If an analysis is needed to detect HPV, then there is nothing to worry about. Most procedures are completely painless, and some are quite tolerated by the patient. Consider frequently asked questions about submitting tests.
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus is a microorganism with a cellular DNA structure. Once in the human body, HPV DNA causes a mutation that causes irreversible processes. The majority of the population is already a carrier of the virus, but few people understand this because the virus does not manifest itself in any way.
As soon as the body fails, the immune system weakens and growths appear on the body. All skin formations except moles and acne are affected by HPV. If the growths are not treated immediately, a malignancy develops and a harmless wart can turn into cervical cancer in women and urethral cancer in men.
Why is the human papillomavirus dangerous?
When papillomas, genital warts or warts appear on the body, the average person can hardly separate them from each other, confusing what cannot be harmed.
It’s not that simple - a small papilloma can grow to a size that will cause a lot of discomfort - from aesthetic discomfort to the development of cancerous tumors. More than 130 strains of human papillomavirus are known and each manifests itself differently.
The most common of these are types 16 and 18, which provoke cancer of the mucous membranes, cervix, vagina, penis, and other similar diseases. Because a person is not initially aware of the presence of the virus in the body, HPV gradually develops and after 5-10 years a person sees changes in his body in the form of growth.
Papilloma analysis can be performed at any clinic. After 40 years, more than half of the lesions become malignant. A timely diagnosis gives a person the opportunity for a painless old age that will not be overshadowed by cancer.
Why test for human papillomavirus?
To protect against oncogenic diseases, you should identify potential threats to life and health in a timely manner. With a wide range of causes, HPV is transmitted from person to person through close contact — hugging, kissing, sexual intercourse, and routine hygiene.
The virus takes root under the skin and destroys the healthy structure of DNA, mutating throughout the body. When immunity fails, HPV develops warts, papillomas, and similar rashes on the skin. Only research can detect the virus at an early stage and prevent its further spread.
When is an HPV test scheduled?
When the first signs of the disease appear on the body, the doctor can see them even after a visual examination. An HPV test is given to find out where the virus came from, to determine its type and then to remove it.
Even considering that not every infected person can become a patient with cancer, no one wants to tempt fate, which means research is needed. If a woman is planning to become pregnant, she should be tested for HPV because the virus easily penetrates the baby. The father should also not be indifferent as he may be a carrier of the papillomavirus.
Transmission characteristics of HPV analysis
The detection of HPV under the age of 30 is not thought to be informative because the disease continues far beyond the human eye. After 30 years, the first tests are available to detect papillomavirus even at the earliest stages.
The less time that has elapsed since the time of infection, the more effective further treatment will be. It is necessary to determine the moment when normal cells begin to grow into cancers. Methods for diagnosing human papillomavirus depend on several factors:
- Identification of the virus and the very fact of its presence in the body
- Learn diversity
- Assess the damage done during the period when the person did not seek medical attention
- Prescribe quality and effective treatment
Remember:the virus will never leave the host completely because it is already interacting with the body’s DNA cells. HPV will remain calm until immune protection is weakened.
What analysis to pass for HPV detection?
- Colposcopic examination. HPV testing in women is performed using this method. It is designed to detect genital warts. Women are prescribed to detect genital warts in the area of the cervix.
- Cytology. A smear containing epithelial cells is taken and then the samples taken are examined under a microscope. If the cells are replaced, there is a risk of developing HPV. There is a risk of a false result.
- Histology. This is an appendix to the cytology to eliminate the error. A small piece of affected tissue is taken and the doctor assesses the severity of the situation under a microscope. Histological examination can be used to determine the nature of the formation.
- PCR diagnostics. The most reliable way with 98% accuracy. Swab, urine, blood or amniotic fluid are taken
If at least one test reveals the presence of the virus, the patient will be sent for additional analysis to ensure the accuracy of the result. If the result is false positive, the cause may be contaminated test substance or violation of generally accepted sampling techniques.
Sometimes patients prepare incorrectly for analysis or choose the wrong time for the procedure - these factors can also lead to erroneous results.
Testing rules
In addition to relying on the treating physician, the patient himself must follow the process of transferring the analysis and know the underlying processes. The doctor is a specialist, but health depends on the patient.
How is biomaterial taken?
The flicks are taken with a soft brush that looks like a brush. The Volkmann spoon, sometimes used in free clinics, is a small spoon on a long stem. The brush is gently inserted into the canal, then removed in a circular motion. The brush is placed in a sterile flask and sent for further examination.
How to prepare for the procedure for women
2 days before the procedure, you can not live sexually, use antibacterial soap, wash, use tampons. If the smear was taken from the cervix, then after 3 weeks of the procedure, do not have sex, exercise, overheat, swim in public places, and take medications that affect blood thinning.
How to prepare for the procedure for men
Sex not included, shower for 2 days without detergents. Do not urinate before the procedure.
General preparation for the procedure
It is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you have taken in the last 2 months.
How is the HPV blood test done?
Used for PCR diagnostics. From the finger, sometimes from a vein, depending on what analysis the person will perform. Mild tingling after injection is the biggest discomfort after the procedure. If the blood vessels in the elbow area are narrow, the blood collection process will become difficult, but your doctor will tell you how to dilate the vein properly.
The procedure is performed on an empty stomach, not even drinking water. It is advisable to take a bar of chocolate with you. 3 days before the blood donation, it is necessary to remove from the diet all foods that cause an allergic reaction.
How is urine tested?
It is better to take care of yourself with a sterile jar. You can buy at the pharmacy. Collect morning urine in a jar on an empty stomach. Then take it for examination, preferably immediately, the maximum period is 4 hours or the result will be incorrect. The method is not as accurate as blood collection, but if it is not possible to donate blood, you will need to use this method.
How long does it take for women and men to be tested for HPV?
If a colposcopic examination has been performed, the result is issued immediately. After cytological examination, the results will be prepared only after a week. Histology is performed for 3 days, then you can get a test result on your hands. With PCR diagnostics, you can take the results immediately or wait up to 2 days.
When and how often should an HPV test be performed?
Up to 30 years, only those with clear signs of growth in the body are examined. At this age, HPV is usually inactive and does not spread throughout the body.
From 30 to 60 years, it is necessary to take an exam every 3 years. Immunity levels fall, so signs of human papillomavirus should be detected in a timely manner.
After 60 years, exams are usually not taken. If the virus has not been detected in the last two tests, you don’t have to worry. If there have been manifestations, you will need to start treatment until the last 2 results are negative.
Delivery cost and price of HPV tests
In the case of acute illness or cancer, most tests are free. They may be prescribed by a treating oncologist.
In order to get a complete picture of the development of the virus, 2 methods are most commonly used to eliminate the possibility of false information.
Decoding of results
Only the attending physician should decipher it. Patient intervention will not do any good. To understand what the results are, you should pay attention to the following words:
- reference value - no HPV;
- positive result - an oncogenic HPV strain was detected;
- the result is negative - no signs of cancer have been found, but there is a possibility of finding other types of HPV.
If a patient has decided to take care of their health and has become aware of the presence of human papillomavirus in their body, then the above methods should be consulted. Timely diagnosis has saved millions of people and helped them find a quiet, healthy life. Only by passing the tests carefully can quality treatment be prescribed.
Sometimes the patient is sent for tests without external signs of the disease, and the procedure indicates that HPV is present in the body. In this case, the treatment will not take much time. It is for this reason that doctors recommend seeking help in a timely manner.