You just received your lab results, and the words “HPV Positive” are staring back at you. Your heart drops, your mind races to the worst-case scenario (cancer), and you immediately start Googling.
But testing positive for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is incredibly common. In fact, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. A positive result is not a cancer diagnosis. It simply means you have a virus that your body is likely already fighting off.
However, ignoring a positive result is not the answer either. The most critical piece of information you need right now isn’t just that you have HPV, but exactly which strain you have.
At Epicentre, we help patients move from panic to empowerment. Here is exactly what you need to do next, and why getting an HPV Strain Test is your most important next step.
Step 1: Understand That You Are Not Alone
Let’s look at the reality of HPV. Up to 80% of sexually active adults will contract at least one strain of HPV in their lifetime. Because the virus is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, condoms reduce the risk but do not completely prevent it.
For the vast majority of people (roughly 9 out of 10), the immune system will completely clear the virus within 1 to 2 years without causing any health problems. A positive test just means the virus is currently active in your body.
Step 2: Find Out Your Exact Strain (Not All HPV is the Same)
This is the most crucial step. “HPV” is not a single virus; it is a family of over 200 different strains (genotypes).
If a standard clinic or home test simply told you “HPV Positive,” they only gave you half the story. To know your actual risk, you must identify the specific strain.
HPV strains are divided into two main categories:
- Low-Risk Strains (e.g., Strains 6 and 11): These strains do not cause cancer. They are the types responsible for genital warts. While annoying and uncomfortable, they are highly treatable and medically low-risk.
- High-Risk Strains (e.g., Strains 16 and 18): These are the strains linked to cellular changes that can lead to cervical, anal, or throat cancer if left unmonitored for years. Strains 16 and 18 alone cause about 70% of cervical cancers.
Step 3: Get the Epicentre HPV Strain Test
If you don’t know your strain, you cannot create a proper medical plan. This is where Epicentre’s PCR HPV Typing comes in.
Instead of a generic “Yes/No” result, our advanced Multiplex PCR technology looks at the exact DNA of the virus to give you a precise genotype breakdown.
Why it matters: If you find out you have a low-risk strain, you can instantly stop worrying about cervical cancer and focus on managing symptoms (if any). If you test positive for Strain 16 or 18, it tells your GP or Gynaecologist that you need immediate, specific monitoring.
How to get it: You can visit an Epicentre Walk-In Lab for a professional swab, or order our secure Home HPV PCR Kit.
Step 4: Take Your Data to a Specialist
At Epicentre, we provide clinical-grade data, but we do not issue medical treatments. Once you receive your detailed Epicentre HPV Strain Report, your next step is to consult a doctor.
For Women: If you test positive for a high-risk strain, your Gynaecologist will likely perform a Pap smear (to check for abnormal cells) or a Colposcopy (a closer look at the cervix). Because cervical cancer takes years, or even decades, to develop, knowing your strain allows your doctor to catch and remove abnormal cells long before they become dangerous.
For Men: While there is no routine, approved HPV screening test for men in the general healthcare system, Epicentre can perform swabs on visible lesions. If you know your partner has a high-risk strain, consult your GP about monitoring for throat or anal changes, and discuss getting the HPV vaccine.
Step 5: Have an Honest Conversation and Boost Your Immunity
While you wait for your body to clear the virus, focus on what you can control:
Stop Smoking: Smoking severely weakens the immune system’s ability to clear HPV and significantly increases the risk of the virus causing cellular mutations.
Talk to Your Partner: Be honest. Because HPV is so common and can remain dormant for years, a positive result is not necessarily an indicator of infidelity. It is a shared health variable.
Consider the Vaccine: Even if you already have one strain of HPV, the vaccine can protect you against the other high-risk strains you haven’t been exposed to.
Knowledge is Power. Stop Guessing.
A positive HPV result is a signal to pay attention, not a reason to panic. By getting a precise strain test, you take the guesswork out of your health and give your doctor the exact roadmap they need to keep you safe.
Get the complete picture with Epicentre today.
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