- Most HPV infections clear on their own within two years.
- HPV 16 and 18 cause most cervical cancers — persistence is what matters.
- Attending screening is far more protective than avoiding a diagnosis.
What HPV actually is
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of more than 200 related viruses. Around 40 of them are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and can affect the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and throat. Roughly 80% of sexually active women will encounter at least one strain during their lifetime.
The vast majority of HPV infections are cleared silently by the immune system within 12–24 months. The problem is not infection itself; the problem is persistent infection with certain high-risk strains.
Which strains actually matter
There are about 14 high-risk (oncogenic) strains. Two of them — HPV 16 and HPV 18 — cause roughly 70% of cervical cancers worldwide. Low-risk strains such as 6 and 11 do not cause cancer but can cause genital warts.
When a smear reports HPV positive, the important question is which strain and whether cell changes are visible. Most UK laboratories now report HPV 16, HPV 18, and 'other high-risk' separately for exactly this reason.
When you should worry — and when you shouldn't
A single HPV positive result with a normal cytology is common and rarely urgent — repeat testing in 12 months is often all that is needed. Persistent HPV 16 or 18 with any degree of abnormal cells (LSIL, HSIL, CIN 2/3) needs colposcopy and, in many cases, treatment.
The women who develop cervical cancer are almost always women who dropped out of screening. Attending your smears is the single most powerful thing you can do.
Frequently asked questions
Does HPV mean I've been unfaithful — or my partner has?
No. HPV can lie dormant for years. A positive result today does not tell you when or from whom the infection came.
Will I definitely get cervical cancer?
No. Only a small minority of persistent high-risk infections progress to cancer, and only over many years — plenty of time for screening to catch it.
Should my partner be tested?
There is no routine HPV test for men in the UK, and treating a partner does not change your outcome.
Could a doctor-led plan help you?
A 30-minute video consultation with Dr Berra Önsoy — reviewing your test results and giving you a clear, personalised next step.
Request a video consultation