Do I have HPV?

Photo by W. Scifres

There are tests, and there are new developing tests. Have you been sexually active? Well, even if you say no, this may not actually be protective. Although many do not even call HPV a "sexually transmitted disease" because it is transmitted in so many other ways, and perhaps is mostly transmitted non-sexually in some studies showing positive cultures on nails, and fingers, and in the mouth. Why, transmission prevention probably would have to mean that all contact from all people would be prohibited, without going into any detail at all. The hc2 HPV test turns positive at about 5000 viral copies. Low levels of virus carrier rates aren't always able to be detected.So even if your prior positive tests have turned negative, it's tough to say you have really cleared the virus for all time. Have you been vaccinated? On time? With all three doses. Many women have not completed their series. It is better to get one shot than no shots, but Gyno Gab Gal says get all the shots! So it's complex, and this post just touches on a couple of the important factors, talk to your gyno to have the best plan for pap and HPV testing. The goal: first is to prevent all cervical cancer, and that my friends, is not a bad, nor a completely unrealistic New Year's Resolution!