Morning all, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection with multiple strains. It is so common that almost EVERYONE who is sexually active AT ALL will get it at some point in their life. It is also one of the only STI's that has no symptoms and is also one of the only STI's that goes away on its own, your immune system essentially just kicks it out so it is not harmful for the most part. It is only harmful if you get certain strains of it and your immune system DOES NOT kick it out. If your immune system does not remove it, (which is almost always the case) women can and will get cervical cell changes. These changes are called CIN and there are 3 stages, CIN1, CIN2 and CIN3. These changes can go away on their own but if they do not, treatment is required to stop the cells multiplying and causing cervical cancer.  I am raising awareness of HPV and smear tests because I have been one of the unlucky ones who have suffered the abnormal cell changes, I myself, have CIN2 and will requir