Hi,
In 2018 I tested positive for hpv virus and last year I tested negative for the virus, If I sleep with the same person who gave me the virus and I’m now negative does that mean I can be hpv positive again? And if so should I be worried that I won’t be screened for another 3 years now with testing negative?
Thank you
Hi there,
Thank you for your question. Yes, once the body has cleared a particular strain of HPV, it is possible to get that same type of HPV again. HPV can be in our body for months/years without making itself known on a test, so it's hard to say when someone was actually exposed to the virus, i.e. which sexual partner it was passed from. Most people who are sexually active will have HPV at some point in their life. It typically takes years and years for high-risk HPV to cause any abnormal cells, so it's safe to be screened every 3 years and then every 5 years after age 49. We're on nurse@eveappeal.org.uk if you have any other questions.
With our best wishes,
The Ask Eve Team
