HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus spread through skin-to-skin genital contact. There are many different strains of HPV. Most are harmless and cause no symptoms at all. A smaller number of "high-risk" strains are associated with cervical cancer and some other cancers, which is why cervical screening specifically tests for these high-risk strains rather than HPV in general.
Is HPV the Same as an STI Like Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea?
Not exactly. HPV is sexually transmitted, but it behaves differently to bacterial STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are bacterial infections treated with antibiotics. HPV is a virus - there's no treatment for the virus itself, and in most cases, the body clears it naturally over time without any intervention. Cervical screening exists to monitor for the small number of cases where a high-risk strain persists and causes cell changes that need follow-up.
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 National Cervical Screening Program (Australian Government), most cases of HPV clear up on their own within 1 to 2 years, and 9 out of 10 people who have a Cervical Screening Test receive a result showing low risk for cervical cancer. If the body doesn't clear the virus, it can cause abnormal cervical cell changes - which is what cervical screening is designed to detect early, before those changes can develop into cervical cancer.
How Do You Get HPV?
HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin genital contact. This means it can be transmitted through penetrative sex, but also through other forms of intimate skin-to-skin contact, which is why cervical screening is recommended for people with a cervix regardless of whether they've had penetrative sex.
Because transmission doesn't require penetration or fluid exchange, condoms reduce but don't eliminate the risk of transmission, since they don't cover all areas of skin-to-skin contact.
How Is HPV Detected?
HPV is detected through cervical screening, a swab test that checks specifically for high-risk HPV strains. In Australia, this replaced the older Pap smear test in 2017, when the National Cervical Screening Program moved to HPV-based testing as the primary screening method. Since July 2022, self-collection has been available to all eligible people as a full alternative to a clinician-collected sample, rather than only being offered in limited circumstances.
Self-collection means taking your own vaginal swab sample, rather than having a clinician perform the test with a speculum, a change that has made screening considerably more accessible for people who found the traditional exam uncomfortable, embarrassing, or difficult to access.
What Happens After a HPV Test?
According to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 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 result - the lab couldn't read your sample properly; you'll need to come back for a repeat test in 6 to 12 weeks. This doesn't mean anything's wrong - it can happen for a range of technical reasons.
- Return to screen in 12 months - HPV was detected, but not types 16 or 18, and no further investigation is needed right now. There's a good chance your immune system will clear the infection within that year; if it has, you'll return to five-yearly screening. If it hasn't, your healthcare provider will advise on next steps.
- Refer to a specialist - either a type of HPV that needs further investigation was found, or the test found abnormal cells that may need treatment. You'll be referred to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist) for a colposcopy - a procedure similar to a Cervical Screening Test, where the specialist examines the cervix more closely. This does not mean you have cervical cancer.
It's worth knowing that an HPV infection usually doesn't turn into cervical cancer, and when it does, it's typically a slow process - it can take 10 to 15 years for an HPV infection to cause the cell changes that may eventually lead to cervical cancer. This is exactly why regular screening works: there's a long window to catch and manage changes well before they become serious.
Your doctor will explain exactly what your specific result means and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
Who Should Get Screened for HPV?
In Australia, cervical screening is recommended for anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, every five years if your previous result was normal. This includes people who have never had penetrative sex, people who have had the HPV vaccine, and transgender men and non-binary people with a cervix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can men get HPV?
Yes. HPV can infect anyone who has skin-to-skin genital contact, regardless of sex. Cervical screening specifically applies to people with a cervix because it's monitoring for cervical cell changes but HPV itself isn't specific to one sex.
Can HPV be cured?
There's no treatment for the HPV virus itself. In most cases, the immune system clears the infection naturally over time. Follow-up and treatment focus on any cell changes HPV may cause, not the virus itself.
If I've had the HPV vaccine, do I still need to be screened?
Yes. The vaccine reduces your risk but doesn't cover every HPV strain, and doesn't help with any strain you may have already been exposed to.
Is a positive HPV result something to panic about?
No. Most HPV infections clear on their own. A positive result means monitoring or follow-up is needed.
The Bottom Line
HPV is common, usually harmless, and clears on its own in most people. Cervical screening exists to catch the exceptions early and in Australia, that screening can now be done with a self-collected sample, without a speculum or clinical examination.
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.