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What Are The Different Types Of HPV Infection?
Brief Answer:
Indicates a high risk strain of HPV
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. HPV comes in genetic strains, where the DNA varies a little in each type. Several strains have been associated with cervical cancer. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, the doctor will often check the HPV strains to see if you have one of the high risk strains to verify your risk for cervical cancer and take appropriate early action to prevent it from occurring. The HPV test may be done even with a normal Pap.
The numbers you see listed are the strains that have been associated with cancer. Other strains may be present but they are not known to cause cancer and therefore are not checked. The test you had only differentiates strains 16 and 18 from all the others. HPV 16 and 18 are the most aggressive in terms of cancer. If either one is positive, the doctor will want to do a colposcopy (microscopic look at cervix with possible biopsy) right away to be sure no cancer cells are present.
You are not positive for the virulent strains. You are positive for one of the less virulent strains. What this means is that you may be at some risk for cervical cancer but this does not need prompt evaluation with a colposcopy unless your Pap smear is very abnormal. Your case can be managed with more frequent Pap smears (every 6 months or so), and a colposcopy need not be done unless the Pap smear changes.
Thus something to keep in mind and follow regularly per your doctor's recommendations but no need to be scared you necessarily have cancer, since you don't mention an abnormal Pap smear. However, even if cancer is starting and your Pap smear is abnormal, it is early enough that it can be cured. That is why Pap smears are done- to catch and stop cancer early, before it spreads.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Indicates a high risk strain of HPV
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. HPV comes in genetic strains, where the DNA varies a little in each type. Several strains have been associated with cervical cancer. If you have an abnormal Pap smear, the doctor will often check the HPV strains to see if you have one of the high risk strains to verify your risk for cervical cancer and take appropriate early action to prevent it from occurring. The HPV test may be done even with a normal Pap.
The numbers you see listed are the strains that have been associated with cancer. Other strains may be present but they are not known to cause cancer and therefore are not checked. The test you had only differentiates strains 16 and 18 from all the others. HPV 16 and 18 are the most aggressive in terms of cancer. If either one is positive, the doctor will want to do a colposcopy (microscopic look at cervix with possible biopsy) right away to be sure no cancer cells are present.
You are not positive for the virulent strains. You are positive for one of the less virulent strains. What this means is that you may be at some risk for cervical cancer but this does not need prompt evaluation with a colposcopy unless your Pap smear is very abnormal. Your case can be managed with more frequent Pap smears (every 6 months or so), and a colposcopy need not be done unless the Pap smear changes.
Thus something to keep in mind and follow regularly per your doctor's recommendations but no need to be scared you necessarily have cancer, since you don't mention an abnormal Pap smear. However, even if cancer is starting and your Pap smear is abnormal, it is early enough that it can be cured. That is why Pap smears are done- to catch and stop cancer early, before it spreads.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick response. I would like to know if there is any treatment so I can kill the virus. and I also would like to know if it is safe for my partner to give oral sex, I know that wearing a condom while having sex it's safe.
Thank you again
Thank you again
Brief Answer:
Some risk for oral sex
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately there is no known treatment at this time for HPV. There is a vaccination that is given to children and may be given to young people up to the early 20s that might prevent it, but will do nothing if you already have.
HPV can be passed by oral sex, and has been associated with throat cancer. The majority of these are caused by HPV 16, which you don't have. Otherwise most people who have oral HPV don't have any symptoms.
Wearing a condom is safe. A barrier method can also be used when your partner gives you oral sex. This could be a dental dam, or even a condom cut along the side and unrolled to make a flat cover, placed over the vulvar area to act as a barrier during oral sex.
Hope this helps.
Some risk for oral sex
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately there is no known treatment at this time for HPV. There is a vaccination that is given to children and may be given to young people up to the early 20s that might prevent it, but will do nothing if you already have.
HPV can be passed by oral sex, and has been associated with throat cancer. The majority of these are caused by HPV 16, which you don't have. Otherwise most people who have oral HPV don't have any symptoms.
Wearing a condom is safe. A barrier method can also be used when your partner gives you oral sex. This could be a dental dam, or even a condom cut along the side and unrolled to make a flat cover, placed over the vulvar area to act as a barrier during oral sex.
Hope this helps.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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