This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical guidelines are reviewed and updated over time — always confirm current advice with a qualified health provider. If you're experiencing severe pain, fever, or other urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention rather than relying on this article or at-home testing.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus that spreads through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. There are different types of HPV that can affect different parts of the body, and HPV causes almost all cervical cancers. That's why Australia's Cervical Screening Test checks for HPV.
Is HPV the Same as an STI Like Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea?
HPV is passed on through sexual contact, but it's different to chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacterial infections treated with antibiotics. HPV is a virus, and there is currently no treatment that cures it. According to healthdirect, in most people the body clears the virus by itself within 1 to 2 years.
Does Having HPV Mean I Have Cancer?
No. A positive HPV result means the virus has been detected. It is not a cancer diagnosis. According to the Department of Health, an HPV infection usually doesn't turn into cervical cancer, and it can take 10 to 15 years for an HPV infection to cause cell changes. Cervical screening is designed to find HPV so any changes can be followed up early.
How Do You Get HPV?
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin or sexual contact, including sex without penetration. People can pass on HPV without having symptoms.
According to healthdirect, condoms do not fully protect against HPV because they do not prevent all skin-to-skin contact.
How Is HPV Detected?
HPV is detected through the Cervical Screening Test, which replaced the Pap test in Australia in 2017. You can choose to collect your own vaginal sample instead of having a clinician collect a sample using a speculum. Self-collection is available to anyone who is eligible for cervical screening.
According to Queensland Health, a self-collected cervical screening test is just as safe and accurate at detecting HPV as a clinician-collected sample. A self-collected sample can only be tested for HPV, not for cell changes.
Skip the speculum. Do your Cervical Screening Test at home with our HPV self-collection kit. Discreet delivery, prepaid return post, GP-reviewed results.
What Happens After an HPV Test?
According to the Department of Health, your result will generally fall into one of these categories:
- Return to screen in 5 years — no HPV was found. This is a negative result.
- Unsatisfactory — the lab couldn't read your sample. You'll need a repeat test in 6 to 12 weeks. This doesn't mean anything is wrong.
- Return in 12 months — HPV was found, but you don't need further investigation now. There's a good chance your immune system will clear the HPV within that year.
- Refer to a specialist — either a type of HPV that needs investigation was found, or abnormal cells were found. You'll be referred to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist) for a colposcopy, where the specialist looks more closely at the cervix. This does not mean you have cervical cancer.
If you used a self-collected sample and HPV is found, you'll need a follow-up: either a speculum examination so a clinician can collect cervical cells for testing, or a referral for colposcopy, depending on the type of HPV found.
Your doctor will explain what your result means and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
Who Should Get Screened for HPV?
The National Cervical Screening Program recommends a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 who have ever had sexual contact, even if they're not sexually active now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can men get HPV?
Yes. HPV can affect anyone who is sexually active. According to healthdirect, there is currently no HPV screening test available for males. Cervical screening applies to people with a cervix.
Can HPV be cured?
There is currently no treatment that cures HPV. In most people, the body clears the virus by itself within 1 to 2 years. Follow-up and treatment focus on any cell changes HPV may cause.
If I've had the HPV vaccine, do I still need to be screened?
Yes. According to the Department of Health, vaccinated people still need regular cervical screening, because the vaccine doesn't protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
Does a positive HPV result mean I have cancer?
No. A positive result means HPV was found. An HPV infection usually doesn't turn into cervical cancer. Your doctor will explain whether you need a repeat test in 12 months or further investigation.
The Bottom Line
HPV is a common virus that, in most people, clears by itself within 1 to 2 years. The Cervical Screening Test checks for HPV every 5 years for people with a cervix aged 25 to 74, and you can now collect your own sample instead of having a speculum examination.
You can order an at-home cervical screening kit, or read more about how cervical screening has changed. For STI testing, see our at-home STI test kits.
TestSmart's testing and treatment pathways are reviewed by Australian-registered GPs and follow current Australian clinical guidelines. This article is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice — your circumstances, symptoms, and test results should always be discussed with your reviewing doctor.