What does it mean to be high-risk HPV positive?

High-risk HPV was found. It does not mean you have cancer. It means you may be at higher risk for getting cervical cancer in the future. Your health care provider may order more tests to monitor and/or diagnose your condition.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mdanderson.org

What does it mean to be at high risk for HPV?

(hy-risk …) A type of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer, such as cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis, and oropharynx. Chronic infection with high-risk HPV can lead to cell changes that, if not treated, may become cancer. Also called high-risk human papillomavirus.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

Is it bad to 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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

Why does my HPV test say high risk?

Higher risk: Your test results show either HPV infection with types 16 and/or 18, high grade cell changes on your cervix, or persistent infection with one of the other high-risk HPV types (not 16/18). It is important that you have a further follow-up because you may be at a high risk of developing cervical cancer.

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

Danielle Sepulveres Part 2 of 2, But What’s a Positive HPV Test Mean Anyway?

18 related questions found

How can I get rid of high risk HPV?

Options include freezing (cryosurgery), laser, surgical removal, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Should I worry if my HPV test is 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

Can you live a normal life with high risk 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

Is high risk HPV harder to clear?

“Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of new HPV infections, including those with high-risk types, clear or become undetectable within two years, and clearance usually occurs in the first six months after infection,” says the CDC.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on self.com

Does high risk HPV weaken your immune system?

A compromised immune response is the prerequisite for disease progression. One unique feature of HPV infection is that it can affect the immune system in such as way that it presents a much more tolerant state, which facilitates persistent hrHPV infection and cervical lesion progression.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does high risk HPV need treatment?

Treatment can be expedited for high-risk patients. If a patient has a high-grade cytology (Pap test) result (i.e., HSIL) and an HPV test that is positive for HPV type 16, then treatment with a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is preferred.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Should I tell my partner 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

What is the next step after positive HPV test?

For example, some women who test positive for HPV and who have minor abnormalities on a Pap test are referred for colposcopy, a procedure in which biopsies are taken of abnormal areas in the cervix (visit NCI's page on cervical screening tests for the most up-to-date recommendations).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancer.gov

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

How long is high risk HPV?

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 did I get HPV with one partner?

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. If you are sexually active, you can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Does HPV get worse as you age?

In another study on women aged 30–65 years the clearance was 41% with 2.7 months between test one and test two [13]. It has previously been shown that an HPV infection persists longer in women older than 30 years compared with younger women [27,28].

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can a normal Pap smear be positive for high risk HPV?

If a patient has a normal pap smear that tests positive for high risk HPV, we can then specifically check for 2 types of high risk HPV that are most associated with precancerous cervical changes, types 16 and 18.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kmobgyn.com

Why is my Pap smear normal but I have HPV?

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

How do you know if HPV is serious?

High-risk HPV doesn't have symptoms

Unfortunately, most people who have a high-risk type of HPV will never show any signs of the infection until it's already caused serious health problems. That's why regular checkups are so important — testing is the only way to know for sure if you're at risk for cancer from HPV.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on plannedparenthood.org

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

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

Can they tell how long you had HPV?

A person may have HPV for many years before it causes health problems. If you or your partner receive a diagnosis of a disease from HPV, there is no way to know: How long you have had HPV; Whether your partner gave you HPV; or.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

What does HPV look like on a woman?

The most common are small, hard sores called warts, but not everyone who has HPV gets them. They may be raised, flat, or shaped like a cauliflower, and they can be different sizes. They can show up on your genital area or other places, depending on the type of the virus you have. These warts often go away on their own.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com