There are some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause warts, which can be spotted visually. In other cases, patients might not show any symptoms for years.
To find out if you have HPV, your doc might order a test. Catching the infection early can stop it from getting worse or from raising your risk of getting cancer.
Here are a few tests that can spot HPV…
Índice
Visual Exam
If you have a wart caused by HPV, your doc can figure out if you have the virus with a visual exam and a look at your medical history.
Depending on where the problem is, how big it is, and how bad it’s affecting you, your doc might ask you to take extra tests to confirm the diagnosis.
You could also be asked to take tests as part of a regular check-up to see if you have an HPV infection.
Pap Smear
The Pap smear is used to find high-risk genital HPV in women. By taking a sample from the cervix, they can see if there are abnormal cells that could cause cervical cancer.
High-risk types of HPV cause changes in the cells of the cervix and this can show up on a Pap smear.
If the result is positive, that doesn’t mean you have cancer. In most cases, you’ll be monitored to make sure your body can get rid of the infection on its own, or else you’ll be given treatment, like this one to get rid of HPV.
Tests to Detect HPV in Men
Even though men and women can both get HPV, only women get the Pap smear.
For men, there’s no FDA-approved test to detect genital HPV. You can treat the symptoms caused by the virus, but if you don’t have warts, it’ll be hard to know if you have the virus.
One of the exams performed by the urologist is the peniscopy, which is a big-picture look at the whole penis area. The goal is to find any HPV lesions.
In most cases, when genital HPV is found in men, you have to wait for it to run its course and get out of your system on its own, but that could take 2 years or more.
If you have warts and abnormal growths or nodules on the penis, scrotum, anus, mouth or throat, don’t hesitate to see a doc to get the right treatment.
One of the tests currently being used to diagnose HPV in men is the HPV PCR. The sample is taken from the genital mucosa and allows for the detection of the virus’ DNA with high specificity.
Biopsies
This can find HPV when it’s showing symptoms. The sample is taken from the lesion and sent to the lab for processing. The result will show if there’s any sign of the virus, the type, and whether the lesion is benign or malignant.
Tests to Detect Internal Genital Warts from HPV
When there are symptoms of HPV, one of the tests that can diagnose lesions in the urethra, bladder, and prostate is endoscopy.
Another test you can take if there are HPV lesions is colposcopy. This procedure examines a woman’s cervix, vagina, and vulva, and can detect abnormal cells or inflammation in the area.
These were some tips to help you know how to deal with HPV. However, there is much more you need to do if you really want to get rid of HPV and warts forever.
What you need to do is GET RID OF THE ROOT of the problem.
For that reason, I recommend you to look into Dr. Kirkland's story and how he was able to cure HPV and get rid of warts for good.
I wish you great success in your recovery!
Frequently asked questions
Does HPV show up in a blood test?
No, HPV cannot be detected through a blood test.
Does HPV show up on every Pap smear?
The Pap smear detects abnormal cells produced by high-risk types of HPV, but it does not detect HPV itself.
Could I have HPV even if my Pap test was normal?
Yes, you could have HPV even if your Pap test was normal. Like I said earlier, a Pap smear can’t detect HPV.
Just because you don’t have any abnormal cells doesn’t mean you don’t have HPV. You could have a low-risk HPV, which are the ones that cause genital warts. Or you could have a high-risk HPV, but it hasn’t caused any cell changes in your cervix yet.
How long after exposure to HPV do you test positive?
The symptoms of HPV can take weeks or months (sometimes even years) to show up. So, I can’t give you an exact date.
Sources:
- https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/cancer/cervical-cancer/whats-hpv-test
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-and-hpv-testing.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hpv-test/about/pac-20394355
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/human-papillomavirus-hpv-test/
Medically reviewed by Dr. Amy Wilson. Dr. Amy Wilson, born in the United States, obtained her medical degree from Lincoln University School of Medicine. Specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, she’s dedicated 15 years to women’s health, becoming a distinguished gynecologist and serving in various U.S. medical institutions.