Are abnormal pap smear and hpv the same thing?

Yes and no: You can have a mildly abnormal pap smear (ascus) and it can still be hpv negative. We generally treat this result the same as a normal pap smear. Other abnormal pap smears are usually designated as hpv positive. Most classifications of abnormal pap smears are the result of an hpv infection.

Almost: Iy is estimated that over 98% of abnormal paps are caused by hpv and over 99% of cervical cancers are caused by hpv. The pap smear is looking at the cervical cells, hpv is the virus that can infect and affect those cells.