A 29-year-old female asked:
Do the cancer causing hpv strains "go away"? is the body able to "fight off" hpv cancer strains so it does not show up on pap results?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sewa Leghaanswered
Medical Oncology 52 years experience
They often do: There is frequent resolution of hpv infections caused by development of immunity in most of the women but not in all. The risk of cancer goes up when the hpv infection persists and becomes chronic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Dennis Higginbothamanswered
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Yes: The immune system does clear hpv in over 90% of people. It can take up to three years in some people for the virus to be irradicated by the immune system.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 21-year-old female asked:
I had an abnormal pap. Hpv test was neg for high risk strains. Can the BV i had then cause atypical results or is it always hpv? No sex in 3+ years.
Dr. Jerry Fioramontianswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
BV: Bacterial vaginosis may cause an abnormal pap test. Treat the BV successfully and then have a repeat pap test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
View all answers
A 32-year-old female asked:
Causes for atypical squamous cells finding on pap with a negative hpv? Can these cells just go back to normal? Does this mean cancer??
Dr. Sewa Leghaanswered
Medical Oncology 52 years experience
Yes they can become: Atypical cells can be due to many causes. some of these causes(like infection/inflammation) do resolve and the cells then normalize. Your doctor just... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Got pap smear done and it came back as "HPV Negative' However some atypical cells were found. What are atypical cells? What causes them? Is it cancer?
Dr. Robert Uyedaanswered
General Surgery 47 years experience
Atypical: cells are those cells that have abnormal appearance on cytology, usually caused by infection. It is not cancer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Does HPV automatically mean cancer in the future? Is it a lifetime disease? What are other causes for an abnormal pap besides chlamydia?
Dr. Simon Kimmanswered
Urology 18 years experience
Relationship complex: Hpv does not automatically mean cancer. The relationship between cancer formation & hpv infection is complex, as there are many subtypes of hpv: some ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Simon Kimm commented
Urology 18 years experience
Provided original answer
From the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology: http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq161.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130304T1137439834
Mar 4, 2013
A 26-year-old female asked:
Could I have given my baby the type of HPV that causes cervical cancer during his birth? I don't have warts, just one abnormal pap 1 yr after birth.
Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
HPV: We don't do c sections for non genital hpv and even with the genital hpv, we only do it if the warts appear to be severe and or obstructive to the bir... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 11, 2014
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