HPV TESTING

What you should know

HPV is known as the Human Papillomavirus is a STI (sexually transmitted infection). There are over a hundred different strains of the virus and therefore the symptoms vary. It is believed to be responsible for genital warts, cancers of the cervix, anal canal, penis, throat and vagina.

Transmission of HPV

The infection is contracted by oral, anal, or vaginal sex and/or skin to skin genital contact with an infected person. Those more at risk include:

1. People with multiple sexual partners.
2. Exposure to warts.
3. People with areas of damaged skin.
4. People with a weakened immune system i.e. after and/or during an illness.

Symptoms of HPV

Unfortunately HPV is a silent adversary laying dormant in the body and infecting susceptible individuals.

Characterised symptoms that you are infected are fleshy growths or bumps (warts) and changes in and around the anus or genital area. They manifest from three weeks to a few months or years after being infected.

What's the diagnosis of HPV?

Accurate diagnosis of HPV is based on clinical appearance. A swab from the penis or cervix is normally taken for HPV testing and directly from any genital skin lesions. It is then sent to an accredited laboratory for testing to screen for 20 of the most frequent strains of HPV including the higher risk types.

HPV and smear testing

We provide HPV testing and cervical smear tests at our Sexual Health Clinic. For positive results we also provide sub-typing of HPV. Letting you know whether your virus strain is a low or high risk for future complications.

HPV testing for men and women

We provide cervical smear testing for HPV DNA with individual reporting of all subtypes

16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68

The results are available in 4 to 6 days

Price for HPV screening

HPV test results+

Negative

Should the result be negative we recommend you immunise against HPV. If for some reason you were not given the HPV vaccination while you were at school we will be able to do this for you with the most up-to-date vaccine.

Our doctor will be able to tell you, if you are immuno compromised, if this is appropriate for you. It is important. You need to tell us.

Positive

If the result is positive, women will need a follow-up smear test to detect for any cervical abnormalities and followed by regular check-ups.

A positive test for high risk HPV types may not predispose you to cervical cancer. Many women will have been infected with at least one HPV strain which clears by itself within a few months without causing any damage however we strongly recommend regular smear tests for women infected with a high-risk strain.

Men infected with HPV usually experience genital warts symptoms which our doctor can expertly remove them effectively and permanently. (Several treatments may be necessary.)

Vaccine for HPV

We provide the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine at our clinic and our doctors are always happy to discuss any concerns or worries you may have regarding any underlying medical concerns or problems prior to receiving the vaccine.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines for girls and boys over the age of 12 to prevent the risk of contracting HPV and the inherent risk of cervical and other types of cancer.

The vaccine is administered in two doses, 6 to 12 months apart.

It is also recommended for adolescents: 21 - 26 years old and below who were not vaccinated during national health programme.

HPV treatment

When your HPV test is positive treatment is the next thing to be done. There unfortunately is no cure to the virus, but any symptoms can be treated with medication, including topical medication creams.

We do recommend cryotherapy at our clinic to take out unpleasant warts. This treatment may need to be repeated over and over again until all the warts are completely removed.

So, if you are looking for a HPV test and/or treatment, look no further visit the Sexual Health Clinic in Harley Street, London.

Ways to prevent and avoid HPV

HPV is a common virus which makes it quite difficult to avoid completely. However, some measures can curtail the risk of a HPV infection includes:

• Having a HPV vaccine
• Reduce the number of sexual partners
• Avoid sex with people known to have had multiple sexual partners
• Avoid sex with anyone displaying symptoms associated with HPV i.e. gential warts.

Using condoms correctly may not completely prevent the virus but will definitely help stop its spread.