Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA

Why Get Tested?
HPV testing detects the genetic material (DNA or messenger RNA) of high-risk HPV (hrHPV), primarily to screen for cervical cancer or to determine whether you may be at risk of cervical cancer.

Description:
HPV stands for human papilloma virus. It is a very common virus. There are about 100 types of HPV that affect different parts of the body. About 30 types of HPV can affect the genitals including the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, and scrotum as well as the rectum and anus. About 14 types are considered "high risk" for leading to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer kills approximately 230,000 women annually, with the vast majority of deaths occurring in developing countries. Worldwide, cervical carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer-related cause of death among women in the developing world, it is the leading cause of cancer death in women. The global distribution of cervical cancer varies, with Africa, Asia, and Latin America bearing a substantial burden of this disease.

Reason for Referral:
There are no symptoms of an HPV infection, and the body clears the infection on its own in a few years. Many people never know they were infected. Individual having unusual bleeding, vaginal discharge, heavier Periods, bleeding after sex, gental warts, plantar warts, flat warts, cervical Cancer and lesions of the upper respiratory tract should be recommended to do HPV DNA test.

Sample Required:
Cervical Swab (Collect swab from cervical area using a type of wooden spatula or brush and place into sterile screw cap tubes (Falcon plastic tubes preferable) Containing Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) solution.)

Test Preparation
No test preparation is needed.

Test Done by RT–PCR (Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction)