HPV Diagnosis

How do I know if I have got HPV?

HPV is very common and most of us will have an HPV infection at some point in our lives.

The HPV virus is good at "hiding" and a person usually won't know if they have or have not got HPV. Being a carrier of HPV without any symptoms is common and normal as the majority of people with HPV don't know they have it.

A person will know if they have HPV if they have visible genital warts or if they have an abnormal cervical smear.

There are tests for HPV but these tests are limited in which HPV types they test for.

HPV can be tested for in conjuntion with a cervical smear. The purpose of this test is to help the doctor in further management decisions on abnormal cervical smear results.

The HPV test that is done in conjunction with cervical smears only tests for HPV 16, 18 and several other high-risk HPV types. HPV tests are geared to high-risk types only and do not include all the types of HPV.

Unfortunately, there is no test for HPV in either males or females that will test for all the types of HPV. This means that HPV testing as part of a sexual health check (routine check up) at the doctors/clinic cannot be done.

 

About HPV Virus

About HPV Virus

HPV is thought to be the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world, and most people are infected with HPV at some time in their…
HPV Key Facts

HPV Key Facts

HPV infection - key information – Vaccination against HPV has been available for many years. 80% of unvaccinated adults will pick up HPV at some point…
HPV Strains

HPV Strains

Papilloma is a word that means a small wart-like growth on the skin or mucous membrane. There are many types of papilloma infections - even some that…
HPV & Cancer

HPV & Cancer

While HPV is an extremely common infection, and there is a link between HPV and cervical, anal, penile, some vulval and throat cancers, it is…
HPV & Throat Cancer

HPV & Throat Cancer

HPV is transmitted to your mouth by oral sex. It may also be possible to get oral HPV in other ways. An increased number of oral sex partners…
HPV & Cervical Cancer

HPV & Cervical Cancer

Some types of HPV are linked to abnormal cell changes on the cervix which place women at higher risk of abnormal cervical smears and developing…
HPV & Other Cancers

HPV & Other Cancers

HPV and penile cancer – HPV-related penile cancers most often affect the ‘head’ of the penis and are rare. HPV and anal cancer – HPV-associated anal…
FAQ

FAQ

Frequently asked questions and key facts about HPV – Human Papillomavirus – FAQ's
HPV & Relationships

HPV & Relationships

The emotional impact of finding out that you or your partner has an STI can sometimes be worse than the actual infection. It’s really important to…