Human papillomavirus virus

Diagnosis

Human Papillomavirus can be identified really hard, because this type of virus has no symptom both in men and women. So, you have to trust in your health care expert for diagnosis.
Mostly, the genital warts are in the colour of the flesh and they can hide inside of the vagina, penis, cervix, scrotum or anus. They can also be in different shapes like small or large, alone or in clusters, flat or round. They can also spread to mouth.
Some forms of genital warts can be seen with naked eye. They are on the skin and smaller and less visible growths called squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) which cover the cervix and it needs a special device called colposcope to see.
It is also known that the specific HPV types which are known as “condyloma acuminata” are responsible for the genital wart’s development. Each HPV types are divided into two groups as “high risk” or “low risk” associated with the virus’ cancer development effect.
For example, HPV 6 and 11 are thought as low risk types because of the fact that they are usually associated with the genital warts. HPV types 16, 18, 31,33, 35 are seen on the genitals and anus and they are mostly related with cancer both in men and women.
If you realize that you have a genital wart, apply to your health care expert right away.

You should also seek an examination if:
• There are an unusual bumps, growths and skin changes on or near the vagina, vulva or penis.

• There is unusual burning, itching or bleeding in your genital area.

• Your sexual partner has genital warts or genital HPV

A colposcope, a lighted magnifying lens can be used by your heath care expert during the survey to realize where the small warts and abnormal areas. And also a vinegar solution can be applied to the genital areas. This solution turns the abnormal tissues white. This application does not give any pain, this is necessary to see the abnormal tissues and precancerous lesions.
Pap test was designed to realize the cervical cancer in its earliest stages and you can also find the precancerous cells, active HPV infections and abnormal areas with this test.
For the classic Pap test, the health care expert uses a special brush or a spatula to take cell sample from cervix and then put the samples on a glass slide to send them laboratory for evaluation. There is more newer Pap test called Thin Prep Pap test. In this test, the specimen are taken with a special brush and then these samples are put in a liquid preservative and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.
There are various classifications for abnormal consequences. However, the most common is called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS).
The HPV test uses the DNA-based Hybrid Capture 2 technology to find out the HPV and is related with the Pap test. Furthermore, the HPV test is used in women over age 30 to find out the infections. The HPV test is better to identify the developing cervical cancer risk than the Pap test which is use in the same age group of women. Additionally, FDA has approved two new high risk HPV tests. One of them is Cervista HPV HR. it screens the 15 high risk virus strains. The other one is Cervista 16/18. it screens the two types of HPV, HPV 16 and 18.
The HPV tests assist the doctors to determine which kind of follow up is necessary if the Pap test results are abnormal.
The liquid Pap test is another kind of Pap test. It provides screening for cervical cancer and HPV with one sample of cells. The cells are put in a liquid and they can be evaluated both for high risk strains of HPV and for precancerous cells changes and cancer.

Pap test screening guideline:
The following guidelines of Pap tests and early detection of cervical cancer are suggested by The American Cancer Society (ACS).
• All women have cervical cancer within the three years after begin to have sex or by the age of 21. If the conventional Pap tests are used, you should make screening done once a year. If the liquid Pap test technique is used, you should make screening done every two years.

• If the women who are at the age of 30’s have normal resulted Pap tests, they can be screened every two or three years. Moreover, if the women have HPV DNA test,, they can make the Pap tests done every three years.

• The women who are at the age of 65 to 70 and older can stop the cervical cancer screening if they have three or more normal Pap tests results and have no abnormal test result in the last ten years.

The American College of Obstetricians Gynecologist (ACOG) publishes guidelines but this guideline differs. ACOG suggests that the cervical cancer screening should begin at the age of 21 irrespective of sexual background. The women who are younger than the age of 21 have very little risk of cancer. The potential risk does not outweigh for this age group.
Also, according to ACOG the women who are at the age of 21 to 29 should get Pap tests every two years. A little bit more benefit can be got with annual screening for this age group when it is compared with screening every other year. If any women have risk factors for cervical cancer, they need to be tested more frequently.
If the women have had a hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix) can stop cervical cancer screening. You need more frequent Pap screening if the hysterectomy was performed to cure the cervical cancer.
The women whose cervix is not removed and had a hysterectomy should continue to follow the screening procedure according to their ages and prior Pap test results.
Depending on your test results, your health care expert will suggest a treatment plan if any unusual cell changes are defined. This treatment plan includes a waiting period, a repeat Pap test, a DNA based HPV test, a colposcopy or biopsy of abnormal area. If the ASCUS and HPV test is positive according to the Pap test, a colposcopy using will be necessary. If any other serious cell changes are defined with the Pap test, colposcopy is also needed. Mild dysplasia (CIN 1) should not be treated, but the Pap test should be repeated in each 12 months. Further treatment will be required to remove the abnormal cells for CIN1 and CIN 2.
Decide what is best for you according to your medical history by talking with your health care expert.