Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test

HPV Test Results

Receiving test results

You can receive at-home HPV test results within three to four days of the lab receiving your specimen. Account for shipping time. You may get results by phone, secure email, the testing company’s web portal, or a smartphone application. Doctors’ office HPV test results are usually available within a week. You might receive results on a secure online portal or receive a phone call from your doctor to discuss the results or make a follow-up appointment if necessary.

Interpreting test results

HPV test results are reported as positive or negative.

A positive test result indicates that evidence of an infection with a high-risk strain of HPV was found in the sample of cervical cells. If HPV genotyping was performed, results may include the individual strain of HPV detected. HPV genotyping usually looks for HPV 16 and 18, the strains associated with the highest risk of cancer, but sometimes also includes testing for other high-risk HPV types.

A negative HPV test result means that there is no evidence of an infection with a high-risk strain of HPV at the time of the test.

At-home test kit results can report results as “detected” or “not detected” but do not identify which high-risk strains are present if your test is positive.

Always consult with your doctor about HPV test results. If you get your test at a clinic, hospital, or medical setting, a health care professional will follow up with you to discuss the results and any follow-up steps, if necessary. If you take the test at home, discuss your results with your doctor. They might recommend further testing and can answer any questions about the test, results, and next steps.

Follow-up testing might be necessary if an HPV test is positive or you have an abnormal Pap smear. Your age and health history also come into play. For example, you might have a greater risk of developing abnormal cervical cells.

Depending on your estimated risk level, a positive HPV test may signal the need for shorter intervals between HPV tests in the future, a follow-up Pap smear, or the need for expedited treatment to remove abnormal cervical cells. Additional considerations after a positive HPV test include:

• Detecting HPV 16 or 18: If HPV genotyping detects an infection with HPV 16 or 18, doctors may recommend a colposcopy to examine the cervix and a biopsy to look for abnormal cells that require treatment.
• First positive result: If you have a positive HPV test after previous negative results, it usually means a new HPV infection. While most new HPV infections will be followed up by a negative result in six to 12 months, this doesn’t always mean that the body has cleared the infection. The HPV virus can go dormant and reappear on future tests.
• Recurrent positive result: This is a positive HPV test, followed by a negative HPV test, and then another positive test result. Most recurrent positive infections are reactivations of dormant infections that were acquired soon after you became sexually active. Recurrent positive results increase the risk for a persistent HPV infection.
• Persistent positive results: While most people clear the HPV virus within one to two years without complication, about 10% of patients with HPV on the cervix develop persistent infections or two consecutive positive HPV tests at least 12 months apart. If you have persistent HPV infections, you are at a higher risk of developing abnormal cell changes in the cervix, so work with a doctor for appropriate follow-up.

A doctor can address detailed questions about HPV and your test results. Some questions that you might wish to review with your doctor include:

• What does my test result mean for my future cervical cancer screening?
• Are there any follow-up tests that may be beneficial given my test result?
• Am I a good candidate for HPV vaccination?