Know the Link between HPV and Pap Smears Test

Human papilloma virus caused warts seen in the cervix of a infected female

The best time for a pap smears test to detect HPV is before or after the menstrual period. A pap smears test can also be done during pregnancy also.

The procedure for conducting a pap smear test consists of placing a cotton swab, a cervical brush or a wooden spatula into the subject’s vagina and carefully wiping the cervix to remove some cells which can be analyzed. Although there is not usually any pain during this procedure if it is done properly, sometimes there may be a short period of distress.

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The cervical cell sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope to detect any abnormal cells, a sign of HPV.

Abnormal cells are detected under the microscope if the appearance of some cells is different in some way from the typical appearance of normal, healthy cells. When these circumstances occur, the pap smear test is said to be “positive” or “abnormal.”

A “negative” pap smears test means that no abnormal cells were detected and no further action is required until the next pap smears test, which is usually conducted on an annual basis.

A positive pap smears test never means that cervical cancer caused by HPV will be the end result. Sometimes, the tests indicate misleading results. The result may have been abnormal due to some kind of mild infection other then a HPV infection or it may also be due to a mistake in the cell collection process from the cervix region.

This means that a pap smears test may show up as abnormal but in fact the cervix cells are absolutely normal. That’s why a repeat test may be required.

Another pap smears test showing up as "abnormal" can indicate the presence of pre-cancerous or non-cancerous cells. The doctor may require follow-up examinations or an HPV test.

This may not mean there is a problem, but it does help the doctor determine the risk factors involved, including the presence of cancer associated with HPV strains. If a low-risk strain of HPV is discovered, then the doctor may want to monitor the infection.

In an abnormal pap smears test result that indicates a high-risk HPV, the doctor will probably advise that patient undergo a colposcopy.

With this procedure, the doctor uses a special magnifying microscope to examine the cervix. Any abnormal cells can be scraped off, or taking a tissue biopsy, for further assessment or for reaching a precise diagnosis.

A tissue biopsy is the most accurate way of diagnosing whether or not a woman has pre-cancerous cells, cancerous cells, or normal cells.

If you don't have genital warts or vaginal warts and have had abnormal pap smears test results, HPV infection cannot be detected. A pap smear test is used to find possible changes caused by genital warts or vaginal warts in the cervix.

The chances of surviving cervical cancer depend on the stage or time when the disease is detected. Early detection of cervical cancer through an abnormal pap smear test provides a survival rate of more than 85 percent. But if the cervical cancer is detected in later stages, the chances of survival falls below 15 percent.

Risk increases if warts remain for long periods and there are long intervals between tests. Risk of developing cervical cancer multiplies ten times in women with genital or vaginal warts who don't have a pap smears test.

Frequent repetition of the pap smears test should be carried out in woman showing an abnormal pap smears test due to genital warts or vaginal warts HPV.

With regular pap smears, treatment of genital or vaginal warts as well as gynecologist care, vaginal and cervical changes caused by genital warts HPV or any other infections leading to cervical cancer can almost always be prevented and easily cured.