![]() ![]() Questions and answers about human papillomavirus (HPV). Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Cervical Screening and Cervical Cancer. Thank you to all the experts who checked the accuracy of this information, and the volunteers who shared their personal experience to help us develop it. If you’d like to talk about how you’re feeling, our Helpline volunteers are here to listen. We understand that it might be upsetting to think about passing on HPV. Evidence suggests the HPV vaccine also protects you from HPV reinfection. This means that reinfection might happen within couples.Īlthough they don’t fully protect against HPV, condoms and dental dams (thin plastic square used to cover the anus or vagina during oral sex) can reduce your risk of HPV infection. Studies show natural immunity to HPV can be low for some of us. If you get that virus again, your body can destroy it before it causes problems. Natural immunity is when your body remembers a virus from when you got it naturally in the past. Reinfection might happen within couples because different people can have different levels of natural immunity to HPV. It might help to remember that nearly all people who have had sexual contact will get HPV at some point in their life. It also does not mean that you or your partner will have cell changes or get cancer. However, this does not mean that it will cause symptoms or problems. It may be possible for two people in a monogamous relationship to both have the same type of HPV for a long time. You may also find it useful to talk to your doctor or nurse. If you’d like to talk through how you’re feeling, you can call our Helpline on 08. However, we understand that you might be worried. It just means you are at more risk of getting cancer compared to someone who doesn’t have cell changes. If you have them, or have had them before, it does not mean you will get cancer. It is important to remember that cell changes are not cancer. High-grade changes are more likely to turn into cancer than low-grade changes. Low-grade changes rarely turn into cancer. This can be called the ‘grade’ of cell changes. The level of risk depends on how much the cells have, or had, changed compared to normal cells. ![]() This is also the case if you have had them in the past. There is a higher risk of developing an HPV-related cancer if you have cell changes in your cervix. We can support you through our Helpline on 08, our online Forum and our Ask the Expert service. Evidence suggests that some types are harder than others for your body to get rid of. It is also unclear how much natural immunity to one type of HPV protects against other types. This means you might be able to get an HPV type you’ve had before. Levels of natural immunity can be different from person to person - so natural immunity to HPV is low for some of us. If you get that virus again, your immune system can destroy it quickly before it causes any problems. Natural immunity is where your body remembers a virus from when you had it naturally in the past. Scientists also think it is affected by your natural immunity. Some studies show it may be harder for you to get rid of HPV as you get older. ![]() ![]() Scientists think lots of things might affect how your body fights HPV. It might be possible for you to get HPV again - it could be an HPV type your body has cleared before, or a new type. Call our Helpline on 08, join our online Forum to speak with others, or use our Ask the Expert service. We are here to support you, no matter how you are feeling. This means it may be possible for you to get the same HPV type again, or a type which you haven’t had before. We are also unsure how much natural immunity to one HPV type might protect you from another type. When you are infected with a virus naturally and your body remembers it, this is called ‘natural immunity’.īecause we are all different, some people have lower natural immunity to HPV than others. This means that if you get that virus again, your immune system can destroy it quickly before it causes any problems. Sometimes when your body gets rid of a virus, it can remember it too. If you have had one type of HPV, it is less likely you will be infected with that type again. But you could get a type you have not had. This may be the same HPV type your body had before. It might be possible for you to get HPV again. ![]()
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