(HealthDay News) -- Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer. Because there are rarely any symptoms, it's important to have regular pap smears to determine if you have HPV.

If your pap smear shows that you do have HPV, the American Academy of Family Physicians says it does not mean that you have or will have cervical cancer, just that you are at higher risk.

If your test is positive, your gynecologist may schedule frequent pap smears to look for certain cell changes on the cervix, which could indicate the virus has progressed to cervical cancer.

In most cases, however, the virus goes away on its own and does not require treatment.