HPV

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common group of viruses spread primarily through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Most sexually active people are exposed to HPV at some point, often without knowing it because the infection usually causes no symptoms.

What symptoms or health problems can HPV cause?

Most HPV infections resolve naturally and do not cause health problems.

Certain HPV types can cause genital warts. Other high-risk types may cause abnormal cell changes that can eventually lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, or throat.

The HPV types that cause genital warts are generally different from those associated with cancer. A positive HPV result does not mean that you have cancer.

How is HPV diagnosed?

In gynecologic care, an HPV test checks a cervical sample for high-risk HPV types.

A Pap test and an HPV test evaluate different things:

• A Pap test looks for abnormal cervical cells.
• An HPV test detects high-risk HPV.

Depending on your age, history, and previous results, cervical cancer screening may include a Pap test, an HPV test, or both.

What happens after a positive HPV test?

Your provider considers your HPV type, Pap result, age, and previous screening history when recommending follow-up.

The next step may include:

• Repeating Pap or HPV testing after a recommended interval
• Additional HPV testing
• Colposcopy
• Cervical biopsy when appropriate

Not every positive HPV result requires immediate treatment. For more information about cervical cell changes, visit our Abnormal Pap Smear service page.

Is there a cure for HPV?

There is no medication that directly removes HPV from the body. In most patients, the immune system controls the infection naturally within one to two years.

Treatment is available for health problems caused by HPV, such as genital warts or abnormal cervical cells.

Who should receive the HPV vaccine?

HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at ages 11–12 and may begin as early as age 9. Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for patients who were not adequately vaccinated earlier.

For adults ages 27–45, vaccination may be considered after discussing the potential benefits with a healthcare professional.

The vaccine prevents new infections but does not treat an existing HPV infection.

Schedule an HPV consultation

Vaccination, appropriate cervical cancer screening, and timely follow-up can reduce the risk of HPV-related disease.

Call Bayard Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or request an appointment online to discuss HPV testing, vaccination, or a positive result.