--- title: I had an abnormal result. 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[Teal Health Help Center](https://support.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Screening Results](https://support.getteal.com/screening-results?hsLang=en) # I had an abnormal result. What are the next steps I can expect? If you had an [abnormal result](https://www.getteal.com/post/understanding-your-cervical-cancer-screening-results?hsLang=en), your next steps will depend on what type of HPV was found, your history of HPV results, and any other relevant medical factors. According to current self-collection recommendations from the [American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39982254/), those with an HPV 16 and/or 18 infection should go into the clinic for a [colposcopy](https://support.getteal.com/what-is-a-colposcopy-and-what-results-can-i-expect-from-it?hsLang=en), where a doctor will look more closely at your cervix and possibly take a small tissue sample. For those who are positive for only HPV Other (i.e., HPV types *other than* 16 or 18), it is recommended that you go into the clinic for a cytology test (Pap smear) with the clinician so that any changes to your cervical cells can be evaluated. **It is critical that you schedule a follow-up appointment with a Teal provider if you received abnormal results.** The provider will inform you of your recommended next steps. While HPV is common and in most cases can be cleared by the immune system, follow-up care is important to monitor the infection and ensure it does not progress into cervical cancer. - [General Support](https://support.getteal.com/general-support?hsLang=en) - [Ordering and Shipping](https://support.getteal.com/ordering-and-shipping?hsLang=en) - [Self-Collecting with the Teal Wand](https://support.getteal.com/self-collecting-with-the-teal-wand?hsLang=en) - [Can I Use the Teal Wand If...](https://support.getteal.com/can-i-use-the-teal-wand-if?hsLang=en) - [Screening Results](https://support.getteal.com/screening-results?hsLang=en) - [Cervical Cancer Screening](https://support.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening?hsLang=en) - [Top 6 FAQs](https://support.getteal.com/what-are-the-top-questions-people-have-about-screening-and-mailing-the-sample) - At-Home Screening - [Teal Wand](https://www.getteal.com/teal-wand) - [Primary HPV Testing](https://www.getteal.com/primary-hpv-test) - [When to Screen](https://www.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines) - [At-home vs In-clinic](https://www.getteal.com/how-self-collect-compares) - [Clinical Trial](https://www.getteal.com/research/u-s-clinical-study-demonstrates-94-of-women-prefer-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening) - About Us - [About Teal Health](https://www.getteal.com/about-us) - [Meet Our Providers](https://www.getteal.com/medical-providers) - [Equal Care](https://www.getteal.com/equal-care-for-all) - [Research](https://www.getteal.com/teal-research) - [News](https://www.getteal.com/news) [![Teal-Health-Logo\_Reversed-Mint (2)](https://support.getteal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint%20(2).png?width=150&height=29&name=Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint%20(2).png "Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint (2)")](https://www.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) [mailto:help@tealhealth.co](mailto:help@tealhealth.co) © 2025 Teal Health, Inc. 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