Human papillomavirus study (HPV)

What is it?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease.

There are more than 200 types of HPV. About 40 types of this virus can infect the genital area (vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis and scrotum), as well as the mouth or throat. These HPV types are transmitted during sexual contact.

It is estimated that almost everyone who has sex gets HPV at some point in their lives. Most people with HPV have no symptoms and feel perfectly well, so they usually don’t know they have it.

In general, the immune system gets rid of an HPV infection naturally within two years without causing any health problems. But in certain cases, high-risk HPV infections can remain in the body for many years, even decades. These long-lasting infections can cause cancer. The most common cancer usually caused by HPV is cervical cancer. It can also cause other types of cancer, such as cancer of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva and back of the throat (oropharynx).

The human papillomavirus test detects the presence of HPV in women. There is no HPV test to detect the virus in men. However, men can become infected with HPV and pass the virus to their sexual partners.

What does the report include?

The result report indicates whether any of the 14 high-risk HPV genotypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68 have been detected to determine if you have HPV.

A negative result implies that HPV is not present or that the copy number is below the sensitivity limit (HPV16: 89 cells/ml | HPV18: 46 cells/ml).

Who is it indicated for?

This test is indicated for all women who are sexually active.

Especially in Spain it is advisable to carry out the HPV test in women between 30 and 65 years of age, with the aim of early detection of premalignant lesions and cancer in its early stages.

Results

The test results will indicate whether you have high-risk HPV, which can cause several types of cancer.

Knowing if you have a type of HPV that increases your risk for cervical cancer means you and your doctor can better decide on the next steps in your care. These steps could include follow-up monitoring, further testing, or treatment of abnormal cells.

Process

Your gynecologist will take a vaginal swab sample. You should take the sample to any Cerba center.

Receipt and analysis of the sample in our laboratory.

Report delivery within 3 working days.

For further clarification, your doctor will explain the results.

How does it work?

Choose to take care of yourself.

Pay securely.

Go to a Cerba center.