there are many) and her age she should also ask about the Gardisil vaccine. If this is an option for her(my insurance company will only cover females 15-26) it is something to consider. It would benefit her to find out the "strain" and do some investigating. If she does not feel her Dr. is being aggressive enough, she should always seek a 2nd opinion.