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

However, a normal pap in the presence of POSITIVE HPV is a more grey area. Since HPV infection is so common, and usually transient, performing cervical biopsies on every person positive for HPV would be troublesome for women.

What if I test positive for HPV 16?

What if I Test Positive for HPV 16 or 18? Testing positive for HPV types 16 or 18 doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop cervical cancer, but it does mean that any dysplasia found in a Pap test carries a higher risk of becoming a cancer.

Can a Pap come back normal and still have HPV?

Yes, this does happen occasionally. As you are aware, certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) act as the causative agents of cervical cancer. The HPV test detects the presence of HPV DNA or RNA.

Can you have a positive HPV test and a normal Pap?

The original negative Pap test was confirmed in 98.6% of these cases, and a cellular abnormality was found in only 1.4% (6 patients). This data supports that most patients with a negative Pap and a positive HPV just have an HPV infection.

Does a normal Pap mean HPV is gone?

A Pap test result can be normal, unclear, or abnormal. An HPV test result can be positive or negative. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

Should I be worried if my pap smear came back positive for HPV?

If the results of your Pap test come back positive, that means your doctor found abnormal or unusual cells on your cervix. It doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

What happens if your positive for 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.

Should I date someone with HPV?

Ending a relationship with someone because they have HPV is unnecessary. With vaccination and safer sex practices, you can continue to have a healthy sex life while avoiding stress and anxiety. With that said, most couples should work from the assumption that both they HPV, even if there’s no way to find out.