The HPV test is very accurate is picking up HPV however the most specific is the ISH (in situ hybridization for HPV DNA). However this is a very expensive test, takes about a month for results but will determine the strains of the virus which you have. This should only be performed if a typical HPV test has been returned as positive and in most cases it is not covered by insurance nor is it necessary since treatment for high risk HPV will be the same regardless of the strain.
As for the questions above. HPV does not technically "go away". It can go dormant so that it would show up negative on anHPV test but thsi does not mean the virus is still not in your body. it will ALWAYS be in your body unfortunately from now on and yes you can always run the risk os passing the virus on to your partner at any point in time. If you are not showing any signs of cell changes, dysplasia, then yes you need not do anything other than normal follow ups with routine testing. You should get the vaccine if you are in the age where you still can and any men you date should get it as well to protect them. There are age limitations however but it is now approved for men so you should encourage your partners to get the vaccine. Some docs will tell YOU that if you are already HPV positive you cannot get the vaccine. This is NOT true and you should question the doc as to where they got this info as circular provided with vaccine disputes this claim. So they either haven't read it or are ignoring it unless of course you are over 26 years of age because it is only covered by insurance to that age. You can get it "off label" meaning if you are over age 26 from some docs but will have to pay for it yourself a cost of about $350.
Comment Reply
The HPV test is very accurate is picking up HPV however the most specific is the ISH (in situ hybridization for HPV DNA). However this is a very expensive test, takes about a month for results but will determine the strains of the virus which you have. This should only be performed if a typical HPV test has been returned as positive and in most cases it is not covered by insurance nor is it necessary since treatment for high risk HPV will be the same regardless of the strain.
As for the questions above. HPV does not technically "go away". It can go dormant so that it would show up negative on anHPV test but thsi does not mean the virus is still not in your body. it will ALWAYS be in your body unfortunately from now on and yes you can always run the risk os passing the virus on to your partner at any point in time. If you are not showing any signs of cell changes, dysplasia, then yes you need not do anything other than normal follow ups with routine testing. You should get the vaccine if you are in the age where you still can and any men you date should get it as well to protect them. There are age limitations however but it is now approved for men so you should encourage your partners to get the vaccine. Some docs will tell YOU that if you are already HPV positive you cannot get the vaccine. This is NOT true and you should question the doc as to where they got this info as circular provided with vaccine disputes this claim. So they either haven't read it or are ignoring it unless of course you are over 26 years of age because it is only covered by insurance to that age. You can get it "off label" meaning if you are over age 26 from some docs but will have to pay for it yourself a cost of about $350.
November 9, 2010 - 8:07pmThis Comment
Reply