What happens if you test positive for high risk HPV?

If you get a positive HPV test, your physician has detected one or more high risk strains of the virus on the Pap test of your cervix. If the virus stays with you for a long time, it can cause cell changes that can lead to several types of cancer.

What does positive high-risk HPV mean?

Results from your HPV test will come back as either positive or negative. Positive HPV test. A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that's linked to cervical cancer. It doesn't mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it's a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future.

What happens if you have high-risk HPV?

High-risk HPV infections that persist can cause cancer: Sometimes HPV infections are not successfully controlled by your immune system. When a high-risk HPV infection persists for many years, it can lead to cell changes that, if untreated, may get worse over time and become cancer.

Can positive high-risk HPV go away?

High-risk HPV types

Infection with HPV is very common. In most people, the body is able to clear the infection on its own. But sometimes, the infection doesn't go away. Chronic, or long-lasting infection, especially when it's caused by certain high-risk HPV types, can cause cancer over time.

Should I worry if my HPV test is positive?

A positive test result doesn't mean a cancer diagnosis is inevitable—it simply means you're at a higher risk. We take positive HPV results and cellular abnormalities very seriously and conduct extensive testing and regular monitoring to make sure the virus doesn't result in more serious issues.

Pap smears vs HPV testing and cervical cancer detection

What is the treatment for high risk HPV?

Surgery is necessary to remove precancerous cells caused by high risk HPV. This is to prevent the cells from becoming cancerous. A doctor can remove these cells from the cervix with a procedure called loop electrosurgical excision or with cervical cryotherapy.

What is the next step after being diagnosed with HPV?

If you got a positive HPV test and your Pap test was abnormal, your doctor will probably follow up with a colposcopy. Try to see a physician who specializes in this procedure. During a colposcopy, your doctor will look more closely at the cervix, vagina or vulva with a special microscope called a colposcope.

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 high-risk HPV go away and come back?

There's no guarantee that genital warts won't grow back again because HPV changes the cells of your body in a way that makes them likely to grow. If you have high-risk HPV that sticks around or goes dormant and keeps coming back, that's when it becomes cancer causing (or what doctors call oncogenic).

How long does it take for HPV to 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.

Is high-risk HPV contagious?

Yes, HPV is highly contagious. This means that common warts on the skin or soles of the feet are contagious, because contact with warts may spread the HPV infection. Genital warts are also contagious. HPV can be spread from person-to-person even when the infected person does not have any signs of symptoms.

What are the signs of HPV in a woman?

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.

What is the difference between HPV and high risk HPV?

Low risk HPVs do not cause cancer, but may cause skin warts on or around the genitals and anus. High risk HPVs account for around 12 types of HPVs and may cause cancer. Of the high risk HPV types, types 16 and 18 are responsible for most HPV-caused cancers.

Is high risk HPV common?

Although it is estimated that roughly 40% of women will be infected with a high-risk type of HPV at some point in their lives, most of these infections are successfully controlled by the immune system.

What are the high risk HPV types?

High-risk HPV types include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 34, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, and 70. Included in the high-risk group are some HPV types that are less frequently found in cancers but are often found in squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) (Table ​

Is HPV a STI or STD?

HPV is a very common STI. Among 15- to 59-year-olds, 2 in 5 (40%) people will have HPV. There are many different types of HPV; most do not cause any health problems. HPV is a different virus than HIV or (HSV) herpes.

Does HPV go away after LEEP?

Although LEEP does not completely eradicate HPV infection, our results indicate that most HR-HPV infections are cleared after LEEP with negative margins. The clearance rate is increasing gradually after surgery. Our persistence rate was 40.9 % at 6 months, 20 % at 12 months and 11.8 % at 18 months.

Can a man give a woman HPV?

The virus can be passed on between sexual partners of any gender. However, the virus will be less widespread among younger women who have benefited from the school vaccination programme. Because fewer men and boys have been vaccinated, men who have sex with other men may generally be more at risk of HPV transmission.

What happens if you have HPV for 3 years?

If you still have HPV after 3 years, you may need to have a colposcopy. You'll be asked to have a colposcopy. Information: HPV is a common virus and most people will get it at some point.

What if cervical biopsy is positive?

However, if you recently had a cervical biopsy, you may need repeated Pap and HPV testing sooner. A positive test, on the other hand, means that cancer or precancerous cells have been found and further diagnosis and treatment may be needed.

How long after contracting HPV will you test positive?

A: Changes consistent with HPV can usually be detected within 3-6 months after exposure to the infection.

How do you get high risk HPV?

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass the infection to someone even when they have no signs or symptoms.

Is HPV serious for females?

HPV usually goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems including: Cervical cancer. Other genital cancers (such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus)

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.