Should I worry if HPV positive?

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 be worried if I have HPV positive?

If the HPV test is positive, you may need additional follow-up tests. Atypical glandular cells (AGC): Some glandular cells were found that do not look normal. This can be a sign of a more serious problem up inside the uterus, so your healthcare provider will likely ask you to come back for a colposcopy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

What should I do if I test positive for HPV?

So your positive test may mean nothing more than, “take care of yourself, eat well, exercise and get good sleep so your immune system can do its job well.” If you text positive for one of the more high-risk strains of HPV, your doctor may want to test you again, specifically for strains 16 and 18, which are associated ...

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on overlakeobgyn.com

How concerned should I be about having HPV?

Does HPV cause health problems? 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Can you have HPV and be OK?

Most HPV infections go away on their own and don't cause any health problems. However, if HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts. It also can cause certain kinds of cancer. We do not know why HPV causes health problems in some people and not others.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Should I worry about HPV?

36 related questions found

Is all HPV considered an STD?

HPV is the most common STD, but most of the time it isn't a big deal. It usually goes away on its own, and most people don't even know that they ever had HPV. Remember that most people who have sex get HPV at some point in their lives.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

What does it mean if your Pap is normal but HPV is positive?

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

Should I tell someone I have HPV?

HPV can stay in the body for 10-20 years. Finding out you have HPV doesn't mean you or your partner have been unfaithful. It's your decision whether or not to tell your partner you have HPV.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.org.au

How do I know if my HPV is bad?

Results
  1. Positive HPV test. A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that's linked to cervical cancer. ...
  2. Negative HPV test. A negative test result means that you don't have any of the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

How long does HPV take to be cancerous?

Research has found that it can take 10 to 20 years, or even longer, for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into a cancerous tumor. Among women whose cervical cells are infected with high-risk HPV, several factors increase the chance that the infection will be long lasting and lead to precancerous cervical cells.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

What if HPV is positive but no abnormal cells?

HPV positive result without cell changes

This means that you have a high-risk type of HPV in your system, but there it hasn't caused any problems yet. You won't need any more testing or any treatment at this stage, because your body might actually clear the virus all by itself.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com

How can I live a normal life 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

Can you have HPV and a normal Pap smear?

In fact, many women with HPV will never have an abnormal pap smear. That being said, routine screening with your provider is the only way to follow any changes to the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kmobgyn.com

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

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

Am I stuck with HPV for life?

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 long can you have HPV before knowing?

HPV can lie dormant for years

Unless there are visible symptoms such as venereal warts, most people with HPV do not know that they are infected. Although the virus often heals on its own, in other cases, it lies dormant in the body and can trigger cancers years after infection.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hcamidwest.com

How long can you have HPV before you test positive?

There is no sure way to know when you got HPV or who gave it to you. A person can have HPV for many years before it is detected.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wvdhhr.org

Should I stop dating someone with HPV?

Should a person stop dating if they have HPV? A person can continue to date if they have HPV. If people know they have HPV, they may want to date a person for a while before engaging in sexual activity. This can give people the chance to get to know one another better before discussing HPV.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Is it embarrassing to have HPV?

Having HPV is not something to be ashamed of, and it's not a sign that you or your partner have been unfaithful. Having HPV is just a totally normal part of life.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on news.cancerresearchuk.org

How often should I get a Pap if I have HPV?

Updated cervical cancer screening guidelines from ACS recommend starting screening at age 25 with an HPV test and having HPV testing every 5 years through age 65. However, testing with an HPV/Pap cotest every 5 years or with a Pap test every 3 years is still acceptable.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

What are the signs of HPV in a woman?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) symptoms in women. HPV often causes no symptoms, but it can lead to warts on the genitals. In females, this includes the cervix, vulvar, and vagina, as well as the anus. It can also increase the risk of throat cancer in males and females.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

What happens if you test positive for HPV 2 years in a row?

You'll be invited for screening in 1 year and again in 2 years if you still have HPV. If you still have HPV after 3 years, you may need to have a colposcopy. You'll be asked to have a colposcopy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Is my partner cheating if I have HPV?

Having HPV does not mean that a person or their partner is having sex outside the current relationship. There is no treatment to eliminate HPV itself. HPV is usually dealt with by your body's immune system. HPV does not stop you having a normal sex life.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hpv.org.nz