Abnormal cells can be caused by:
1) minor inflammation or some infection, no problem it will resolve.
2) abnormal cell growth, not equals to cancer, but you might need to recheck pap smear in 6 months
3)localised, early cancer, then you might need to go for loop excision. (small procedure)
4)Localised caner, then you might need to go for surgery
HPV infection is common. There is alot of different kinds of HPV. Some of them will cause caner, some of them won't. So, your doctor is checking whetever you have HPV and which type it is. Then you might either need to repeat pap smear again later or you need a colposcopy (vagina endoscope)
You can find the standard protocol here:
http://hkcog.obg.cuhk.edu.hk/docs/college_guidelines/Management%20of%20Abnormal%20Cervical%20Smear%20Revised_2002.pdf