Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to health problems like genital warts and certain cancers. Many people wonder how long HPV can be present before it shows up on a test. Here is an overview of HPV testing and how long it can take to test positive after exposure.
What is HPV?
HPV is a group of over 150 related viruses. There are many different strains or types of HPV. Some types cause harmless skin warts on hands and feet. Other types infect the genital area and can cause genital warts or cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, and throat.
Genital HPV types are very common – most sexually active people are infected at some point. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 79 million Americans are infected with HPV and 14 million more become infected each year.
HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact and sex. It can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms.
HPV Testing
There are two main kinds of tests used to detect HPV:
- HPV DNA test – detects HPV genetic material. Can determine which high-risk HPV types are present.
- HPV antibody test – detects antibodies produced by the immune system to fight HPV.
The HPV DNA test is the most common and accurate way to find an HPV infection. It can detect high-risk HPV types before any symptoms or cellular changes occur.
The HPV DNA test uses cells collected from the cervix or vagina. The sample is sent to a lab where DNA is extracted and tested for high-risk HPV types like HPV 16 and HPV 18.
In most cases, the HPV antibody test is not useful for routine testing or screening. Antibodies can take many months or years to develop after an HPV infection. The antibody test cannot determine a new, active infection.
How Soon Can HPV Be Detected?
For reliable results, HPV needs to be present in sufficient amounts in the sampled cells. Most experts agree that HPV DNA testing is able to detect infection within 1 to 3 months after exposure. However, the timeframe can vary from person to person.
Here are some factors that can affect when HPV will test positive:
- Type of HPV – The many strains of HPV have varying levels of infectivity and effects on the body.
- Health and immunity – A weakened immune system can allow HPV to spread faster in the body.
- Site of infection – Some areas like the cervix may have higher HPV levels than others.
- Severity of infection – More extensive or aggressive infections tend to be detected sooner.
- Sampling technique – The quality of the sampled cells impacts how quickly HPV is found.
HPV Incubation and Infectious Periods
The incubation period is the time between exposure to a virus and appearance of symptoms. For HPV, this is around 3 weeks to 3 months after becoming infected. However, most people never develop any symptoms.
After exposure, HPV can be transmitted to a partner for a few years in the absence of symptoms. The infectious period ends when the virus is cleared from the body by the immune system, which can take 1 to 2 years on average.
It’s difficult to know exactly when an HPV infection entered the body. Testing positive simply means the virus is detectable – not necessarily that the infection was newly acquired.
Can a Pap Smear Detect a New HPV Infection?
A Pap smear looks for changes in cervical cells but does not test specifically for HPV. Cells infected by HPV may appear abnormal and lead to a positive Pap result. However, a new HPV infection will usually not be detectable by a Pap smear until 6 months to 1 year after exposure. A normal Pap result does not necessarily mean you are HPV-negative.
How Soon After Exposure Can You Get Genital Warts?
Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV types like HPV 6 and HPV 11. After exposure to an HPV type that causes warts, it can take 1 to 8 months for warts to appear. In some cases, warts may not show up until years later.
Visible warts often prompt testing that finds HPV. Genital warts can be a sign that HPV is active in the body and can be transmitted to partners.
Follow-Up Testing
If you test positive for HPV, your healthcare provider will likely recommend additional Pap tests or HPV testing at regular intervals. This follow-up monitoring can detect any cell changes caused by HPV that may need treatment. With consistent testing, most cases of HPV resolve without causing health problems.
Can HPV Go Away on Its Own?
There is no cure for HPV, but most infections go away on their own. According to the CDC, about 90% of HPV infections are cleared by the immune system within 2 years. When HPV persists for many years, it can lead to cellular changes and cancer.
Having a strong immune system can help clear HPV. Things that support immune function include:
- Good nutrition
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Stress management
- Not smoking
Even after testing negative, you can become reinfected with HPV from a partner. Using condoms may help reduce transmission risk but cannot fully protect against HPV.
The Bottom Line
It typically takes 1 to 3 months after exposure for HPV to reach detectable levels by DNA testing. But HPV may go undetected for longer than that, or not be found at all. Follow up with your doctor and get regularly screened. While frustrating, try not to fixate too much on exactly when and from whom you contracted HPV.
| HPV Test | What it Detects |
|---|---|
| HPV DNA test | Presence of HPV genetic material |
| HPV antibody test | Antibodies produced against HPV |
| Timing after Exposure | HPV Detectability |
|---|---|
| 1-3 months | Usually detectable |
| 6-12 months | Very likely detectable |
| 12+ months | Almost certain detectable |
Key Points
- HPV DNA testing can detect infection 1-3 months after exposure.
- It may take longer than 3 months to test positive in some cases.
- HPV antibodies take even longer to develop and are not reliable for testing new infections.
- Follow up regularly with your doctor for repeat testing if you are HPV-positive.