What is HPV test

HPV testing can determine whether there is a chance of cervical cancer by checking for the HPV virus. Human papillomavirus infection can be directly transmitted through sexual intercourse or indirect contact. After the virus invades the body, it will infect the mucous membrane or skin. HPV mainly includes types 6, 42, 43, 44, and 11, which may cause genital warts. High-risk HPV includes types 16, 31, 18, 39, 51, 33, 56, 68, and 59, which are associated with cervical cancer or cervical epithelial cell hyperplasia. Once infected, targeted treatment should be given based on test results. Antiviral drugs or physical therapy can be used. A good lifestyle should be maintained on a daily basis, and high-risk or unclean sexual activities should be avoided.

HPV related examination items include cervical TCT, colposcopy and cervical conization. HPV is mainly an infection of human papillomavirus. According to the different subtypes of HPV infection, the examination items are also different. If the HPV infection is 16 or 18, then it is immediately transferred to colposcopy because there is a high tendency of pathology. If the HPV infection is a low-risk infection, further cervical TCT examination is required. If cervical TCT shows low-grade lesions of cervical epidermal lesions, relevant treatment can be carried out and then follow-up visits can be made. If high-grade lesions are found, further colposcopy and cone biopsy of the abnormal area are required.

HPV testing is called human papillomavirus testing and is currently commonly used in clinical medicine for cervical cancer screening. The method of HPV testing is cervical cytology HPV testing, which is when the doctor uses a soft brush to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and sends the cells to the laboratory. The laboratory physician conducts relevant pathophysiological tests on the cells to determine whether the cervical cells have been infected with the HPV virus. It has been confirmed that persistent high-risk HPV infection may lead to cervical malignancy.

In addition to cervical HPV testing, cervical TCT testing is also required. Currently, cervical HPV testing and cervical TCT testing can screen out more than 90% of cervical malignancies, and these two tests can also be used to guide the next step of related treatment, such as whether a cervical puncture biopsy under colposcopy is needed.