HPV testing can be a challenging process, especially when you are unsure of your status. A simple Pap test will show if you are hpv positive, but you should be reassured that you do not have any risk factors for the disease. You can even undergo an intermediate risk HPV test, which detects low levels of the virus on the cervix. If you test positive for HPV but are 16 or 18, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy to confirm the results.
HPV test
If HPV test results are high and change, you may be at a higher risk for cervical cancer. This is because HPV tests do not detect all HPV types. When you are HPV positive but 16 and 18 negative, you may be infected with both subtypes. In this case, you should seek urgent medical care. However, if you get a false negative result, you should immediately schedule a follow-up procedure.
Cervical cancer
The incidence of cervical cancer is correlated with HPV types 16 and 18. The incidence varies by racial and geographic boundaries, with African-American and Hispanic women having lower HPV infection rates than white women. While HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, the low prevalence of these types in African-American women is still alarming. The HPV-positive status does not mean that you are immune to the infection.
