Sexual HealthWhat is an HPV Test?

What is an HPV Test?

The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test is a medical test used to detect the presence of HPV infection or specific types of HPV. HPV tests are usually done for the following two purposes:

Cervical Cancer Screening: Cervical cancer is associated with high-risk HPV types. The HPV test is used to assess the risk of cervical cancer and for early diagnosis. This screening can be done in conjunction with regular Pap smear screenings in individuals at risk for cervical cancer.

Diagnosis of Genital Warts or HPV Symptoms: When a person has genital warts or HPV symptoms, a doctor may perform an HPV test to evaluate these symptoms and confirm HPV infection.

The HPV test can be performed in the following ways:

  • Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC): In this test, cervical cells are dissolved in a special solution and HPV DNA is examined in the laboratory. This method is used for cervical cancer screening.
  • HPV DNA Test: In this test, HPV DNA is searched for in cervical cells. The presence of HPV DNA and which HPV types are present are determined. High-risk HPV types can be detected.
  • Pap Smear Test: Pap smear involves the examination of cervical cells and is used for cervical cancer screening. Some Pap smear tests can be combined with HPV testing to obtain more accurate results.

HPV testing is usually done by gynecologists or other healthcare professionals. Test results are reported as positive (HPV present) or negative (no HPV). Positive results may indicate the presence of high-risk HPV types or low-risk types. Positive results often require further evaluation or monitoring.

HPV test results and follow-up plans may vary depending on the person’s age, gender, infection type, and health history. HPV tests are important for assessing the risk of cervical cancer and for early diagnosis, so they should be done regularly in accordance with medical check-ups and doctor’s recommendations.

What Should I Do If My HPV Test is Positive?

What you should do if your HPV test is positive may vary depending on the type of test result, your age, gender, and other personal factors. A positive HPV test result indicates the presence of infection, but it does not require treatment. Here are the steps you should take when your HPV test is positive:

Contact Your Doctor: When your HPV test is positive, it is important to first contact a healthcare professional (gynecologist, family doctor, etc.). Your doctor will evaluate the test result and provide you with information about the type of infection, its prevalence, and potential risks.

Get Follow-Up Screenings: Your doctor may recommend regular screenings or a monitoring plan based on the HPV test result and your age. Typically, a positive HPV test result may require more frequent doctor visits and tests for cervical cancer screenings.

Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear): Your doctor may perform a cervical cancer screening to assess your risk of cervical cancer. This test involves the examination of cervical cells and can help detect abnormalities. Regular Pap smear screenings enable early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Consider HPV Vaccination: If you have not received the HPV vaccine before and if you are eligible, your doctor may recommend you to get the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccines provide protection against specific HPV types and can reduce the risk of infection.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help strengthen your immune system. Regular exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep, and not smoking can reduce the risk of infection.

Adhere to Sexual Health Principles: Take care to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by adhering to sexual health principles. This includes using condoms during sexual intercourse, asking sexual partners about their sexual history, and regularly getting sexual health check-ups.

Keep in mind that HPV is a very common virus and many people can become infected at some point in their lives. A positive HPV test result can be concerning, but most infections resolve on their own and do not cause serious health problems. The important thing is to follow regular doctor check-ups and recommendations. Taking into account your doctor’s recommendations will help you protect your health.

What Should I Do to Be HPV Negative?

If the result of the HPV test is negative, meaning that HPV is not detected, this is a positive outcome. Here are some important steps you may consider to prevent or reduce the risk of HPV:

Get HPV Vaccination: If you are eligible, getting the HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of infection. HPV vaccines provide protection against specific HPV types and are generally recommended for young people and young adults.

Adhere to Sexual Health Principles: Adhering to sexual health principles is an important part of protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This includes using condoms during sexual intercourse, asking sexual partners about their sexual history, and regularly getting sexual health check-ups.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help strengthen your immune system. This includes regular exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep, and not smoking.

Regular Cervical Cancer Screenings: Regular cervical cancer screenings (Pap smear) are important, especially for women. These screenings are used to assess the risk of cervical cancer and for early diagnosis. Negative HPV results do not reduce the risk of cervical cancer, so regular screenings should be done.

Strengthen the Immune System: A healthy immune system is important in fighting infections. Taking care of your health by eating well, avoiding stress, and taking care of your body is important. A compound called active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) and green tea extract, which have been proven to support the success of HPV treatment and promote HPV clearance, are natural products with proven effectiveness in enhancing immune system function. AHCC, an important functional food and treatment supporter in Eastern medicine, is also available in our country.

Getting a negative HPV result is a positive outcome, but the risk of infection cannot be completely eliminated. Following regular medical check-ups and the advice of healthcare professionals will help protect your health. Remember that HPV infections are common in many people, and many infections resolve on their own.

Does the HPV Test Affect HPV?

The HPV test is not a treatment or preventive method for HPV infection. The HPV test is simply a diagnostic tool used to detect the presence of HPV or specific HPV types in the body. The test result indicates the presence or absence of HPV infection and does not affect treatment or prevention.

HPV infections are usually controlled by the body’s immune system and most resolve on their own. However, high-risk HPV types can be associated with cervical cancer and other cancers. Therefore, the HPV test is particularly important for cervical cancer screening.

The HPV test is important for detecting the infection and assessing risks, but it is not a direct treatment or prevention method. It is critical to follow the medical advice and screenings recommended by healthcare professionals to protect against HPV infections and for early diagnosis.

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