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1. Introduction

If your doctor, nurse or health worker has told you that your abnormal Pap smear result may be due to an infection with HPV, you are probably wondering what it is, how you got it and what it means for your health.

HPV is a very common virus, with four out of five people having it at some stage of their lives.

In some cases, it can increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer. However, most women with HPV do not develop cervical cancer.

HPV and herpes are not related. If you have HPV, it does not mean you will have herpes.

2. About HPV

There are over 100 different types of HPV. Some of these affect the genitals and the cervix.

HPV is so common that it could be considered a normal part of life after you start to have sex. Most people will have HPV at some time in their lives and never know it. You may become aware of HPV if you have an abnormal Pap smear result, or if genital warts appear.

HPV infection is very common and in most people it clears up naturally in about one to two years.

3. What does HPV have to do with cervical cancer?

A few of the many types of HPV have been linked with causing abnormalities of the cervix and in some cases with cancer of the cervix.

It is important to remember that most women who have HPV clear the virus naturally and do not go on to develop cervical cancer.

In a small number of women, the HPV stays in the cells of the cervix. When the infection is not cleared, there is an increased risk of developing abnormalities. In very rare cases, these abnormalities of the cervix can progress to cancer. When cervical cancer develops, HPV is found in almost all cases. Having regular Pap smears is the best way to ensure that any changes are monitored and managed to protect your health.

If your Pap smear shows early cell changes due to HPV, there is a strong likelihood that these changes will clear up naturally in one to two years. Because of this, and the fact that cancer of the cervix takes around 10 years to develop, your doctor may recommend just having another Pap smear in 12 months time.

4. How did I get HPV?

HPV is spread through genital skin contact during sexual activity. As viruses are microscopic, HPV can pass through tiny breaks in the skin. HPV is not spread in blood or other body fluids. While condoms are an important barrier to many sexually transmitted infections, they offer limited protection against HPV as they do not cover all of the genital skin.

Because the virus can be hidden in a person’s cells for a long time, having a diagnosis of HPV does not necessarily mean that you or your partner has been unfaithful. As we do not know how long HPV can remain dormant, it is impossible to determine for most people when and from whom they got HPV.

People who discover they have HPV may feel shocked, angry or upset. Because the virus can be hidden in a person’s cells for a long time, for most people it is impossible to determine when and from whom they got HPV. It is important to remember that if you or your partner has HPV, it does not necessarily mean that either of you has been unfaithful.

5. Can HPV be cured or treated?

There is no cure or treatment for HPV. It will, in most cases, be cleared up by your immune system like most viruses. However, the effects of the virus, such as any warts that appear or changes to the cells of the cervix, can be treated. This is like having a cold. While there is no treatment that will make the cold virus go away, you can treat the symptoms. For instance, you can use cough medicine if you have a cough. So if you have warts, your doctor can suggest the treatment most suitable for you.

If your Pap smear indicates that cells have been affected by HPV, you should have more frequent Pap smears until these cells return to normal. If the changes continue, further tests and treatment may be needed.

6. Should I have a special test for HPV?

There is a test that can identify strains of HPV. This is not a test for cancer.

Experts recommend that HPV testing be used for women who have been treated for a high grade abnormality. The HPV test is done to make sure the virus has gone from your body.

Because most HPV infections clear up naturally, there is little reason for other women to have an HPV test.

While a Pap smear cannot identify which type of HPV is present, regular Pap smears will make sure any changes that occur are found early and managed well.

In most women, HPV infections go away in one to two years.

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