infections
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Diagnosis of HPV Infection
For genital warts, a doctor's evaluation For cervical cancer screening, a cervical Pap test and/or HPV testing Sometimes, anal cytology (Pap test) For abnormal HPV or Pap test results, sometimes colposcopy, anoscopy, and/or biopsy Genital warts can usually be diagnosed based on their appearance. If warts look unusual, bleed, become open sores (ulcerate), or persist after treatment, a doctor should take a sample (biopsy) and examine it under a microscope to check for precancer or cancer. For Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention , a Pap test and/or HPV testing is done. Doctors usually use the first HPV test to check for any one of a group of HPV types that have a high risk of causing cervical cancer. The result is positive or negative, but the HPV type is not specified. Often, doctors do a follow-up test to check for the specific HPV types that are the most likely to cause cancer (16 and 18), a process called genotyping. Genotyping is done using tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR produces many copies of a gene, which may enable doctors to identify a specific type of HPV’s unique genetic material (DNA). If a cervical Pap test or HPV testing is abnormal (positive), the doctor may do a colposcopy (use of a magnifying lens to examine the cervix) to check for cervical precancer or cancer. In low-resource settings without access to routine Pap tests or colposcopy, screening and evaluation for cervical cancer include HPV testing and/or visual inspection with use of a type of vinegar (acetic acid) or iodine (Lugol iodine). Endoscopy (use of a viewing tube to examine the interior of the anus) is done to check for precancer or cancer in the anus. During colposcopy or anoscopy, a type of vinegar may be applied to the area so that warts can be seen more easily. If a lesion is seen, a biopsy is done. 