What happens if HPV is detected on a smear?

A positive HPV test means you do have an HPV type that may be linked to cervical cancer. This does not mean you have cervical cancer now. But it could be a warning. The specific HPV type may be identified to determine the next step.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Should I worry if I tested positive for HPV?

Follow-up tests and procedures after an abnormal Pap test (Pap smear) or HPV test. Keep in mind that most people with abnormal cervical screening test results do not have cancer. However, if you have an abnormal test result, it's important to get the follow-up care that your health care provider recommends.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

Can you test positive for HPV but have a normal Pap smear?

The most common reason for a negative Pap test with a positive HPV result is that the patient has an HPV infection, but the infection is not causing any cellular abnormalities. Cellular abnormalities caused by HPV can be quite focal on the cervix, while the HPV infection can be more widespread.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on incytediagnostics.com

What are the signs of HPV in females?

Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

How do you treat HPV positive people?

There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause: Genital warts can be treated by your healthcare provider or with prescription medication. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Danielle Was Diagnosed With HPV and Shares Her Story in Preventing Cervical Cancer

26 related questions found

How do I live with my partner with HPV?

Then consider these steps to help protect yourself and anyone with whom you have intimate contact.
  1. Get Vaccinated and Encourage Your Partner to Get Vaccinated. ...
  2. Use Condoms When Having Sex. ...
  3. Get Regular Medical and Dental Checkups. ...
  4. Learn to Identify HPV Symptoms. ...
  5. Practice Good Genital Hygiene.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com

Should I stay with someone who has HPV?

HPV infection can cause genital warts in some people. If your partner has HPV or genital warts, it's possible for them to pass it on to you, especially if you have unprotected sex. However, you can limit your chance of infection by getting the HPV vaccine and practicing safer sex with barriers.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com

How did I get HPV if I am married?

How did I get HPV? HPV is a sexually-acquired virus. Even if you were to have sex with a single partner in your life, using condoms every time, there is an 80% chance you will acquire HPV in your lifetime. HPV can be spread by contact between genital skin, so LGBQTI people can also get the virus.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on amiehanlon.com.au

What are 2 signs of HPV?

HPV does not usually cause any symptoms. Most people who have it do not realise and do not have any problems. But sometimes the virus can cause painless growths or lumps around your vagina, penis or anus (genital warts).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Is HPV curable in females?

Is there a cure for HPV? There is no cure for the virus (HPV) itself. There are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause, such as genital warts, cervical changes, and cervical cancer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fda.gov

How long can you have HPV without knowing?

Although most HPV infections go away within two years, some will not. HPV infections that do not go away can "hide" in the body for years and not be detected. That's why it is impossible to know exactly when someone got infected, how long they've been infected, or who passed the infection to them.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

Can you be misdiagnosed for HPV?

As with any screening test, an HPV test carries the risk of false-positive or false-negative results. False-positive. A false-positive test result indicates that you have a high-risk type of HPV when you really don't.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

What happens if you keep testing positive for HPV?

HPV tests detect and diagnose the human papillomavirus that can turn normal cervical cells into abnormal or precancerous cells. A positive HPV test result means you could develop cervical cancer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

Can HPV make you feel unwell?

HPV usually doesn't make you feel sick or cause any symptoms. Your immune system can fight off the infection before you ever know you have it, but you could still spread it to others before that happens. If you do get symptoms, the most common signs of HPV are genital warts.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on samvankirk.com

What causes HPV to flare up?

– there's no evidence that HPV has triggers like herpes or asthma that cause flare ups, but many believe that a weakened immune system can lead to outbreaks being more likely. Genital warts are more likely to flare-up if your immune system is not able to effectively fight the HPV infection causing them to appear.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthclinics.superdrug.com

Is HPV A STD?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless and goes away by itself, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

Is HPV infection permanent?

For 90 percent of women with HPV, the condition will clear up on its own within two years. Only a small number of women who have one of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer will ever actually develop the disease.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org

How does HPV virus make you feel?

Most people with HPV — no matter what their gender is — don't have any symptoms. Sometimes HPV can cause warts on your penis or vulva and around your anus. Genital warts can cause irritation and discomfort, and you can pass the HPV that caused them to other people.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

Can a couple get HPV without cheating?

People can be infected with HPV without having sexual intercourse. The likelihood of exposure increases with the number of partners a person has, and HPV will often spread early in a relationship as the person is newly exposed to the virus.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chop.edu

Can I spread HPV to my family?

Yes. Although most infections occur following intercourse, HPV may also be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. Even more rarely, a mom can transmit the virus to her baby during birth.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chop.edu

Should my boyfriend get tested for HPV if I have it?

Does my husband/partner need to be tested? No your husband/partner does not need to be tested. HPV is very common, and we do not know how long you may have had it. Your partner is also likely to have had HPV, and they may still have it, or their body may have dealt with it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on phw.nhs.wales

Can stress cause HPV to flare up?

Those who said they were depressed or believed they had high levels of stress also still had an active HPV infection. HPV usually clears up on its own, but this study is really the first to indicate a link between stress and persistent HPV infection.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on orlandohealth.com

Can I leave a normal life with HPV?

If you've been diagnosed with HPV, you can still lead a relatively normal life. However, you need to protect yourself and any other sexual partners you have as you do so: Use condoms: Using condoms when having sex is essential to reduce the risk of transmitting HPV.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellmind.com

What happens if I don't tell my partner I have HPV?

Genital warts or cervical cells can be removed if needed, but this doesn't eliminate the virus from your system. And you'll never know who gave the infection to whom. So, while I recommend honesty in all things sexual, you can be forgiven for not talking to your partner about your HPV infection.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mcpress.mayoclinic.org

How does a man know if he has HPV?

Most men who get HPV never have symptoms. The infection usually goes away by itself. But, if HPV does not go away, it can cause genital warts or certain kinds of cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider about anything new or unusual on your penis, scrotum, anus, mouth, or throat.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov