If you get a positive HPV test, your physician has detected one or more high risk strains of the virus on the Pap test of your cervix. If the virus stays with you for a long time, it can cause cell changes that can lead to several types of cancer.

Is HPV positive serious?

A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV thats linked to cervical cancer. It doesnt mean that you have cervical cancer now, but its a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future.

Should you tell your partner about HPV?

Its best to disclose before sexual contact — any sexual contact. Herpes and HPV are both transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, which means that simply rubbing genitals together, even without penetration, can pass the virus from one person to another. Both of these viruses can also be transmitted by oral sex.