Abnormal Pap Smear and HPV
There are a lot of special web resources that contain the information related to abnormal Pap smear and HPV. People should learn about HPV-associated conditions and the ways of their prevention. It is also useful to be well-informed about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and about regular tests that help to monitor the status of genital organs. Regular screening provides the possibility to reveal diseases at an early stage and perform an adequate treatment in order to decrease the risk of severe problems.
A close link between an abnormal Pap smear and HPV has been shown in numerous studies. Pap smear or Papanicolaou test is a simple and effective mean to find different vaginal and cervical diseases. This test can detect various genital conditions, in particular HPV-induced problems. The management for patients with abnormal Pap smear and HPV infection depends on the severity and location of the discovered abnormalities. It may include the use of specific creams and solutions and, in some cases, surgical treatment of lesions.
If a patient has an abnormal Pap smear and HPV, it may be required to make an exact diagnosis through colposcopy and biopsy. HPV may be responsible for such conditions as genital warts, cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. In order to treat these diseases it is often necessary to perform special therapy. An appropriate method of treatment can be determined only by a qualified health care provider.
In order to reduce the risk of HPV infection, it is highly recommended to refrain from sex with multiple partners, unprotected sex and frequent change of sexual partners, and to improve the immune system. People with a weakened immune system and history of risky sexual behavior are much more likely to have abnormal Pap smear and HPV related problems.
It has been shown that more than 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. Some HPV types have an ability to induce pathological transformations in the cells of the cervix. If not treated, these transformations may progress and lead to the development of cervical cancer. For this reason, patients with an abnormal Pap smear and HPV infection should undergo medical exams more frequently.