HPV test (human papilloma virus)

Human Papilloma Virus or HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) is a group of viruses that can cause genital warts, abnormal cells and certain types of cancer. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or sexual intercourse. The HPV test can detect the presence of this virus and diagnose it in time.

HPV is very common; About 80 percent of sexually active people will develop HPV by the age of 45, although most cases clear up on their own; Most people who get HPV are in their late teens and early 20s; However, any person at any age who is sexually active may be infected with HPV.

Several types of HPV virus can be responsible for serious complications such as cancer. The HPV test is done to determine if you have certain types of HPV. This virus increases the risk of cervical cancer.

What is the HPV virus?

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) with about 43 million infections per year. There are more than 100 types of HPV and most do not cause any symptoms or health problems; But some of them cause complications more than others. Therefore, doctors classify HPV into two low-risk and high-risk categories.

Low-risk types of HPV do not cause cervical cancer and are treatable. They may also be called "wart-causing HPV"; Because this is one of the main symptoms. Also, most of these symptoms will resolve on their own without treatment. Symptoms of low-risk HPV may include:

• Warts in the genital area or anus
• provocation
• Itching
• Pain
• Bleeding

High-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal cells in the cervix that, if left untreated, can turn into cervical cancer. There are 13 types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, and some of them can cause cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat. When HPV remains in the body, the risk of cervical cancer increases.

High-risk HPV may not cause initial symptoms; But if the virus causes cervical cancer, symptoms such as the following may be observed in the person's body:

• Pain in the pelvic area
• Pain during sex
• vaginal secretions
Abnormal bleeding
• Weight loss
Urinary problems, such as blood in the urine

Who should do the HPV test?

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends cervical cancer screening every 1 to 3 years, based on physician diagnosis, with cervical cytology alone (Pap smear) in women aged 21 to 25 years. For women between the ages of 25 and 65, the USPSTF recommends screening as follows:

• Every 1 to 3 years with cervical cytology, alone
• every 3 to 5 years with a high-risk human papilloma virus test, alone
• Or every 3 to 5 years with human papilloma virus test, along with cytology (joint test)

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women aged 25 to 65 years undergo cervical screening and primary HPV testing every 3 to 5 years. If primary HPV testing is not available, the American Cancer Society recommends screening with concurrent testing every 3 to 5 years, or cytology alone every 1 to 3 years. There are debates among specialist doctors about the age of cervical cancer screening.

Discuss these recommendations with your specialist doctor and decide which one is best for you. While the pap smear test does not detect HPV; But it can detect abnormal cervical cells that could be a sign of HPV. If you have received abnormal Pap smear results, your doctor will decide whether you need an HPV test.

If you are between the ages of 21 and 25 and have been screened for cervical cancer, if your Pap smear test is abnormal, your doctor may recommend cytology, an examination of body cells under a microscope. If you are between the ages of 25 and 65, your doctor may recommend one of the following screening options:

• A cytology test
HPV test
• simultaneous test (cytology and HPV test together)

If the screening results come back normal, you can repeat the test in 3 years. HPV is very common and the vast majority of the virus is cleared by the body; But in the case of some people, the virus can remain in the body and cause cellular changes.

How to do the HPV test

To perform an HPV test, a specialist doctor must collect a sample of cells from your cervix. To do this, a pelvic exam is essential. The HPV test steps are:

(1) You take off your clothes from the waist down or wear a hospital gown.

(2) You lie on the examination table and place your heels on the footstool.

(3) The doctor places a speculum in the vagina. The speculum helps to separate the walls of the vagina to find the cervix.

(4) The doctor uses a brush or a flat spatula to collect cell samples from the surface of the cervix or vaginal canal.

(5) These cell samples are then sent to a laboratory where they are tested for the presence of HPV.

Interpretation of HPV virus test results

After receiving your HPVtest results, depending on the test results, you may need to consider the following:

You have a negative HPV test

You don't need to do anything else. Your doctor will tell you when you should have your next screening in the next 3 to 5 years.

Your HPV test result is positive; But cervical cells are normal

Your doctor may want to do an additional test to determine if you have a high-risk strain of the virus. If this is your first positive and normal high-risk HPV result, they may want to do a follow-up screening in a year to see if the result has changed and if your cervical cells are affected. In short, you may enter a period of watchful waiting; Of course, these cases can be different based on the doctor's discretion for different patients.

Your HPV test result is positive and cervical cells are abnormal

The doctor may want to do a biopsy from the cervix. In this procedure, the doctor takes a sample of cells from the cervix to examine them more closely under a microscope. Also, the doctor may first suggest colposcopy and then a biopsy. In this method, he uses a magnifying lens to observe the condition of the cervix more closely.

Depending on the results of these procedures, the doctor may recommend removing areas of the cervix that have abnormal cells. We can do this under general anesthesia with a scalpel or with LEEP (loop electrosurgery). The LEEP procedure requires only a local anesthetic and uses a thin wire loop to remove abnormal cells with an electric current. Doctors can also use freezing or laser to destroy abnormal cells.

Tips to prevent HPV

HPV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from HPV disease. Preadolescent vaccination is recommended for both girls and boys, starting at age 11 or 12. Starting vaccination at this age helps protect pre-teens against HPV. A course of HPV vaccine consists of two doses that are administered at least 6 months apart.

People aged 15 to 45 can also be vaccinated using the three-dose schedule. Additionally, you can reduce your risk of HPV by using HPV prevention methods, such as using condoms during sex. Regular pap smear tests can detect any cell changes and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Summary

HPV is a common type of sexually transmitted infection. In fact, most sexually active people may contract some type of virus at some point in their lives. Some types of HPV are associated with serious diseases, such as cervical, anal, and oral cancer. For this reason, HPV testing is encouraged in women during their adulthood.

If you have symptoms that may be related to HPV, such as pain, bleeding, or itching; It is important to make an appointment. A doctor can check the presence of any serious disease and provide appropriate treatment if necessary. If you are sexually active, get tested regularly for HPV and other STDs. Many people with HPV do not have any obvious symptoms.

Testing HPV may be uncomfortable for you; But it should not be painful. Think that doing this test can save your life. So, to protect your health, it is better to visit Dr. Azita Naseri's office and check the conditions for this test. You can also benefit from other services in different fields under his supervision. Services such as labiaplasty in the field of vaginal beauty, infertility treatment with iui method and colposcopy...

FAQ

1- Are home tests HPV accurate?

Most manufacturers of home HPV tests claim that their results are 99% accurate; But HPV tests are usually conducted in a laboratory and are not subject to the same regulations as tests used in clinics and hospitals. Also, these tests do not detect all types of HPV.

2- How can we protect ourselves from getting HPV?

The best way to prevent it is to use condoms and other preventive methods during sex and to perform regular pap smear and HPV screening. Getting the HPV vaccine can also help reduce the chance of contracting HPV.

3- Is there a vaccine for HPV?

Yes. There are different types of HPV vaccines: types 4 and 9 that protect a person against 4 and 9 viruses that can lead to warts or cancer.

4- Are the HPV test and Pap smear test the same?

No; They are not the same. Pap smear test does not detect HPV virus; Rather, he takes a cell sample from the cervix to check for abnormalities. While testingHPV, seeks to check high-risk HPV (molecular presence of HPV).

5- When do we need an HPV test?

The American Cancer Society recommends primary HPV testing for women between the ages of 25 and 65. They can also perform a combined test, which includes the Pap smear and HPV test, and is considered the most complete and accurate screening test.

6- What should we do if our HPV test is positive?
By strengthening the immune system and a series of measures, the HPV virus can be removed from the body, which Dr. Naseri can help you in this matter. Many of his patients can easily clear the viruses with the advice of the doctor and their tests are negative.