What does HPV mean in women?

Generally, when women go to the hospital for a gynecological examination, they will check for HPV. So what is the gynecological HPV test? What does a positive HPV test mean? In fact, HPV is used to detect viruses, and HPV is closely related to various cervical diseases. Let's learn more about it with the editor below!

In gynecological HPV examination, we need to understand clearly what it is, what virus infects it, and what cervical diseases are caused. This can help us better identify the disease, which can help us better treat the disease.

What is gynecological HPV examination

Purpose of inspection: To detect HPV virus. It is usually carried out at the same time as the anticancer acid-fast staining test.

Operation: Use an umbrella-shaped soft-bristle brush to brush the cervix to collect samples, and then use "cell storage fluid" to separate the debris in the collected sample to produce clear cell acid-fast staining, which can detect whether it is infected with HPV virus.

Inspection sheet

Positive

1. After being infected with the HPV virus, 20-30% of patients may develop genital warts, which may also cause cervical diseases, including cervicitis, cervical erosion, and even cervical cancer. 70-80% of people do not feel sick at all, which means they are hepatitis B carriers. They have strong resistance and the virus has no chance to take advantage of them, but they still need to be closely monitored.

2. HPV virus infection causes cervical diseases, which need to be treated as soon as possible. After recovery, you should have regular follow-up visits to prevent the virus from lurking in the body.

Negative

If you have been tested negative for over 30 years old and there is no change in the anticancer acid-fast staining test, you do not need to do this test again for the next 3 to 5 years.

Suspected abnormality, two additional tests

Colposcopy

This test is usually done when the Pap test results are abnormal. A colposcopy only takes a little over ten minutes and is not painful. Use a 10-40x double-barrel high-power magnifying glass to immediately observe whether there are any signs of cervical lesions. If abnormal lesions are found, immediately accurately locate the next step of puncture biopsy.

Biopsy

Specimens are usually collected from the most abnormal locations for examination, including private parts, vagina, cervix, and uterine wall. They are most commonly used to diagnose endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. Whether anesthesia is needed depends on the location of the examination.

Generally speaking, if the result of gynecological HPV examination is positive, it means that there is indeed a virus infection. The specific virus infection needs to be clearly understood before further testing. However, if it is negative, then it means there is no problem.

What does a positive HPV test mean?

What is HPV weak positive?

HPV weak positive indicates that there is a virus in the body, but it is not possible to know which virus it is, so further testing is needed to accurately diagnose the disease. Female friends must make sure to go to a regular hospital for examination at this time so that they can accurately diagnose the condition, and then quickly eliminate the disease to ensure that the body is not easily harmed.

What tests are needed for HPV weak positive?

1. TCT inspection

Cervical erosion cannot be distinguished from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or early cervical cancer in appearance, and a cervical smear test and, if necessary, a puncture biopsy are required to confirm the diagnosis. Because the diagnosis rate of abnormal cervical cells in the traditional cervical smear Papanicolaou stain test is relatively low, TCT test is now generally used.

2. Gynecological examination

The doctor will insert a lubricated duckbill valve-shaped vaginal speculum into the female vagina, then open it, and spread the vaginal walls that are usually close together to observe whether there are any visible changes in the vagina and cervix. Generally, whether there is cervical erosion can be judged by the state of secretions and cervical surface symptoms.

3. Routine examination of leucorrhea

Routine examination of leucorrhea can detect whether the vagina is infected. If you suffer from Trichomonas vaginitis, you need to cure the vaginitis before treating cervical erosion.

Authoritative experts said

If any problems are found during gynecological HPV examination, timely treatment must be sought. If timely treatment is not provided, the best opportunity for treatment may be missed, causing the disease to worsen, which will cause greater harm to the patient. During the treatment phase, the patient must pay attention to maintaining a happy mood.

Can I have sex if I'm HPV positive?

As we all know, infection with high-risk HPV is the key cause of cervical cancer. According to statistics, about 80% of women are infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but the vast majority of them are transient infections, and most of them disappear on their own after being infected with the HPV virus for 8-10 months.

A small number of women continue to be infected with HPV and become a high-risk group for cervical cancer. If a woman is found to be HPV positive, then her male partner may also be infected with the HPV virus.

However, men can be infected with HPV virus through their own immune system, and rarely cause lesions or other serious health problems, especially men with strong immunity, but they can infect women through sexual intercourse.

How to treat HPV positive

Experts say that if it is just HPV infection, TCT and colposcopy are normal, and there is no cervical disease, then regular follow-up will be sufficient. Because most HPV viruses can be eliminated by one's own immunity, however, if the HPV virus causes cervical disease, certain treatment measures must be taken.

At present, the treatment for HPV infection can be achieved by using antiviral drugs on the one hand and enhancing one's own immunity on the other hand, such as taking medications, interferon suppositories, etc. In addition, pay attention to diet, increase physical exercise, and maintain a regular daily life.

Conclusion: If the result of gynecological HPV test is positive, we don’t need to worry too much. Maintaining a good attitude and actively treating it can help us better treat the disease. In addition, we also need to pay attention to cultivating good habits and actively exercise, which can better prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases.