Hello and thanks for the post

HPV is a virus that nearly all of us at one point in our lives will have (that is, over 80% of people who have had sex or skin to skin genital contact) with our immune system usually being able to deal with it so it doesn't cause any more problems. This can take sometimes a few years to clear. It is very common to have it.

It can 'go to sleep' in our bodies though, meaning that sometimes, after many years of no hpv seen in smears, it can reoccur. But the whole point of the cervical screening programme is to check things out regularly so that the HPV virus never gets a chance to cause more serious problems.

HPV is not an infection like a sexually transmitted disease needing antibiotics and you will never know how or when you may have got it. It can be more difficult for the immune system to get rid of it if you smoke ,or if your immune system is a bit low, but there is nothing else you can do to get rid of it. There is more to read about HPV here  

Do give us a ring if you would like to talk things through as it can be easier over the phone - the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Try and not worry about this and hopefully the next smear will be clear.

All the best

Wanda