What does low risk HPV mean?

Low risk (HPV not detected): This means that no high-risk (cancer causing) HPV was found on your cervix. The chance of developing cervical cell changes that would need treatment in the next five years are very low. For that reason, you should wait for five years before having another cervical screening test.

Can you test positive for low risk HPV?

A normal result means you do not have a high-risk type of HPV. Some tests will also check for the presence of low-risk HPV, and this may be reported. If you are positive for low-risk HPV, your provider will guide you in making decisions about treatment.

Is low risk HPV a big deal?

HPV is the most common STD, but most of the time it isn’t a big deal. It usually goes away on its own, and most people don’t even know that they ever had HPV. Remember that most people who have sex get HPV at some point in their lives.

What does low risk HPV look like?

Low-risk HPV strains, such as HPV 6 and 11, cause about 90% of genital warts, which rarely develop into cancer. These growths can look like bumps. Sometimes, they’re shaped like cauliflower. The warts can show up weeks or months after you’ve had sex with an infected partner.

How is low-risk HPV treated?

Genital warts (low-risk HPV): there’s no cure for genital warts, but it’s possible for your body to clear the virus over time. The warts can be removed using creams, freezing or heating.

Does low-risk HPV show up on a Pap smear?

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.

Can low-risk HPV cause symptoms?

Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection with most low-risk genital HPV strains doesn’t cause symptoms and disappears when the body builds immunity to the virus. These strains have no association with cancer but can lead to genital warts.

Can your body clear HPV?

In most cases, your body can produce antibodies against the virus and clear the virus within one to two years. Most strains of HPV go away permanently without treatment. Because of this, it isn’t uncommon to contract and clear the virus completely without ever knowing that you had it.