Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test

HPV means human papilloma virus. There are many different types of HPV. Some of these are spread through close skin-to-skin contact during sex with a person who has the virus. These HPV are the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Some strains of HPV cause genital warts. Other types, called “high-risk HPV,” can cause cancer, especially cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus where a baby develops during pregnancy. Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV. This means that if you have a cervix and are infected with certain types of HPV, you have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer.

HPV tests use a sample of cells from your cervix to look for signs of infection with high-risk HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. Knowing if you have HPV helps your health care provider understand your risk of developing cervical cancer. If you have an HPV infection, you can discuss the need for further tests and how often you should be checked for cervical cancer.

In general, your immune system naturally eliminates an HPV infection within two years without causing health problems. But in some cases, high-risk HPV infections can remain in the body for many years or even decades. These long-lasting infections can lead to cancer.

Other names: genital human papillomavirus, high-risk HPV, HPV DNA, HPV RNA

The test is used to check a sample of cervical cells for signs of a high-risk HPV infection that can lead to cervical cancer. The test is often done at the same time as a Pap smear, which is a test that checks cervical cells for abnormal changes caused by HPV. When an HPV test and a cervical smear are taken at the same time, it is called an HPV/Pap test.

An HPV test can also be used to make treatment decisions after an oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis. This cancer develops in the back of the throat, including the tonsils and the base of the tongue. It is mainly caused by HPV. Oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV has its own treatment and generally has a better chance of recovery than other throat cancers.

You may need an HPV test to screen for cervical cancer if you:

• Have had an abnormal Pap smear result An HPV test can show if HPV caused the abnormal changes in your cervical cells.
• Are between the ages of 30 and 65 An HPV test alone or an HPV/Pap test is recommended every five years as long as you have had normal results.

If you are between the ages of 21 and 29, you should have a Pap smear every three years. But you Do not need HPV test if your pap smear results are normal. Although HPV infections are common in this age group, they usually go away on their own within a year or two without causing problems. Some medical experts recommend starting HPV screening at age 25 and getting tested every 5 years if your last test was normal.

If you have a high risk of developing cervical cancer, you may need to get tested more often. Your risk may be higher if you:

• Have you had an abnormal HPV test, cervical smear, or cervical biopsy recently
• Have HIV. You may also need screenings after age 65.
• Have a weakened immune system
• Have you had cervical cancer
• Were exposed to a medication called DES (Diethylstilbestrol) before you were born. Between 1940 and 1971, DES was sometimes prescribed to prevent miscarriages. It was then linked to an increased risk of certain cancers in girls exposed before birth.

Ask your provider what cervical cancer screening test is right for you and how often you should be tested.

If you have been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, you may also need an HPV test of your throat, tonsils, or tongue to determine what treatment you should get.

You should not take the test during your period. During two days prior to your test, you should not:

• Use tampons
• Use contraceptive foam, gel, or cream
• Use other creams or medications in the vagina
• Do a vaginal wash (rinse the vagina with water or other liquid)
• Have vaginal sex

For a home test, be sure to read all instructions before collecting your sample.

You may experience slight discomfort when collecting cervical cells. Afterwards, you may experience very slight bleeding. But there are no known risks associated with an HPV test.

Negative/normal HPV test results mean that no high-risk HPV was found in your sample. Your provider will let you know when you need to be tested again.

Positive/abnormal HPV test results mean that signs of high-risk HPV have been found. Some HPV tests also show whether HPV16 or HPV18 has been found. These types of HPV are the most common cause of cervical cancer.

A positive test result Don't signifies steps that you have cancer or that you are going to have cancer. This means that you have an HPV infection that increases your risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.

There is no cure for getting rid of an HPV infection. So, the next steps will depend on your risk of developing cervical cancer. To estimate your risk, your provider will consider past test results, age, and other health conditions you have or have had.

Your provider may suggest other tests to check your cervical cells for abnormal changes. You may also need more frequent HPV tests or combined HPV/PAP tests.

Learn more about lab tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from HPV infections that can cause cancer and genital warts. The vaccine could prevent many cancers caused by HPV, including cancer of the cervix, vagina, throat, anus, and penis.

The vaccine is most effective when given before a person has been exposed to the virus. That is why it is recommended for children before they become sexually active.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children aged 11 to 12 receive two doses of the HPV vaccine 6 to 12 months apart. But the vaccine can be given as early as age 9. Ask your child's health care provider when to vaccinate your child against HPV.

Adolescents and young adults who receive their first HPV vaccine injection between the ages of 15 and 26 should have 3 doses. If you are over 26 and have not been vaccinated, routine HPV vaccination is generally not recommended. Talk to your provider about the possible benefits of vaccination if you are at risk of a new HPV infection.

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