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How can my HPV results be positive and negative?
Hello. I had a Pap smear done and STD testing. When I saw my doctor for the results, she said I tested positive for HPV. She referred me to a gynecologist. According to the results, the Pap smear was normal but Positive HPV.
I was supposed to meet the gynecologist this week, but the appointment was cancelled due the pandemic, so I was told I would have to reschedule 2 months from now.
My doctor was pretty busy when she told me the results, and said the gynecologist could probably better answer some of the questions I made. When I first read the results, I initially thought I tested positive for all 14 types of high risk HPV. I looked at the results again (this time thoroughly) to see if I could get a better understanding. What I read is the following:
HPV Aptima: Positive (reference: negative)
HPV Genotype 16: Negative (reference: negative)
HPV Genotype 18, 45: Negative (reference: negative)
What is HPV Aptima? The test I took is supposed to screen for 14 high risk types, but only the 3 above were referenced (though it says negative). Is HPV Aptima another strand?
I was supposed to meet the gynecologist this week, but the appointment was cancelled due the pandemic, so I was told I would have to reschedule 2 months from now.
My doctor was pretty busy when she told me the results, and said the gynecologist could probably better answer some of the questions I made. When I first read the results, I initially thought I tested positive for all 14 types of high risk HPV. I looked at the results again (this time thoroughly) to see if I could get a better understanding. What I read is the following:
HPV Aptima: Positive (reference: negative)
HPV Genotype 16: Negative (reference: negative)
HPV Genotype 18, 45: Negative (reference: negative)
What is HPV Aptima? The test I took is supposed to screen for 14 high risk types, but only the 3 above were referenced (though it says negative). Is HPV Aptima another strand?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm sorry this has been so confusing for you.
HPV Atima is the name of the test that looks for HPV. http://www.aptimaforher.com/
It does look for all high risk HPV, but genotypes 16, 18 and 45, which are the types most associated with cervical cancer. This means that if you had another strain of it, it would identify it as HPV, but wouldn't tell you which strain you had. If you had 16, 18 or 45, it would tell you.
So you have another strain, just not 16, 18 or 45.
Does that make sense?
Since the Pap was normal, it means that you don't have any abnormal cells on your cervix - this is good news. When you go back in a couple of months, they'll probably do both tests again to see if there are any changes in the pap and HPV test. If your pap is still normal, they'll probably ask you to repeat it again in a few months to monitor you for changes.
Does this help? Let me know if you have any other questions, or if I need to add anything to help you understand. I'm sure it's scary to wait for the appointment, but you're okay, since you don't have any abnormal cells on your cervix.
HPV Atima is the name of the test that looks for HPV. http://www.aptimaforher.com/
It does look for all high risk HPV, but genotypes 16, 18 and 45, which are the types most associated with cervical cancer. This means that if you had another strain of it, it would identify it as HPV, but wouldn't tell you which strain you had. If you had 16, 18 or 45, it would tell you.
So you have another strain, just not 16, 18 or 45.
Does that make sense?
Since the Pap was normal, it means that you don't have any abnormal cells on your cervix - this is good news. When you go back in a couple of months, they'll probably do both tests again to see if there are any changes in the pap and HPV test. If your pap is still normal, they'll probably ask you to repeat it again in a few months to monitor you for changes.
Does this help? Let me know if you have any other questions, or if I need to add anything to help you understand. I'm sure it's scary to wait for the appointment, but you're okay, since you don't have any abnormal cells on your cervix.
2 Comments
Thank you so much for clarifying this for me. I had been assuming for weeks that I had all 14 High Risk strains, so this explanation really does make me feel better. Once again, thank you. I really appreciate your response.
You're welcome. :) I'm happy to help.
If you have any more questions while you wait, or when you end up having the appointment, we're here.
Stay safe!
If you have any more questions while you wait, or when you end up having the appointment, we're here.
Stay safe!
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