Can low risk HPV cause abnormal cells?

Both the low risk types and the high risk types of HPV can cause abnormal cell changes in the cervix and abnormal Pap smear results.

Can low risk HPV cause cell changes?

Genital HPV types are called either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk types can cause minor changes to the cells of the cervix, or, sometimes, genital warts. Low-risk HPV types are usually cleared naturally within one to two years. High-risk types (especially types 16 & 18) can cause more serious cell changes.

What happens if you have low risk HPV?

Sexually transmitted HPV types fall into two groups, low risk and high risk. Low-risk HPVs mostly cause no disease. However, a few low-risk HPV types can cause warts on or around the genitals, anus, mouth, or throat. High-risk HPVs can cause several types of cancer.

Can low risk HPV cause cervical cancer?

Low-risk HPV types

Women may also have warts on the cervix and in the vagina. Because these HPV types rarely cause cancer, they are called “low-risk” viruses.

How quickly can HPV cause abnormal cells?

HPV-related cancers often take years to develop after getting an HPV infection. Cervical cancer usually develops over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormal cells on the cervix and the development of cervical cancer.

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Can HPV cause abnormal cells in a year?

When a high-risk HPV infection of cervical cells lasts many years, the cells can become abnormal. These changes can get worse over time and may become cervical cancer.

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.

What are low risk HPV types?

Low-risk HPV types are types: 6, 11, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, and 81. These types can cause genital lesions but are considered non-carcinogenic types as they are not associated with cancerous lesions and are very rarely associated with precancerous lesions.

Do I need a colposcopy if I have HPV?

If you test positive for HPV 16/18, you will need to have a colposcopy. If you test positive for HPV (but did not have genotyping performed or had genotyping and tested negative for 16/18), you will likely have a colposcopy.

Can cervical cancer develop in 2 years?

Is it possible for cervical cancer to develop in 2 years? There's no evidence to suggest that cervical cancer can develop in just 2 years. Current research demonstrates that cervical cancer takes many years to develop. The time from an HPV infection, to changes in the cervix to cervical cancer, is often decades.

Will my low risk HPV go away?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that 90% of HPV infections will resolve spontaneously within 2 years in both males and females. The CDC also indicate that this occurs with both low-risk and high-risk HPV types.

How long low risk HPV lasts?

In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area.

What does a positive low risk HPV mean?

Low risk (HPV not detected): This means that no high-risk (cancer causing) HPV was found on your cervix. The chance of developing cervical cell changes that would need treatment in the next five years are very low. For that reason, you should wait for five years before having another cervical screening test.

What causes abnormal cells in Pap smear?

In most cases, an abnormal Pap test is a result of: A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD), such as herpes or trichomoniasis. A bacterial or yeast infection.

Should I worry about LSIL?

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is a common abnormal result on a Pap test. It's also known as mild dysplasia. LSIL means that your cervical cells show mild abnormalities. A LSIL, or abnormal Pap result, doesn't mean that you have cancer.

How long does it take for LSIL to develop?

Our findings suggest that the risk of developing LSIL in young females is only present within the first 3 years after detection of HPV DNA.

Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is a safe and quick procedure. However, some women find it uncomfortable and a few experience pain. Tell the doctor or nurse (colposcopist) if you find the procedure painful, as they will try to make you more comfortable. A colposcopy is a safe procedure to have during pregnancy.

Is LSIL always caused by HPV?

LSIL is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. 2 HPV is easily transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The good news is that the majority of people infected with HPV clear the virus spontaneously.

What happens if you have abnormal cells after a smear?

If your cervical smear test shows abnormal cells, you may have a different test to look closely at your cervix. This is called a colposcopy. Sometimes the doctor or nurse doing the test can see that the cells are abnormal. They may offer you treatment to remove these cells during the colposcopy.

Do abnormal cells always mean HPV?

Abnormal. An abnormal result means that cell changes were found on your cervix. This usually does not mean that you have cervical cancer. Abnormal changes on your cervix are likely caused by HPV.

Can an abnormal Pap smear be nothing?

Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about

Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it's important to follow up to make sure.

How often should you get a Pap smear if you have abnormal cells?

Once a woman has had an abnormal test, she should have annual Pap smears for the next 20 years to monitor. “Plan to visit your gynecologist annually, but a Pap may not be necessary every year,” Dr. Hauschka says.

What are the chances of abnormal cells returning?

After treatment for cell changes: about 9 in 10 (90%) people will not have cell changes again. fewer than 2 in 10 (between 5% and 15%) people may have cell changes that come back.

Will I always test positive for HPV?

People often never know they have caught it or passed it on. “HPV could've been there for years before it shows up, if it ever does,” says Ramondetta. When talking to your partner about your diagnosis, remember 80% of people will have HPV at some point in their life.

What is the difference between LSIL and ASC-US?

ASC-US stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. “Squamous” refers to the type of cells that make up the tissue that covers the cervix. LSIL—This means that the cervical cells show changes that are mildly abnormal. LSIL usually is caused by an HPV infection that often goes away on its own.