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What Causes Abnormal Pap Smear Test During Pregnancy?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014
Question: I had a recent pap smear that showed that I had mild abnormal cells. Is this indicative of HPV? Also, could it have been dormant and not be detected by several pap smears in the past. This is my first Abnormal pap and i have had only 2 sexual partners. I had a divorce about 3 years ago and I had a pap smear every year and it all came back normal that was the first sexual partner i have had. Now, this is my second marriage and I am 6 weeks pregnant and had a pap done which came back mild abnormal cells. Could I have gotten it from my current husband? Am I contagious? Will it affect my baby?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Specific test of HPV required

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear thanks for trusting health care magic.
Abnormal pap smear can be due various infections and HPV is the commonest cause.
But to be sure you need to get specific special test kit for HPV which is readily available in all laboratories.
You could have got it from your current husband or even from environment because it is commonly present in water and soil also.
Pregnancy and HPV infection are not good and delivery is to be done by cesarean section so as to avoid transmission to baby.
Otherwise baby is safe till bag of waters is intact.
Don't worry as of now and just get tested for HPV virus positivity and only then we can determine our further course of action.
All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (19 minutes later)
I asked the CMA that works with my doctor if it came back positive for HPV on my pap smear results and she did say that it said on the pap smear result that it was positive for HPV but the doctor did not tell me that he sent me a message stating that it was just mild abnormal cells and that he needs me to have a colopscopy done. Also, I have had the HPV vaccine will that help at all? I need to know, if the virus is dormnant for a couple of years and my pap results came back normal, is that possible? Can the HPV be detectable even when it is dormant? I would also like to know what type of test would be performed for my husband to get him checked for HPV? Is it a blood test or something else?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Colposcopy required

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, in case HPV infection was contracted before the vaccine then it won't be able to protect you.
And problem is HPV virus as you stated can lie dormant for years or as I told you it can be contracted from various sources so we can't be sure about the source and the probable time of affection.
Most of the times a dormant infection can also be detected on smears but in case the dormant virus is very small in amount or is lying deep in cervical tissue it can escape from detection.
Smear from penile area and semen sample will suffice, no need of blood sample of your husband.
Colostomy is the right next step now because HPV has been confirmed on the smear.
Liquid based cytology (a method of pap smear) is my area of research so in case you have other questions you are most welcome.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (8 minutes later)
I had the vaccine before this infection was detected at the age of 15 and I also had atleast 3 normal pap smears before this abnormal one. What will the colopscopy tell me? Also, why is the location important? Can HPV be treated? Am I currently contagious?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
see detailed answer

Detailed Answer:
It is good to hear that you had vaccine before this infection it is definitely a good sign because your body will try to eliminate the virus by itself but the effect of vaccine starts waning after a few years and moreover it doesn't fight against all the strains of virus as you must be knowing.
Co loops coy will tell us about any bad effects done to cervix and vagina by the virus because HPV is a cancer causing virus so in case there are any aplastic changes due the virus we can detect at early stages,
Although chances are low because you have been in a monogamous relationship with single partner at a time.
HPV can be treated with elimination of the affected tissue by cautry or surgery.
Yes you are contagious and also susceptible to other strains of virus.
Best in your interest is to use condoms every time you indulge in sexual activity and keep the local hygiene of your private parts.
I didn't understand the lactation question you asked.
If it is related to the presence of virus in relation to cervix then if the virus was in endocrinology or in deeper layes of cervix then it escapes detection via pap smear.
I hope I have answered all your questions but in case of any other query you can contact me directly on http:// bit.ly / drmanishajain .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (26 minutes later)
can males be treated for HPV? or is it not treatable with them?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
cautry

Detailed Answer:
Usually HPV is not symptomatic in men and if at all they contact infection they usually clear it themselves.
Only in certain men especially ones with poor immunity warts occur.
In case warts occur then treatment is cautry of the warts is the treatment of choice.
All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (6 minutes later)
after i get myself checked with colopscopy is it possible for the mild abnormal cells that i have get worst if i have unprotected sex with my husband? In other words, am I in danger with my husband if I have unprotected sex with my husband now?
how long does it take for his body to get rid of the virus?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
unprotected sex to be avoided

Detailed Answer:
Yes avoid unprotected sex at all times because you can get infected by a different strain of virus and also in certain you contract my other sexually transmitted disease then risk of worsening of infection will increase.
Moreover in case you have got this infection from environment then risk of transferring it to your husband is there.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (10 minutes later)
My husband can develop new strands, if he had the virus?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes its possible

Detailed Answer:
Yes mam, it is a very peculiar feature of HPV that immunity against one virus or contraction of one virus doesn't eliminate the risk of other strands.
Another important point in all sexually transmitted diseases is that affection with one increases the risk of contraction of another.
So best is to use protection every time you indulge in sexual activity.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (7 minutes later)
even if we are monogamous?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
By being in a monogamous relationship it decreases the risk several times but doesn't eliminate the same because of the fact that HPV is present in the environment also.
Best option in your case is to have colposcopy and use of condoms at all times.
Repeat pap after 3 months and evaluation for the same.
Wish you luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Jain

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5136 Questions

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What Causes Abnormal Pap Smear Test During Pregnancy?

Brief Answer: Specific test of HPV required Detailed Answer: Hello dear thanks for trusting health care magic. Abnormal pap smear can be due various infections and HPV is the commonest cause. But to be sure you need to get specific special test kit for HPV which is readily available in all laboratories. You could have got it from your current husband or even from environment because it is commonly present in water and soil also. Pregnancy and HPV infection are not good and delivery is to be done by cesarean section so as to avoid transmission to baby. Otherwise baby is safe till bag of waters is intact. Don't worry as of now and just get tested for HPV virus positivity and only then we can determine our further course of action. All the best.