November 24th, 2009 → 11:28 am @ Wartrol Warning // 2 Comments
My best friend just lost her virginity to her boyfriend recently. They’ve been together for a long time and are both committed to each other. Last night she got a call from her gyno saying that she’s been exposed to the HPV virus and told her that she needs to do another test and get the HPV vaccine asap. Does this mean that she has the virus already?
tarnishe
8 months ago
I would think yes, she has HPV….but the best thing she can do for herself is ask her doctor for a copy of your pathology report.
The HPV test usually follows the pap test after abnormal cell changes are found. It is a reflex test..meaning after the pap smear saw the abnormal cell changes they did the HPV test.
The HPV test is not an STD test….but genital HPV types are considered STD or STI because the virus is transmitted during sex.
The second test her doctor is doing is probably a colposcopy…where the doctor using a magnification device and takes a biopsy of anything he see that is suspicious. The biopsy will usually be classified as low grade or high grade lesions. Most (80 to 90%) low grade lesions will regress.
She and her partner will not ping pong the virus back and forth…but she needs to allow her cervix to heal…condoms can help (yes, even in a committed relationship) and studies have shown that condoms can help the virus regress. Condoms are not necessary for the long term two clear Pap test is usually all that is needed. When her pap test no long sees abnormal cell changes…her HPV test will probably be negative also.
The vaccine will not treat the HPV type she already has…if her HPV test was positive she has one of the 13 HPV types the HPV test screens for. Having a high risk HPV does not mean her HPV will become a problem later on…it just mean she has one of the HPV types found in cancer. The most common HPV test does not screen for low risk HPV types. She can also ask her doctor if he used the Digene HPV test..the website is: " /> The HPV vaccine only prevents 4 HPV types two low risk HPV types 6 and 11 and two high risk HPV types 16 and 18. The vaccine is not a treatment for the virus that she has. The vaccine can’t prevent HPV types that she already has…yes it may prevent one of the other HPV types that the vaccine prevents…but the vaccine is most effective if used before a gal becomes sexual active.
Tell your girl friend to check with her insurance policy some do not cover the full price of the vaccine.
There are about 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of men and women.
The vaccine is less effective in preventing HPV-related disease in young women who have already been exposed to one or more HPV types. That is because the vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections or the diseases they may cause. It can only prevent HPV before a person gets it. " /> This is important information that she should read before her next doctor’s appointment.
HPV Factsheet: " /> This is a great article/interview on Gardasils HPV vaccine
Vaccine Can not treat HPV" /> HPV is a very common infection most often acquired with a person’s first sexual experience.
I wish your girl friend well. Sometimes learning we have the virus can be confusing and scary…knowledge gives you power!!
bgbdybnz
8 months ago
If she took an STD test and tested positive for HPV, then more than likely she has the virus. By getting the vaccine, she will prevent any future outbreaks or exposure to the virus. My suggestion would be to follow up with the OBGYN.