Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Blood Test

One of the ways to investigate the existence of HPV in the human body is through a HPV blood test. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. Out of the hundred types of HPV that exist, thirty affect both, male and female genitalia, leading to serious infections, such as External Genital Warts and Cervical Cancer. There is an interesting fact about the HPV being exclusive in nature. If one of its kinds affects Genital Warts then the person is not at a risk of getting Cervical Cancer, and vice versa.

In the recent times, doctors worldwide have been favoring HPV blood test, the one that detects Cervical Cancer, over the Pap Smear Test. In the usual Pap Smear Test, the cell samples are put under the glass microscope slides. These tend to form clusters, making it difficult to scan them under a microscope. On the contrary, HPV blood test is a preferred test methodology, as it aims for the Papilloma virus DNA in blood plasma or serum, which provides the root information of HPV.

HPV Blood DNA Test

The blood DNA test is one of the special types, which calculates the viral percentile by examining the blood on the viral capsule. In this, the actual tissue from biopsy is examined for the presence of viral DNA fragments called Viratype.

HPV Blood Test Pre-requisites 

Certain advance preparation is required before going in for the HPV detection blood test.

Inform the practitioner of any prescription that includes vitamins and supplements, before making the attempt.

Fasting for around 10 -12 hours, before the test, is mandatory. This directly influences the accuracy of the test conducted.

Certain foods and beverages need to be avoided, such as you may be required not to smoke or take herbal tea around 24 hours prior to the test.

An honest sharing of personal medical history with the health care provider would help you understand the report deviation, if any.

HPV Blood Test Procedure

HPV blood test does not require any particular medical handling procedure. The virus that cause some observable changes, needs to be removed from the system. The generic way to conduct the test is through the DNA test kit that enables the detection of Papilloma virus nucleic acid in blood or existing bodily fluids. This kit contains primers, which are specifically in the charge of amplifying a fragment of HPV DNA, salts, buffers, and deoxynucleotide triphosphates. Although it is said to be inaccurate at times, but it gets hold of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) that miss out in the Pap Smear. Almost all HPV blood tests are carried out through electronic equipments and the measured results is then printed and reported to the patient.