Health
Let’s talk about HPV: 7 common questions answered – Cancer Research UK
Cervical screening monitors for infections with these high-risk strains of HPV. It can show whether you have HPV, whether a previous infection has cleared since your last screening appointment, or whether HPV has caused the cells in the cervix to change.
If screening doesn’t find high-risk HPV, you’ll be invited back in five years if you live in England, Wales or Scotland and are still eligible. If high-risk HPV is found but there are no cell changes, you’ll usually be invited for another screening appointment a year later. In this time, most people will clear HPV from their body naturally.
If high-risk HPV is found with cell changes this does not mean you have cancer. But you may be monitored or have treatment to remove the abnormal cells. This can help to prevent cervical cancer from developing.
If I’ve had HPV once, can I get it again?
There are over a hundred different types, or strains, of HPV and around 14 of these are linked to cancer. So, it’s possible to have multiple infections and you might have different strains of HPV picked up at cervical screening over the years.
What the science is less clear on is reinfection – getting the same strain of HPV again.
Our immune system generally works by recognising something that’s not right – like an infection – and building an immunity to stop it happening again. But some studies have shown that our natural immunity against HPV isn’t very good, so it can be possible to have the same infection again.
There’s still lots of research to be done to understand this properly and whether reinfection could happen between partners.
Does my partner have it and how can I protect them?
It can be difficult to know whether a partner has HPV because it often causes no symptoms and most people are never tested for it. The NHS does not offer testing for HPV apart from as part of the national cervical screening programme.
There are some ways to reduce the risk of getting or passing on HPV, but it’s important to remember that it’s a very common virus and it’s normal to have it at points in your life.
As HPV is passed between people during close skin to skin contact, barrier methods like condoms and dental dams can reduce risk, but they don’t work perfectly. Having HPV doesn’t mean you need to stop having sex with your partner, but sexual health and consent is always important to talk about with any sexual partners.
With all that said, try not to worry about it too much. Even though HPV infection itself is common, it leading to cancer isn’t. Most people will have an HPV infection at some point in their life but only a small amount of people will develop a cancer linked to HPV.
Can I give HPV to my kids?
HPV can be passed between mother and child during pregnancy or delivery, but it’s not very likely. And if it does happen, usually the infection clears up by itself and there are no issues for the child.
There’s more research needed to understand the transmission between mother and child. HPV can also be passed through breastfeeding, but this is very rare and shouldn’t be a reason not to breastfeed. If it’s something you’re concerned about, talk to your doctor or midwife.
Should I get the HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccination is an important part of reducing the number of people with high-risk HPV and in turn, the number of people who develop HPV related cancers. In the UK, all children between the ages of 11 and 13 are offered the HPV vaccine, usually as part of the school vaccination programme. Children who do not attend school can get the vaccine via their GP.