If you need to undergo an analysis to identify HPV, then there is nothing to worry about. Most procedures are absolutely painless, and some are quite tolerable. Consider the most frequently asked questions about test delivery.
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus is a microorganism that contains the structure of DNA cells. When administered to the human body, HPV DNA causes a mutation that leads to irreversible processes. Most people are already carriers of the virus, but only a few people understand it 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 formations on the skin except birthmarks and pimples 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 papilloma virus dangerous?
When papillomas, genital warts or warts appear on the body, the average person is hardly able to distinguish them from each other by mixing them with something that cannot do harm.
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 in different ways.
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 at first a person does not know about 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 growths.
Papilloma analysis can be performed in any clinic. After 40 years, more than half of the damage becomes malignant. Early diagnosis gives a person the opportunity for a painless old age that will not be overshadowed by cancer.
Why test for human papilloma virus?
To protect yourself from oncogenic diseases, you need to identify potential threats to life and health in a timely manner. With a wide list of causes of transmission, HPV is transmitted from person to person in close contact - by hugging, kissing, during sexual intercourse, using conventional hygiene products.
The virus takes root under the skin and destroys healthy DNA structures by mutating throughout the body. If the immune system fails, HPV appears on the skin in the form of warts, papillomas and similar rashes. Only testing can detect the virus at an early stage and block 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 by visual inspection. An HPV test is performed to understand where the virus came from in the body, identify its type and then remove it.
Even considering that not every infected person can become a cancer patient, no one wants to tempt fate, which means that tests must be performed. If a woman is planning to become pregnant, she should be tested for HPV, as the virus will easily pass to the baby. The father should not be indifferent either, as he may be a carrier of the papillomavirus.
HPV test transfer features
Detection of HPV before the age of 30 is not considered informative because the disease is far beyond the human eye. After 30 years, the first tests are detected that can detect papillomavirus even in the early stages.
The less time that has elapsed since the infection, the more effective further treatment will be. It is necessary to determine when normal cells begin to grow into cancer cells. Methods for diagnosing human papillomavirus depend on several factors:
- Identification of the virus and the very fact of its presence in the body
- Learn the variety
- Assess the damage that occurred while the person was not seeking 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 the immune system is weakened.
What test to pass for HPV detection?
- Colposcopic examination. HPV tests in women are performed with this method. It is used to detect genital warts. Women are prescribed to detect genital warts located in the cervical region.
- Cytology. A smear containing epithelial cells is taken, then the samples are examined under a microscope. If the cells are changed, there is a risk of developing HPV. There is a risk of a false result.
- Histology. This is an addition to the cytology to rule out an error. A small piece of affected tissue is taken and the doctor uses a microscope to assess the difficulty of the condition. With the help of histological examination it is possible to determine the nature of the formation.
- PCR diagnostics. The truest way with 98% accuracy. Swab, urine, blood or amniotic fluid 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 found to be false positive, it may be due to contaminated test material or a violation of a generally accepted sampling method.
Sometimes patients prepare the test incorrectly or choose the wrong time for the procedure - these factors can also lead to false results.
Test rules
In addition to relying on the treating physician, the patient must follow the process of handing over the analysis and know the basic processes. The doctor is a specialist, but the health belongs to the patient.
How is biomaterial taken?
The blows are made with a soft brush that looks like a brush. In free clinics, Volkmann spoon is sometimes used - it is a small spoon on a long stalk. Such a brush is gently placed in the channel, then removed by rotational movements. Place the brush in a sterile flask and send for further examination.
How to prepare for the procedure for women
2 days before the procedure you can not live sexually, use soap with antibacterial effect, wash, use tampons. If the smear has been removed from the cervix, you will not be able to have sex, play sports, overheat, swim in public places or take medicines that affect blood thinning for 3 weeks after the procedure.
How to prepare for the procedure for men
Sex is off, in the shower for 2 days without detergents. Do not urinate before the procedure.
General preparation for the procedure
You must tell your doctor about all the medicines you have taken in the last 2 months.
How is HPV blood tested?
Used for PCR diagnostics. From the finger, sometimes from the vein, depending on the type of analysis the person will perform. A slight tingling sensation during the injection is the maximum discomfort of the procedure. If the elbow vessels are narrow, the blood collection process will be difficult, but your doctor will tell you how to properly dilate the vein.
The procedure is performed on an empty stomach, you can not even drink water. It is recommended to bring a bar of chocolate. It is necessary to exclude from the diet all foods that cause an allergic reaction 3 days before the blood donation.
How is urine tested?
It is better to take care of a sterile jar yourself. You can buy it at a pharmacy. In the morning, urine is collected in a jar on an empty stomach. Then take it for testing, preferably immediately, the maximum period is 4 hours, otherwise the result will be invalid. The method is not as accurate as taking blood, but if it is not possible to donate blood, you will need to use this method.
How Long Does It Take To Test For HPV In Women And Men?
If a colposcopic examination was performed, the result is issued immediately. With cytological examination, the results will be ready only after a week. Histology is performed for 3 days, after which you can get the test result on hand. With PCR diagnostics, you can get results immediately or wait up to 2 days.
When and how often should you be tested for HPV?
Until the age of 30, only those whose body shows clear signs of growth are tested. At this age, HPV is usually inactive and does not spread throughout the body.
From 30 to 60 years it is necessary to go for an examination every 3 years. Immunity levels fall, so human papillomavirus signs should be detected in a timely manner.
After 60 years, no tests are usually performed. If the virus has not been detected in the last two tests, then you do not have to worry. If there were manifestations, then you will need to engage in treatment until the last 2 results are negative.
HPV test delivery costs and prices
Most examinations are free of charge in the presence of acute illness or after the cancer has closed. They can be prescribed by your treating oncologist.
To get a complete picture of the evolution of the virus, 2 methods are usually used to prevent the possibility of false information.
Decryption of results
Decryption should only be performed by the treating physician. Patient intervention will not do any good. To understand the results, you need to 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 detected, but there is a possibility of finding other types of HPV.
If a patient decides to take care of their health and find out about the presence of human papillomavirus in their body, then the above methods should be used. Early diagnosis saved millions of people and helped them find peaceful, healthy lives. Only after passing the tests carefully is it possible to determine the quality of treatment.
Sometimes the patient is sent for tests without external signs of the disease, and the procedure shows that the body has HPV. In this case, treatment will not take long. It is for this reason that doctors recommend seeking help in good time.