Your HPV test came back positive — what happens next?

First, breathe. A positive HPV result is far more common than people expect, and it does not mean you have cancer — in most cases it never will. It means the screening program is doing its job: spotting a risk early, when it's simple to keep an eye on. Here's exactly what a positive result means, and what happens next.

What a positive HPV result actually means

Cervical screening now tests for HPV (human papillomavirus), the common virus that can — over many years, and only sometimes — lead to changes in cervical cells. An "HPV detected" result means the virus was found. It does not mean you have cancer, or even abnormal cells; it means you're someone worth watching a little more closely.¹ That early warning is the entire point of screening.

HPV is extremely common

Most people who have ever been sexually active will have HPV at some point — it really is that common. In the large majority, the immune system clears it on its own within a year or two, with no treatment and no lasting effect.² Only a small number of people have an infection that persists long enough to cause cell changes that need attention, and screening exists precisely to find those early. A positive result is common; cancer arising from it is rare.

What happens next depends on the HPV type

Your result will say which type of HPV was found, and that guides the next step:¹

• HPV 16 or 18. These two types carry the highest risk, so you'll be referred for a colposcopy — a closer look at the cervix (more on that below).
• Other high-risk HPV types. The next step is to check the cells themselves with a test called cytology (the modern version of the old Pap test). If you did a self-collected screening test, a clinician-collected sample is needed for this step, because cell testing can't be done on a self-collected sample. Depending on what the cytology shows, you'll either repeat the HPV test in 12 months or be referred for colposcopy.

Your GP walks you through exactly which path applies to you — you won't have to work it out yourself.

What a colposcopy actually is

A colposcopy sounds more alarming than it is. A specialist uses a magnifying instrument — which stays outside your body — to look closely at the cervix, usually taking just a few minutes. It's a look, not a treatment. If they see an area worth checking, they may take a small biopsy. Many people who have a colposcopy need nothing more than ongoing monitoring.³

What Clinic365 does when your result is positive

You won't get a confusing result and be left to decode it. If your cervical screening test comes back HPV-positive, a Specialist GP calls you to explain what was found, what it means, and the specific next step for your result — then arranges the follow-up test or the colposcopy referral for you. It's handled by phone and SMS, so you're supported the whole way through rather than navigating it alone.

Can you get rid of HPV?

There's no medication that clears HPV itself — your immune system does that, and for most people it does. A few things help your odds: not smoking (smoking makes HPV harder to clear), and the HPV vaccine, which protects against the highest-risk types.² Most important of all, keep screening when you're due — that's what catches any change early. And there's nothing to be ashamed of: HPV is a normal part of having been intimate with anyone, not a reflection on you.

Positive HPV result FAQs

Does a positive HPV test mean I have cancer?

No. It means the virus was found. Most HPV infections clear on their own and never cause cancer — a positive result simply flags you for closer monitoring.

Will I need a colposcopy?

Only if HPV 16 or 18 is found, or if cell testing shows changes. Many positive results just mean repeating the HPV test in 12 months.

Can HPV be treated?

There's no cure for the virus itself; the immune system usually clears it. Any cell changes that need treatment can be treated effectively when found early.