HPV DNA Test

Health care providers may choose to conduct a (HPV DNA Test) after performing a woman’s (Pap test) that has shown the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 infected cells. Types 16 and 18 are usually present when cervical, vagina and vulva cancers are found these cancers are caused 75 % of the time by HPV infections. Cancers caused by HPV in men are usually found on the penis, scrotum and anus it is rare, but the warts may appear on the thighs as well.

The most common HPV infection is noncancerous warts caused by types 6 and 11 these warts often on the hands of children and disappear on their own.

There are more than 100 types of HPV over half are considered sexually transmitted diseases (STD).  There are over 20 million reported cases of sexually transmitted HPV in the United States alone, the Center for Disease Control estimates’ the number to be twice that amount due to the unreported cases.

Usually people well show some signs or symptoms of HPV infection within 3 weeks to 6 months of becoming infected. A person may be HPV infected for up to 5 years before showing any signs or symptoms therefore they are infecting each new sexual partner.  Each time you are sexually active with a new partner you are exposing yourself to that partner as well as everyone that they have been sexually active with over the past 5 years.

When a person has multiple sexual partners their health care provider will inform them that it is wise for them to be tested once a year for HPV and STDs. While testing men for STDs warts may be found that might not be visible to an infected person, after finding the infected cells an HPV DNA test may be called for. Women with multiple partners need to have a Pap test once a year, if infected cells 16 and 18 are found a HPV DNA test to rule out cancer might be performed as well.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that condoms be used at all times during sexual activity, a condom is not a guarantee that you will not become infected with HPV.  When parts of the HPV infected genital and anal areas are exposed you are susceptible to HPV infection.