Military HPV

Hi sorry to bother you but I would appreciate your help. Im leaving for the military in two weeks and im worried that I will be disqualified for having an abnormal pap, low grade HPV. I had one done after I enlisted and was worried to tell my recruiter...the nurse said its not grounds to be disqualified for and ill be fine. Will it be an issue? will I be discharged?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I don't know too much about military rules, but if they disqualified everyone for HPV, we would have very few people left in the military!

At least one in every six persons has been exposed to HPV, and probably more than that, so I REALLY doubt it will be a problem for you.

I think the military requires regular check ups, and that IS going to be very important for you!  Approx 75% of cases of HPV in young women will clear up on their own without treatment.  Another 15% will persist as low grade.  About 10% will worsen to high grade, and even worse if it is ignored.  If you follow your doctors'  recommendations and have regular paps, etc.  You should never get cervical cancer.

Hope this helps!

By the way, thanks for defending our country!

Dr B