HPV testing

Condylomas, papillomas or warts are not only cosmetic defects that occur on the human body, but also dangerous neoplasms caused by a latent virus. These formations appear on the skin if the human papillomavirus (HPV for short) is present in the body. The infection is very easily transmitted and no one is immune from infection, therefore, to identify the causative agent of this infection, it is necessary to be examined for HPV.

Features of human papillomavirus

Almost 80% of the world’s population is infected with the human papillomavirus. You can become infected at home, during childbirth (the child becomes infected) and during sexual contact. HPV can also be transmitted when an infected person does not experience any signs or symptoms. After entering the body, HPV is introduced into the DNA of cells. Most people with HPV do not know they are infected and never develop any symptoms or health problems as a result of the infection. Sometimes HPV is only discovered when more serious problems arise as a result of HPV infection, such as cancer.

The most dangerous is HPV type 16 (leads to cervical cancer and problems with the genital organs in 50% of cases) and type 18 (affects intimate organs in 10% of cases and provokes the emergence and growth of malignant tumors).

Consequently, the infection can proceed in the human body completely asymptomatically, and with the proper state of the immune system, the virus will “hibernate” for a long period of time. With ongoing infectious and inflammatory processes, stressful situations, constant intake of alcoholic beverages, smoking, and the use of narcotic drugs, HPV can be activated and have a negative effect.

Indications for HPV screening

The appearance of warts, condylomas, papillomas and growths on the skin are the primary indications that may indicate HPV in the body and require an early examination. After examining and finding neoplasms of unknown etiology on the body, the dermatologist directs the patient for diagnosis and blood donation for human papillomavirus. It is very important to determine the type of pathogen, since some of them are considered absolutely harmless, while others are deadly.

An important indication for testing is pregnancy planning. You also need to undergo an examination to identify female and male infertility, pathological processes in the body, miscarriages. Both partners should be examined, since the infection is transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Types of HPV

There are about 100 types of the virus, about 35-40 of them affect the anus and genitals. The human papillomavirus is conditionally divided into 3 groups: a high risk of developing oncological diseases, in which type 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58-59, 68 types are found; types 6, 11, 42-44 have a low degree of risk; HPV types 1-3 and 5 are considered non-oncogenic.

When vaccinated against types 6, 11, 16 and 18, the patient can prevent the development of genital warts with sharp ends, cervical tumors, and laryngeal papillomatosis. As a preventive measure, women undergo screening to reduce the risk of cervical disease.

Genetically, the infection is not transmitted, it can only be infected if the rules of hygiene are not followed, the use of contraceptives is neglected, and the immune system is reduced. Addictions, such as smoking, frequent use of alcohol and psychotropic drugs, negatively affect the body and make it more vulnerable to various viruses and infections.

HPV screening methods

In modern medicine, there are several effective screenings for human papillomavirus. With their help, you can determine the presence of infection and find out the type of HPV. The attending dermatologist, gynecologist or urologist sends the patient for examination for papillomavirus.

The most common tests for HPV are:

• colposcopy;
• histological diagnosis;
• cytological examination;
• amplification and non-amplification test;
• detection of HPV antibodies.

Colposcopy is prescribed for women in order to detect papillomas localized in the cervix. Diagnosis is considered to be a simple and routine microscopy of a specimen of the vaginal mucosa and cervix at multiple magnifications. The duration of the procedure varies from 10 to 30 minutes. The doctor hands out the results in 10-15 minutes after the examination.

Histological diagnosis is almost always prescribed in conjunction with cytological tests. With this method, a small biopsy is examined – a small piece of tissue. The biomaterial after special treatment is examined under a microscope to identify affected cells. This technique allows you to determine a malignant or benign formation. The duration of the manipulation takes no more than 15 minutes. The patient can receive the results in 2-3 days after the examination. Most often, after histology, the patient is sent for a non-amplification test or PCR study.

To conduct a cytological examination, a doctor takes a smear with skin cells. The resulting material is examined under a microscope to detect mutated cells and tissues that indicate HPV. The technique is simple and not expensive, but at the same time quite often shows a false negative result. The form with the result is given to the patient in 4-6 days.

The amplification test in modern traditional medicine is considered accurate because it shows the type of infection and its oncogenicity. The fence is made from the urinary canal or the mucous membrane of the vagina. This analysis is often prescribed by a gynecologist in conjunction with cytological diagnostics.

PCR analysis is used to determine the oncogenicity of a growth or papilloma. The biomaterial is urine, blood plasma, a smear from the mucous surface or amniotic fluid. The accuracy of the survey is close to one hundred percent. It is possible to detect the human papillomavirus even at a small concentration of the pathogen in the sample. With the correct sampling of biomaterial and accurate interpretation of the results, it is possible to know exactly whether there is HPV or not just 1-2 days after the manipulation.

Some patients are surprised when the test result is “positive”, but there are no warts on the body. This indicates that there is an infection in the body, but the immune system is holding it back in every possible way. Doctors recommend that with a “positive” result, undergo a course of treatment, and if there are papillomas, remove them with a laser or other methods.

Preparing and conducting a survey

Examinations for human papillomavirus are quite simple, do not cause pain and are not traumatic. During the procedure, a sample is taken from the urinary canal or vagina, so the patient needs to prepare for it in advance. A few days before the study, you should temporarily stop taking antiviral and antibacterial drugs, and also do not use intimate hygiene products.

Hygienic procedures should not be performed 6-8 hours before the material is taken, and a few hours before the manipulation, urination should be refrained. For women, the study is carried out on the 5th-6th day of the menstrual cycle in order to avoid the presence of additional inclusions and impurities in the sample.

Medications such as birth control pills, ointments, gels and other medicines should be stopped 2-3 days before the examination. It is advisable to take a blood test on an empty stomach, therefore, you can not drink and eat 8-10 hours before the manipulation. 2-3 days before the study, men and women should refrain from sexual contact.

The biomaterial is taken with a soft brush, something like a ruff. The specialist introduces it into the urethra and slowly removes it with rotating movements. A small amount of epithelium remains on the brush. The resulting biomaterial is placed in a sterile container and sent to the laboratory. The attending physician deals with the interpretation of the results. You should not independently find out whether there is an infection in the body or not.

One of the most dangerous manifestations of HPV for men is the growth of formations in the urethra, which can cause serious diseases: impotence, infertility, oncology. Early diagnosis of papillomavirus also reduces the risk of malignant tumors.

Sources of