{"id":6541,"date":"2021-07-01T13:07:42","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T11:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.epitype.de\/?p=6541"},"modified":"2021-07-01T13:07:42","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T11:07:42","slug":"positive-hpv-test-what-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epitype.de\/en\/blog\/2021\/07\/01\/positive-hpv-test-what-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Positive HPV test: What now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the beginning of 2020, when early cervical cancer screening in Germany was supplemented by a routine HPV test for women over 35<\/a>, more people have been confronted with a positive test result. First, it is important to mention: This is not a reason to panic. A positive HPV test result is not to be equated with a precancerous stage or even cancer. Rather, most sexually active people become infected with human papillomavirus<\/a> (HPV) at least once in a lifetime. In 90 percent of all cases, the infections heal on their own. If an HPV test is positive, this does not directly require a complex treatment. At first, only the control rhythm changes: Instead of three years, another HPV smear is carried out after twelve months. The first thing to do is to keep calm. (We’ll discuss how to get certainty quickly at the end of the blog post).<\/p>\n

What does HPV positive mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A positive HPV test indicates a clinically relevant HPV infection on the cervix. This is associated with an increased risk of developing a tissue modification. These changes develop very slowly and over the years. A one-time positive HPV test therefore says nothing about cancer \u2013 it only detects a virus infection1<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

If a renewed HPV smear is also positive after one year, a so-called colposcopy<\/a> follows within three months. A special magnifying glass is used to clarify whether there are any changes in the tissue2<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

In around ten percent of those infected, the body cannot successfully fight HPV on its own. Accordingly, tissue changes may develop that correspond to precursors of cervical cancer<\/a> or may develop in the course of cancer3<\/sup><\/a>. In numbers, in Germany this applies to 4,500 people out of up to 500,000 who receive a conspicuous test result every year. It is therefore important to take precautions.<\/p>\n

Differentiation between high and low risk HPV types<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Over 200 different HPV types are now known. Cervical cancer or genital warts are caused by around 40 HPV types. They are divided into two categories4<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n