Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection, and it’s estimated that nearly all sexually active adults will be exposed to it at some point in their lives. An estimated 80 million Americans have HPV, but unfortunately, many don’t even realize they have it.
While many strains of HPV are harmless and resolve on their own, certain types can lead to more serious health complications, including precancerous cervical changes and increased risk of cervical cancer.
Here at Westover Hills Women's Health, our team of board-certified OB/GYNs can check for HPV infections during your Pap smear. If you’re due for a Pap smear or HPV test, don’t hesitate to visit us here in San Antonio, Texas.
Read on as our team highlights the potential risks of HPV, what makes it life-threatening, and how you can reduce those risks.
There are over 100 different strains of HPV, but not all of them are harmful. HPV can be grouped into two main categories:
These types of HPV are generally not life-threatening and often cause no symptoms. Low-risk strains can sometimes cause benign warts on your skin or genitals, but they don’t lead to cancer.
About a dozen HPV strains are considered high-risk because they can lead to cancer if they persist in your body. The most concerning high-risk types are HPV 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancers.
While HPV itself isn’t directly life-threatening, the infections it can cause can be problematic. HPV can contribute to:
Most HPV infections resolve within a year or two, as your immune system fights off the virus. But if the infection persists, especially with high-risk HPV types, it can lead to abnormal cell changes in affected tissues.
If HPV contributes to cellular changes on your cervix, those changes are described as minor (low-grade) or severe (high-grade).
If left untreated, these cell changes (especially the high-grade changes) can become cancerous over time. For example, abnormal cells in your cervix due to HPV infection can gradually progress to cervical cancer if not detected and managed early.
In addition to cervical cancer, HPV can contribute to other types of cancer, including:
The high number of infections shows the importance of regular monitoring for HPV-related cancers, cervical cancer screenings, and HPV vaccination to help prevent these diseases. The earlier a potential issue is spotted, the sooner you can get started with treatment.
You can take steps to reduce your risk of contracting an HPV infection through:
The HPV vaccine prevents about 90% of cancers caused by HPV, but it’s best for people under the age of 26. If you’re under the age of 26 and haven’t been vaccinated against HPV, talk to your Westover Hills Women’s Health provider.
Using condoms and limiting your number of sexual partners can reduce your exposure to HPV, though it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely.
When Pap smears and HPV testing are done at the same time, it’s called co-testing. The Pap smear detects any abnormal cells, while the HPV test looks for infections.
How often you need a Pap smear and/or HPV test depends on your age and if you’ve ever had abnormal Pap smears before. For example, women aged 30-65 should get a co-test every five years, while a woman aged 21-29 might benefit from a Pap smear every three years.
If you have an abnormal result, you may need a re-test more often than that. We can recommend the right cadence for you.
If you have an abnormal Pap smear and/or a positive HPV test, we can walk you through your next steps.
We may suggest a repeat co-test, a colposcopy to learn more about the abnormal cells, or other treatments to remove the abnormal cells. In this case, treatment — such as loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) — can remove precancerous cells before they have a chance to transform into cancerous ones.
If you’re due for a Pap smear or have concerns about HPV, call our nearest San Antonio, Texas, location, or simply book your next exam online.
