HPV Support Group
Human papillomavirus is a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans. More than 100 different human papillomavirus (HPV) types have been characterized. Some HPV types cause benign skin warts, or papillomas, for which the virus family is named. HPVs associated with the development of such "common warts" are transmitted...
hello all, i was just diagnosed with HPV about 3 days ago. i went in for a colposcopy and had 3 biopsys done. i am now awaiting my results of the biopsys and am just scared beyond belief! i am only 22 years old and I had the gardisil shot so my jaw dropped to the floor when i found out. the results i am awaiting are to tell me whether i have a low risk strand (genital warts) or if i have cervical cancer. the nurse practitioner who conducted the colposcopy took one look at my cervix and said it was not good! i still have about 4 days to wait till the results come back and i have just gone into a sort of depression. i am still in some pain from the biopsies and for the first day i couldn't stop crying. the crying has stopped and all i seem to want to do are sleep and do research. i did not know much on HPV before diagnosis but now i am looking up as much as i can. i just need to know that there are others out there who have been in my shoes and can go on normally with their lives. at this point i am absolutely devastated :-( any and all help would be appreciated.
However, i soon realized, through the support of others and elaborate research, that hpv is not as bad as we think it would be. Im not someone who is easily content accepting that i have a infectious disease. I refuse to believe that.
As you may know, 90% of people clear the virus in 2 years or less. Some may take a little longer but the fact that our immune system has the capability of eliminating the virus from our body gave me so much hope. I dont know how i would have handled chronic infections like HSV or HIV.
Also, just my 2 cents but you saw a nurse practitioner. In my objective opinion, and no disrespect to nurses, but nurses dont know much or have much experience about hpv. I would see a ob/gyn or a dermatologist. Someone told me that abnormal cells in the cervix may result from other things besides hpv. I wont go into that because i dont want to give you the wrong information.
What im trying to say is, dont feel like youre the only one and dont feel like you will have this forever. I myself am 25 and only got it from my 2nd encounter, wearing protection. I know how you feel and what youre going through. I think you did a good thing by joining this forum, there are very helpful and supportive members who constantly give their input and help out others. Many of them are even cleared of the symptoms of hpv for a good amount of time, the longer you go without symptoms (warts) the better outlook you have of clearing the virus.
Hang in there, dont be sad. I know its easier said than done but i wish someone would have told me this initially. And if you need anything, we are all here for you. =)
Don't give up. Yes, it is tough. I didn't cry, I'm a guy. I did feel sad, upset and confused. I asked myself if I deserved this because I didn't do anything wrong while my ex did. She slept around when she was with me and now I have to pay the price for it. I do acknowledge that I deserve this because when I knew she was cheating on me, I continued to be with her instead of letting her go.
So don't give up. You have no reason to and your life still has a long path down which you need to walk. Breaking down now is not the thing you want to do.
But it does get better. The best way to look at this is to realize that you do have some control over this virus. Eat healthy, exercise, take vitamins, increase antioxidant intake, stop smoking and drinking if you do. All these things help your body fight the virus.
While it feels like your world may be ending, I think you'll come to find the exact opposite. Focus on putting yourself first right now. Research, take care of your body, reach out to those who have HPV and seek support from friends and family. You will be ok and you WILL get through this!
@iGrief: It's unfortunate to hear you say you deserved this. No one deserves HPV or any STD for that matter. Griever said she was infected by her second partner. I was infected by my first. Others are infected after 50. But when it comes down to it, it's always ONE person.
ONE person who may or may not know they have HPV or another STI. That's all it takes. Staying with a cheating ex doesn't put you at fault. Should you have left sooner? Maybe, maybe not. Did you ex know she had HPV? Maybe, maybe not. There are soooo many maybes surrounding this virus. Maybe if you had done this, or didn't do that... But tallying up your "maybes" and stying with someone you cared about does not mean you deserved HPV.