So You Got An Abnormal Pap. Now What?
- By
Julia Austin
Source: SDI Productions / Getty
HPV can be asymptomatic for years
The fact that I’ve had just one partner since my irregular pap smear 10 years ago is irrelevant, says Dr. Johnson. “HPV can be in your system for up to 10 years before it shows symptoms. Because HPV is a virus, it tends to present itself when the body is down for other reasons. It’s an opportunist. So if you have stress going on, or were sick for another reason, the virus may present itself in that space.”
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