When was hpv detected

It is often done at the same time as a pap smear, a procedure that checks for abnormal cells that can also lead to cervical cancer. When an HPV test and a pap smear are done at the same time, it's called co-testing. HPV testing in not recommended for women younger than 30 who have had normal pap smear results. Cervical cancer is rare in this age group, but HPV infections are common. Most HPV infections in young women clear up without treatment.

For an HPV test, you will lie on your back on an exam table, with your knees bent. You will rest your feet in supports called stirrups. Your health care provider will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to open the vagina, so the cervix can be seen.

Your provider will then use a soft brush or plastic spatula to collect cells from the cervix. If you are also getting a pap smear, your provider may use the same sample for both tests, or collect a second sample of cells. You should not have the test while you are having your period. You should also avoid certain activities before testing.

Starting two days before your test, you should not:. There are no known risks to an HPV test. You may feel some mild discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, you may have a little bleeding or other vaginal discharge. No high-risk HPV was found. Your health care provider may recommend you come back for another screening in five years, or sooner depending on your age and medical history.

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. These tests may include:. If your results were positive, it's important to get regular or more frequent tests. It can take decades for abnormal cervical cells to turn into cancer. If found early, abnormal cells can be treated before they become cancerous.

It's much easier to prevent cervical cancer than to treat it once it develops. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. See HPV Vaccines for more on this. If you are sexually active, limiting the number of sex partners and avoiding sexual activity with people who have had many other sex partners can help lower your risk of exposure to genital HPV. But again, HPV is very common, so having sexual contact with even one other person can put you at risk.

And condoms must be used every time, from start to finish. Condoms are very helpful, though, in protecting against other infections that can be spread through sexual activity. Most people will never know they have HPV because they have no symptoms and most won't develop health problems because of HPV.

In most people, their immune system attacks the virus and clears the HPV infection, typically within 2 years. This is true of both high-risk and low-risk HPV types. But sometimes HPV infections are not cleared by the body. Infection with a high-risk HPV type usually has no symptoms. But, this type of HPV can lead to cell changes that over many years may develop into cancer.

Infection with a low-risk HPV type can cause genital warts. Genital warts may appear within weeks or months after contact with a partner who has HPV. The warts may also show up years after exposure, but this is rare. The warts usually look like small bumps or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. But, the warts caused by low-risk HPV types rarely turn into cancer.

Results come back in about 2 weeks. Nine in 10 infections are not detectable in 1 to 2 years. This approach is called watchful waiting. By keeping an eye out for changes, you can swiftly take action if an issue arises. You can also avoid costs and procedures that might ultimately be unnecessary.

Others sometimes get false-negatives when they have an infection. You may also experience anxiety and worry. However, the doctor may also charge you the cost of a clinic or office visit.

That will make your overall bill higher. If you elect to have a Pap test at the same time, you may have that additional cost. If you have questions about what your plan will or will not cover, call your insurance company before your visit. This way, you can find an office that fits your budget and provides the services you need.

Your doctor will let you know when you should have your next screening. Your doctor may want to do a follow-up test to determine if you have a high-risk strain of the virus.

However, some doctors may choose to not act on the positive result yet. In that case, they may want to do a follow-up screening in a year to see if the result has changed and if your cervical cells are impacted. Your doctor may want to take a biopsy of your cervix. They may also suggest a colposcopy. In this procedure, they will use a magnifying lens to take a closer look at the cervix.

Depending on these results, your doctor may suggest removing areas of the cervix that have abnormal cells, if possible. HPV is a common type of sexually transmitted infection. In fact, most sexually active people will have some strain of the virus at some point in their lives.