Prepare for the HPV test. Testing for human papillomavirus: why is it so important? Methods for determining the disease

Micrograph of a cervical cancer cell

The human papillomavirus is dangerous not because it causes the appearance of papillomas and condylomas. These formations are relatively harmless. HPV scary because it can cause cancer. For example, in women it causes cervical cancer in 95% of cases. In men, oncogenic types HPV can cause cancer of the penis and larynx. That is why every person who is sexually active should be tested for HPV at least once every 3-5 years.

Only with regular examination by a gynecologist or urologist can precancerous processes be noticed in time and the disease prevented.

We tell you how to get tested for the papilloma virus: what tests and examinations there are, how much they cost and what is prescribed in different situations.

Types of HPV tests

HPV tests: how the collected material is examined

There are two types of tests for HPV- qualitative and quantitative:

• Qualitative analyzes

This is a type of analysis that can be used to determine the presence or absence HPV, but it is impossible to estimate how many units of the virus are in the body. A qualitative analysis is the polymerase chain reaction - PCR (PCR). The results of this analysis do not accurately predict the risk of cancer problems. Those. The virus itself can be detected, but it is impossible to understand whether there is enough of it in the body to trigger cancer.

• Quantitative analyzes

This is a type of analysis that can be used to determine not only the presence or absence of the papilloma virus, but also the viral load (the number of viral particles in the body). Such analyzes include another type PCR — PCR in real time ( - PCR) and Daijin test (Digene test, or hybrid capture test). These tests allow you to detect a significant amount of the virus in the body and understand how the disease will develop further.

Advantages, both quantitative and qualitative PCR, before the Daijin test is the possibility of typing the virus. Typing a virus means determining its type HPV ( HPV 16, HPV 18 and so on). Different types HPV with different probabilities of provoking malignant changes, so it is very useful to know which type a person is infected with.

Let's talk about these tests in more detail.

PCR - polymerase chain reaction

How much time analysis is done: up to 3 working days

• without typing - 290 rub.
• with typing - high oncogenic risk groups (about 14 types) - 800 RUR, low risk (about 3 types) - 400 RUR
• only HPV 16 and 18 (with typing) - 270 rub.

Results and their interpretation:

Digene test

The Daijin test also allows you to determine DNA virus (and therefore its presence) and its quantity. During analysis, material taken from the patient is examined under a special microscope. This test also requires scraping material.

In general, like the quantitative type PCR, The Daijin test is more sensitive and informative than the usual one PCR. But at the same time, it is more expensive and has a significant drawback - it cannot be used for typing HPV.

How much time analysis is done: up to 8 working days

Average cost (in Moscow): 4000-6000r

Results and their interpretation:

The test result is given in relative units. These units reflect the proportion between the number of viral copies and the viral threshold level. The threshold level for this test is 100 thousand copies of virus/1 ml of material. Those. 1 relative unit = 100 thousand copies DNA virus in 1 ml of material.

• If the result is below the threshold level, the test will write “not detected”
• If the result is equal to the threshold level, or above it, then the value will be given in relative units.

For example: “1 rel. unit.”, “2 rel. ed" and so on.

According to the criteria of the Digene test, even 1 relative unit is the amount of virus sufficient for the development of cancer

When and how often should you be tested for HPV?

The doctor determines which test is best to take. As a rule, high-quality tests are taken for preventive examinations - they are cheaper and easily determine whether there is a virus or not. Quantitative tests are taken if qualitative tests are positive, if there is a suspicious smear on cytology, or if papillomas are found during an examination of a person.

It is important to understand that the presence of a virus does not mean illness. When found HPV it is necessary to be examined further and carefully monitor the health of the genital organs.

How to prepare for HPV tests

Preparation and analysis for all tests for HPV- the same. But there is a slight difference in preparation for men and women.

How to prepare for the test:

Women: You cannot take the test during menstruation and 5 days before it. The best time to get tested is the first half of the cycle (the first week and a half after the end of menstruation). Two days before taking a scraping, it is necessary to avoid sexual intercourse and vaginal douching. You should not urinate 2 hours before taking a scraping.

For men: two days before any examinations, you need to exclude sexual intercourse and douching of the urethra, and 1.5 - 2 hours before taking a scraping or other procedures, you cannot avoid urinating.

Regular examination for HPV and getting tested is an integral part of taking care of your health for every person who is sexually active. After all HPV- It is not simple sexually transmitted infection, this is a very dangerous carcinogenic virus. Analyzes for HPV (PCR or Digene test) is a simple and accurate way to find out about the presence of a virus in the body, and in time to prevent cervical or penile cancer.

The course of an infection such as papillomavirus is chronic and characterized by periodic relapses. In fact, it is not a disease, but sometimes it provokes dangerous pathologies.

HPV tests for women - what is it?

Testing for human papillomavirus involves conducting a study to identify the fact of infection, followed by treatment and observation. A woman may not know that a virus has entered her body. Often the infection disappears after some time, but if the immune system is weakened, it begins to manifest itself as a serious illness. You can learn more about this by watching the video, and if you find a coincidence of symptoms, get tested.

The general name HPV hides more than a hundred pathogenic organisms that do not have a shell and contain DNA. They cause diseases of the mucous membranes, skin, and oncology in women and men. The cervix is ​​especially defenseless against them.

The most dangerous types:
HPV-16;
HPV-18;
HPV-45.

Oncological disease is most often caused by the first of them, although the last 2 often become the cause high risk the appearance of cervical diseases.

How can a woman prepare for HPV testing?

Before taking an HPV test, a woman needs preparation in the form of: hygiene procedures, and compliance with certain conditions:
absence critical days;
abstaining from sexual intercourse one day before visiting a doctor;
refusal of tampons and vaginal pills.

It is best to take a smear test immediately in the first days after menstruation. Sometimes the examination is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, but there are no negative consequences after the procedure. The preparation also includes a recommendation not to visit the toilet for 3 hours before handing over the material.

A blood test for HPV in women, how often is it performed?

Papillomavirus in the blood is detected in two ways:
1. Using the polymerase chain reaction method, which is briefly called PCR.
2. By enzyme immunoassay- ELISA.

Decoding the first will allow you to find out about the stage of the disease, life cycle and the amount of virus. For the test, material such as blood, urine, saliva, scraping from the mucous membrane of the urethra or cervix is ​​donated. The virus in the blood reveals itself by the presence of antibodies or DNA of the pathogen. Taking a papillomavirus test using the second method means identifying not the virus itself, but only antibodies to it, therefore, it is impossible to know the degree of its carcinogenicity. Therefore it cannot be final.

In some cases, you will have to retake everything. It happens that the viral load is small or at the time of blood sampling the disease is in the incubation period, then there may not be antibodies, because the immune system has not had time to produce them, then you also need to take the test again.

Testing for the presence of papilloma for women after 30 years of age is necessary in mandatory. Until this age, it is prescribed and rarely given - the virus disappears on its own. To identify atypical cells at the earliest stage of their development, the test is performed every 3-5 years, and sometimes fluid is taken for examination every year.

How is a smear taken for HPV in women?

Cervical diseases are often asymptomatic. Visually the uterus is healthy. Basically, pathology can only be detected by cytology, colposcopy or biopsy. The material for the study is a smear taken from the cervical canal.

It's not difficult to pass it on. Using a special instrument called a colposcope, the procedure is painless but accompanied by minor discomfort. There is an extended colposcopy, when the doctor examines the cervix under a microscope. This analysis can be completed in approximately 15 minutes.

It consists of 2 stages:
1. Treatment of the cervix with a solution of acetic acid 3% concentration. The vessels narrow, and the pathology of the cervix is ​​clearly visible.
2. Processing aqueous solution iodine, under the influence of which healthy cells will become colored, but altered ones will not.

If necessary, a biopsy is prescribed - a piece of changed tissue is taken. Duration of this painful procedure 0.5 hours. Tissues and blood vessels are damaged, so slight bleeding is possible for several days.

Can HPV infection be transmitted sexually?

Oncogenic types of the virus can most often be transmitted sexually. People who are promiscuous are especially at risk of contracting it. Where does the conclusion come from: the more often you have sexual contact with a large number of partners, the greater the degree of risk. The infection can be transmitted if a partner has one - they are easily damaged and very contagious. If you notice this, you need to get tested immediately.

If a woman has warts, genital warts, or papillomas on her genitals, then during childbirth she can transmit the papillomavirus to her child. This risks the baby developing laryngeal papillomatosis, which causes breathing problems and other manifestations. This main reason in order to pass all tests in advance.

How long does it take to prepare an HPV test for women?

Depending on the type of analysis and the place where it was submitted, the timing of the provision of results varies in different time ranges. You should wait 2 days for the results of a PCR or smear test, and about 7 days for a Digen test, but sometimes it can take as long as 14.

The cost of the procedure also affects how long the analysis takes. In expensive medical centers, research results are provided faster. This does not mean that you only need to take tests there, but the quality is directly proportional to the cost - it happens that when you take tests in inexpensive clinics, the tests are carried out more correctly and accurate results are given.

How is an HPV test taken in men?

As soon as a man suspects that his body is infected with HPV, he needs a diagnosis. It is necessary to prepare and go to an appointment with an andrologist or urologist and submit material for examination. Before sending the patient for tests, the doctor will examine him and, if such a tumor is detected, will perform a biopsy.
This diagnostic method gives the most reliable results, but you should know that it is a little painful.

A scraping is taken from the mucous membrane of the urethra and glans penis. Based on this analysis, we can put accurate diagnosis, even if the disease passes in hidden form, which will allow you to avoid complications

The materials posted on this page are informational in nature and intended for educational purposes. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your attending physician! The company is not responsible for possible negative consequences arising from the use of information posted on the website

HPV test taken to confirm or exclude the presence of the virus in the body. papilloma virus is a generalized name for a large number of viruses that cause serious pathologies. Some of them cause diseases skin. Others form warts, papillomas and develop pathological processes in the human reproductive system. Therefore, it is very important to know the reasons for their appearance and methods of clinical diagnosis.

Causes of HPV

Papilloma is a virus that long time may be asymptomatic in human body. Even for several months and years. It is important to know that the main reasons for its occurrence are:

1. Weakened immunity.
2. Long-term use of antibiotics.
3. Lack of vitamins.
4. Alcohol and nicotine addiction.
5. Frequent stress.
6. Transmission of chronic infectious diseases.
7. Inflammation of the genitourinary system.
8. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
9. Promiscuous sexual intercourse.
10. Early sexual relations with the opposite sex.
11. Failure to comply with personal hygiene measures.
12. Presence of HIV infection.

When human papilloma virus becomes more active and various neoplasms appear on the body. The most dangerous location of formations is the genitals of men and women.

Main types of tests for papilloma

The following laboratory tests help most accurately determine the presence of the virus in the body:

• General analysis of venous blood.
• PCR from the vagina.
• Cytological smear of the vagina.
• Scraping from the cervical canal.
• Biopsy.
• Colposcopy.
• Rectal scraping.

Typically, a doctor will order these tests only after a thorough examination of the patient who has applied. Experts strongly recommend that people who have crossed the threshold of 30 years of age take HPV tests once every three years.

Collection Features

It is important to know that incorrect collection of tests can lead to a false negative result. That is why there are some requirements for patients. This allows experts to research a higher quality product. And the clients who contact us get an accurate result.

In order to get it right get tested for HPV, you must follow the following recommendations:

1. You must stop taking any medications three days in advance.
2. In no case should local treatments be carried out in two days.
3. Before submitting histological materials, sexual intercourse is prohibited.
4. Water procedures should not be carried out immediately before examinations.
5. For men, it is not recommended to empty the bladder several hours before.
6. Smoking is prohibited on the day of the procedure.
7. Douching should not be done three to four days in advance.
8. Two days in advance - drink alcoholic beverages.
9. Women are prohibited get tested for papilloma during the menstrual period.
10. Taking tests is also prohibited in the presence of viral diseases.

It is important to know: “During the procedure, women must stop taking oral contraceptives! Otherwise, the research result will be false!”

How samples are taken and examined in women

Unfortunately, the virus affects the mucous membranes that are most important for conception. These are the vagina and cervix.

To carry out the manipulations, the woman is placed on a gynecological chair. After which, the specialist conducts a visual examination of the genital organs using a cotton swab. Then, a soft plastic brush is inserted into the cervical canal. She goes through several circular movements in the inner part of the channel. After which, the brush is immediately placed in a special test tube and sent for research.

In the presence of visually detectable neoplasms, HPV test A small piece of affected tissue is taken.

A year later, after completing the full course of treatment, patients take the test again. blood for papillomavirus. And they rent it out gynecological tests. If the test result is again positive, the doctor updates and extends the course of treatment.

It is important to know that sometimes the appearance of this disease is accompanied by fever, chills and muscle pain. Under no circumstances should such symptoms be ignored!

How to take a test in men

In the male reproductive system, this virus rarely progresses to the stage of cancer. Therefore, screening is not necessary. To diagnose infection, it is enough to take a polymerase chain reaction test.

To do this, the man is placed on medical couch back down. It is suggested that you take a comfortable position and relax. Next, the venereologist, using a special cotton swab, collects mucous secretions from the head of the penis. This used instrument is immediately placed in a clean flask. In the second step, the healthcare professional inserts a similar cotton pad into the urethra. The resulting material is placed in another flask and, together with the first collection, is sent for further study to laboratory assistants.

These research methods are painless, although they bring unpleasant sensations that disappear after a short period of time. And they are fickle in nature.

Why do you need to get tested?

Hand over human papillomavirus test necessary, as this disease can be deadly! For women of childbearing age, it can contribute to the development of infertility, erosion, miscarriages and pathological pregnancy. In men, complications develop in the form of chronic genital infections. It causes anal cancer in both sexes.

If pregnant women are affected, then treatment should not be delayed. After all, during labor activity, the baby can become infected with this disease from the mother.

It is important to understand: “Children become infected with papilloma no less often than adults. For parents, it is important to notice the emerging illness in time and seek help from a specialist!

Diagnostics

The diagnostic examination begins with asking the patient about the presence of complaints and an initial examination of the affected areas of the body. After which, the specialist sends the person who applied for laboratory tests. At the same time, they are different for men and women. Common to both sexes are: Avenous blood analysis for HPV, Daijin - test, cytological studies of affected tissues, detection of immunodeficiency, histological studies of infected tissues.

Women are additionally prescribed to undergo a cervical biopsy and colposcopy. It is important to know that these studies are carried out only after the patient took a blood test for HPV, and the result was positive.

Men undergo a polymerase chain reaction test.

HPV tests

Hand over blood for papillomavirus It is necessary on an empty stomach in the morning. Drinking liquid before donating blood is also prohibited. Violation of these rules increases the likelihood of obtaining incorrect laboratory data. Immediately after the procedure, it is recommended to eat chocolate and mineral water. Thus, lost strength will be restored faster and the body will return to normal.

Research using the Digen test is considered the most effective. The fact is that it captures sections of DNA, which allows you to more quickly and accurately determine the type of infection. In women, material for laboratory study removed from the vagina by taking a smear. While the men go to take scrapings.

A small number of pathogens detected in time do not cause oncological complications. And numerous damage to the body is favorable for the development of malignant diseases.

Donating blood for ELISA and PCR

Enzyme immunoassay is best practice identification of infectious and oncological markers. Its main advantage is: error-free detection of the required elements, even if their content in the human body is very small.

Material for laboratory research is taken using several methods. Namely, by collecting venous blood, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid and mucous membranes. At the same time, the most popular and simplest method is blood sampling. This analysis is collected exclusively on an empty stomach and only in the early morning.

It is worth noting: “This method is not accessible and has a relatively high cost. And only a highly qualified doctor should decipher its results!”

PCR analysis is based on the principles of molecular biology. It carries out an exact copy of DNA fragments of the settled virus thanks to the use of special enzymes. Its data helps predict the nature of the development of malignant tumors.

You need to be well prepared for donating blood. Namely: stop taking any medications three days in advance.

It is worth noting that the correctness of the results of this newest method is not affected by the presence of stress and the composition of a balanced diet.

Routes of transmission and prevention of the virus

Unfortunately, the presence of this virus in the body is observed in the majority of the population. This is due to the spread of the trend of early sexual relations and oral sex.

The following routes of infection are distinguished:

• Sexual - kissing with an infected partner, unprotected sexual intercourse, oral and anal sex.
• Household - through existing microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes. Often, this happens through personal touching of another person’s growths and personal belongings.
• Infection of a child during labor through a virus-infected reproductive system.

People who do not maintain a correct and timely diet are at high risk of infection. And also, patients with hormonal imbalances and pathological activity of immune system cells.

In order to reduce the risk of contracting the virus, you need to have one regular sexual partner and not have promiscuous sex. In the event that the partner does not know each other well, then during sexual relations condoms should be used. And also completely exclude non-traditional types of sex. Strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene will also help to avoid accidental infection with papilloma.

It is important to know that neglect of the disease can lead to irreversible consequences. That is why, when the first tumors or positive results are detected analysis for papillomavirus, You need to immediately seek help from a specialist! Otherwise, such primary complication, like suppuration - cannot be avoided!

The HPV virus has its own characteristics and at first has virtually no symptoms. Often, patients come in with obvious signs of genital warts on the labia, vagina and cervix in women.

Some species are not difficult to visually identify on the genitals yourself. When you contact a gynecologist during an examination, genital warts are revealed in the area of ​​the cervical canal and genitals.

Lead to characteristic symptoms neoplasia.

A PCR test for HPV is taken by taking a scraping from the vagina in women or from the urethra and cervical canal in men, if we talk about how a test for hidden HPV is taken. The tissue is also subject to biopsy.

These tests will allow laboratory technicians to differentiate pathogens in the body for their oncogenicity, distinctive features their other infectious agents. When papillomas are detected, there is a high risk of activation of pathological processes in the body.

A blood test will allow you to determine the type of microorganisms, their concentration, low-gene or high-gene effect on the body.

By collecting a piece of tissue from the mucous membrane, the biomaterial is sent for oncocytology examination.

Additionally, tests are carried out to identify the pathogen that can lead to changes in cells and the development of HPV pathology.

If HPV is not detected when taking a smear, then a colcoscopy test for HPV is carried out by examining the woman’s cervix under a microscope. If abnormalities are detected, a biopsy is performed to take a tissue sample for histology to clarify the nature of the neoplasm.

It is possible to collect tissue from the labia, other parts, or the oral cavity. The suspected area of ​​viral infection is examined for biopsy.

It is possible to take biomaterial from a vein or blood plasma in order to confirm or refute the presence of the HPV pathogen, to identify its percentage, and the degree of deviations from the norm. If the analysis of human papilloma HPV indicates an excess of concentration in the blood, then this already creates real threat development of a malignant tumor, when later the patient will need to undergo the treatment suggested by the doctor.

In women, samples must be taken from the cervix or cervical canal to be tested for the presence of HPV. Taking a scraping is considered informative in determining the location of the papillomas virus.

In some cases, cytology is additionally performed when other research results have not led to positive results. Sometimes patients are asked to undergo probing during the absence of menstruation in order to avoid obtaining unreliable results.

Women under 30 years of age are advised to undergo cytology to detect HPV. It is important to understand that the results are not always fair, because HPV infection has a secretive course and there may not even be papillomas on the body.

Tests for younger women under 23 years of age for the presence of papillomavirus are considered informative. That is why it is important not to miss the moment of testing for HPV.

Some papilloma viruses are prone to malignant transformation of normal cells into cancerous ones, so identifying them at the initial stage will allow doctors to prescribe timely treatment and completely relieve patients from this disease.

If unpleasant symptoms in the genitals in the form of itching, burning, pain, leakage of unknown mucus from the vagina are evident, then, of course, you should no longer hesitate to consult a doctor.

Before we talk about the papilloma virus, you should know what it is. HPV is a sexually transmitted infectious disease. Its danger lies in the fact that the virus in the body can cause other inflammations and diseases in the human body. Papillomas form on the skin.

Men, as well as women, if HPV is suspected, should undergo a set of diagnostic measures to identify the infection. If you find suspicious formations on the genitals, you should immediately contact a urologist or andrologist. First of all, the person will be sent for tests, based on the results of which a course of treatment will be prescribed.

The tissue taken from the organ will be sent for further examination for a biopsy to determine the viral type. Under no circumstances should the taken material be frozen; it can be stored for no more than 4 days in the refrigerator.

Papillomas and warts are unpleasant-looking neoplasms that appear on the skin and mucous membranes of humans. They are caused by the inhabitants of the microcosm neighboring humans - fungi, viruses.

Papilloma is damage to the mucous membrane and skin of a person. It is of viral origin. Papillomas are:

• single and multiple;
• acquired and congenital.

The doctor recommends undergoing diagnostics when there is a possibility of infection with oncogenically dangerous types of human papillomavirus (HPV). After a visual examination, the patient is offered a blood test for antibodies to papillomavirus using ELISA or PCR diagnostics (polymerase chain reaction).

During primary infection, a test for the presence of viral DNA is necessary, because clinical manifestations similar to HPV can cause diseases of non-viral etiology. Modern research makes it possible to establish the genotype of the virus, which is important for determining the degree of its oncogenic risk. But how often should you be examined?

Gynecologists recommend that women diagnosed with condylomas undergo a smear test for the human papillomavirus every year. Tissue sampling from the affected area is also carried out annually in men suffering from papillomas in intimate places and in the oral cavity.

The smear contains samples of cells, among which malignant ones can be detected, therefore this analysis is oncocytological.

One of the most common and dangerous sexually transmitted infections is the human papillomavirus or HPV: it can cause warts, various diseases and genital cancer. This infection is transmitted different ways, has many types and threatens all sexually active people.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, what to do if a virus is detected and how to treat papillomas - we’ll try to figure it out.

Human papillomavirus is a huge group of viruses, which includes 27 species and about 500 strains (types). Most of them do not entail pathologies in the human body, they exist unnoticed, without complications, but some types are potentially dangerous. They can cause various diseases, including cancer, disorders reproductive functions, HIV.

The main question that concerns patients is whether HPV (papilloma) can be cured completely and forever? Unfortunately no. In 90% of cases, the immune system copes on its own, but there are no effective methods for eliminating it from the body.

Treatment boils down to the removal of warts, condylomas and possible consequences of the disease - benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium. Some medications are used to help the body fight infection and speed up the process of tissue repair.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) family has a tropism for epithelial tissues and mucous membranes of organs, causing changes in the form of genital warts and warts.

HPV is transmitted intranatally or transplacentally. For each method there is a certain risk of infection.

Research suggests that delivery by caesarean section, increases the likelihood of human papillomavirus infection. There is no change in women's risk of infection during natural or induced childbirth.

The recurrent course of respiratory papillomatosis is provoked by the presence of several types of pathogens - 68, 59, 56, 52,51,45, 39, 35, 33, 31, 18, 16. The differences in the oncogenicity of the serotypes lie in the ability of each type to determine the number of divisions intracellularly.

Transmission of HPV through sexual contact

HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, like a sexually transmitted disease. infectious diseases. After contact of the blood of a carrier or an infected person with the blood of a donor (through erosions, fissures in the genital organs), the virion enters the bloodstream. Clinical symptoms are formed according to the serotype of the virus:

• Vulgar plantar warts are caused by HPV types 63, 1, 4, 2;
• Flat warts – 75, 41, 28, 49,10, 3;
• Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is observed in patients with papillomatosis caused by serotype 11 or 6.

According to scientists, there are many papillomaviruses that have not yet been examined. Humanity has carefully studied oncogenic representatives, which has made it possible to create effective protection against cervical cancer in women.

Mechanism of infection by domestic papillomavirus

A blood test for human papillomavirus in developed countries is used for mass identification of carriers and sick people. The diagnostic reliability of cytology is up to 95%. A DNA test in the USA is performed for the following indications:

• In women over 30 years of age, as a screening test;
• To identify questionable research results;
• In the absence of screening programs;
• For control after removal of cervical cancer.

List of diagnostic procedures for identifying papillomavirus:

1. Cytological examination in combination with the Digene test allows you to determine the clinically significant concentration of the virus in the blood;
2. Urological, gynecological examination - to detect genital warts, genital warts;
3. Histological examination of a piece of tissue taken after a gynecological or urological examination.

The main task of papillomavirus diagnostics is to identify precancerous conditions. Colposcopy and cytology are the most common and available methods diagnosis of the disease.

When the doctor begins to suspect the presence of a virus in the body, a blood test is prescribed to the suspected patient.

Biomaterial is examined in two ways:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The ELISA test has pros and cons:

1. The positive side is the speed of the result. It allows you to identify the etiology (causes) of the disease, clarify what triggered the appearance of skin growths on the mucous membranes or skin of a person. ELISA accurately determines at what stage the pathological development of the disease is.
2. The negative side is the inability to identify a specific pathogen. The test will only show the presence of the virus in the blood. This laboratory diagnosis is not aimed at identifying the HPV strain, but at the reaction of human immunity to papillomavirus.
3. Another unpleasant aspect of this type of examination is if a person had HPV before and completed the course medical treatment ELISA can give positive result. In this case it will be a false positive. If the infection is in the incubation stage, an enzyme immunoassay of the blood may not show the presence of the virus, then it will be a false negative test.

The reliability of the enzyme immunoassay reaction reaches 95%. It is better to take it in conjunction with a PCR test.

PCR analysis can also be assigned pros and cons:

• Research in exceptional cases gives incorrect results. It is aimed at finding the DNA of the causative agent of papillomavirus, and allows you to determine its type.
• If you have recently become infected and the virus is just “taking root”, PCR analysis will detect its presence even with a minimal amount of viral DNA and RNA molecules.

What do the results mean?

Before being tested for HPV, the patient must undergo a series of preparatory procedures, following the recommendations of doctors:

An examination for papillomavirus is carried out before starting therapy and after its completion, after 30 days. For examination, a woman undergoes scraping from the cervix and vagina, and a man undergoes scraping from the urethra and rectum.

How to take the test and how is it done? Before conducting research, certain preparation is required. Need to:

• refrain from going to the toilet several hours before the procedure;
• refrain from sexual intercourse 8-12 hours before taking the test;

A study for human papillomas in women is carried out before menstruation or two days after its completion. Male analysis is carried out at any time.

A number of medications will affect the HPV test in women, causing a false negative result or distorting it to the point of being completely uninformative. To ensure that the test is carried out well and gives the maximum result, the following medications should not be taken before taking the test for papillomavirus:

• antiviral;
• antimicrobial;
• contraceptives.

The taken material is not frozen; it is stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of four days. Smears and scrapings should be made with sterile disposable medical instruments in disposable tubes.

Before blood sampling, it is forbidden to drink any liquids other than water. The papillomavirus test is taken on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning.

Modern medicine offers 3 ways to get tested, which are considered the most informative:

1. Blood analysis.
2. Urine examination.
3. Scraping

Blood collection

To take an HPV test by taking blood, a few days before the test the patient needs to give up foods that can cause allergic reaction. Drinking alcohol the night before your hospital visit is also prohibited. The analysis is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach.

Blood is drawn from a vein. If a woman cannot tolerate the sight of blood, or she has some other reasons that may prevent the collection of material for analysis for the human papillomavirus using this method, the doctor should be informed in advance. Another diagnostic method will be prescribed.

Urine examination

Urine collection to detect the virus is carried out early in the morning. After the last meal and until the biological fluid is collected for analysis, at least 7 hours must pass. No special preparations are required.

Urine is collected in a special sterile container, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Using a clean, sterilized jar is not recommended, but is acceptable. Deliver biological material It is necessary to go to the laboratory for analysis as quickly as possible, but no later than 4 hours after urination.

Taking a smear

Determining the presence of human papillomavirus in women by taking a smear is considered the most reliable diagnostic method. It should not be forgotten that none of the existing methods may not be 100% accurate. There is always a possibility of error in the results.

To ensure that the study is not distorted by extraneous factors, the woman will need to follow a number of recommendations:

The reliability of the laboratory test data will depend on how correctly all medical recommendations for preparatory measures are carried out.

Biological material is collected from women from the cervical canal and vagina. To take a smear, the patient must be in a gynecological chair.

Existing natural mucus is blotted with a napkin or tampon. The smear is taken using a disposable sterile brush.

It is inserted into the vagina and carefully rotational movements scraping is removed. The resulting biological material is placed in a test tube, after making an imprint on the instrument glass.

The sample is sent to the laboratory for further study.

Depending on what concentration of the virus is detected, a diagnosis is made. If the cell concentration is less than or equal to 3 units, then such an analysis is considered negative, that is, the woman is not infected with HPV.

When the indicator reaches 5 units, it is recommended to conduct a repeat, more sensitive study, since in this case the result is considered doubtful. If the concentration of virus cells is more than 5 units, then the woman’s infection with HPV is confirmed.

There are three main methods. There used to be more, but some of them are already outdated:

• blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• scraping

It should be noted that the last version of the study is suitable for all people, moreover, it is more accurate than the others and has its own characteristics.

If it is difficult for a person to donate blood from a vein, then in such cases urine is donated to the laboratory. It is immediately necessary to make a reservation that this method is the least accurate. To do this, the patient needs to collect a little urine in a dry, clean container and take it for further examination. How to collect urine?

• urine should be collected early in the morning;
• no more than 4 hours should pass from the moment of urination to the examination, otherwise the result may be unreliable;
• Biomaterial should be collected on an empty stomach, i.e. at least 7–8 hours should pass between urine collection and food intake.

As mentioned above, a smear gives a 100% result of the study. There is no need to be afraid of it, everything goes quickly and painlessly.

If a woman has been diagnosed with formations, the doctor will have to conduct a study, before which it is necessary to tell the patient how to prepare for the analysis. Everything will depend on the chosen testing method.

In any case, if an HPV test is prescribed for women, it is necessary to explain how it is taken and what happens next. The examination is scheduled either a month after the end of therapy or before it begins.

To determine the DNA of the virus variety, the doctor takes a smear:

• in women - from the cervical canal and vagina;
• in men - from the urethra.

If a woman is menstruating, no material is taken for research. This should be done either before the start of menstruation, or two days after its end. Additionally, the doctor may take a smear from the rectum.

Before taking material for men and women, preparation is needed, namely:

• 3 hours before taking a smear, you should not urinate;
• 36 hours before the procedure, refrain from sexual intercourse.

If the results turned out to be questionable and an offer was made to undergo a repeat HPV test, then it must be carried out in the same laboratory. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions. After being referred for a blood test for HPV or a smear, you should be given a memo that describes everything in detail on how to submit biological material for research.

Testing for HPV in men and women serves in a good way identify the existing problem and prevent its development. Only qualified specialists interpret the results. All recommendations outside a specialized institution are for informational purposes only and should not become a reason for self-medication.

The human papillomavirus is potentially dangerous for people of any gender and age. It has been noticed that before the age of 30, in most cases of infection, the so-called reverse development occurs - the virus disappears from the body without having time to harm it. But the older the patient, the higher the risk of the viral infection degenerating into cancer.

The most common questions are related to reading the results of the Digene test. They are simple.

If the form received with the examination results contains the inscription “DNA not detected,” then we can talk about complete absence virus. But there may be other notes in it.

The inscription “less than 3 Lg” indicates the presence of the virus in the body in an insignificant concentration. The result “3–5 Lg” indicates that the amount of the pathogen is potentially dangerous.

But the inscription “more than 5 Lg” characterizes the concentration of the virus as very high.

Many patients are interested in how long it takes to test for HPV. The answer depends on the type of diagnosis and the capabilities of the medical institution. Usually results can be obtained after 2-3 days.

The interpretation of the HPV analysis is carried out in a clinical laboratory only by a specialist. For the patient, the explanations are as follows:

• the phrase “reference values” indicates one result - the virus was not detected;
• if the inscription reads “the result is positive,” then a virus of a high oncogenic type was detected in the biomaterial, and the risk of developing cervical cancer or other neoplasms is very high;
• the inscription “negative result” can be explained as follows: oncogenic types of viruses were not detected, but there is a possibility of infection with other types of HPV.

Survey results do not always contain reliable information. The human factor can play a cruel joke. The laboratory technician may incorrectly collect the material and then violate the conditions of its storage. There may be no result due to a small amount of virus that cannot be detected using this technique or using such equipment. There are other nuances.

Contamination of the material may cause false positive result. In any case, it is best to retake all tests after a certain period of time.

After conducting research to detect HPV in the body, the doctor can accurately determine its type and determine the danger it poses to health.

Basic methods for detecting the virus:

1. Analysis of venous blood to detect antibodies to HPV. This is the method early diagnosis. It is not highly accurate because it does not allow one to determine the type and amount of virus in the body.
2. PCR diagnostics based on performing a polymerase chain reaction to detect viral DNA. A common test to identify oncogenic types of papillomaviruses. It is important to follow the correct research technology, as there may be significant errors. Blood, mucous membrane swabs, urine or a small amount of amniotic fluid are suitable for analysis.
3. Digene research. To perform the test, a smear from the urethral or vaginal mucosa is used. Allows you to identify with high accuracy the type, oncogenicity and amount of the virus in the body. The method is expensive and has not yet found widespread use.
4. Colposcopy is a method of studying the structure of the cervix, as well as detecting papillomas.
5. Cytology. Analysis of a smear using a microscope, which reveals altered malignant cells.
6. Histology. Performed if necessary to confirm the presence of malignant cells. For this purpose, tissue samples are examined under a microscope.

The most accurate laboratory methods are PCR and Digene blood tests, which allow you to confirm the fact of infection in the early stages, as well as determine the type and amount of virus in the body.

A blood test for papillomavirus does not require complex preparatory measures.

• Blood is drawn on an empty stomach;
• The preferred time for taking the test is before 9 am;
• 3 days before blood sampling, you should stop drinking alcohol and spicy foods, unless provocation is required to activate the virus in the blood;
• for 3 days, limit the consumption of fatty and too salty foods;
• It is important to maintain a normal, habitual drinking regime - about two liters of water per day.
• it is advisable to refrain from eating 10 hours before the test;
• In one day, limit heavy physical activity and eliminate stress.

Only an experienced infectious disease doctor or gynecologist can decipher the PCR and Digene tests taken by people suspected of being infected with HPV.

Testing for HPV - human papillomavirus - involves conducting a study to identify the fact of infection, followed by treatment and observation. A woman may not know that a virus has entered her body.

Often the infection disappears after some time, but if the immune system is weakened, it begins to manifest itself as a serious illness. You can learn more about this by watching the video, and if you find a coincidence of symptoms, get tested.

The general name HPV hides more than a hundred pathogenic organisms that do not have a shell and contain DNA. They cause diseases of the mucous membranes, skin, and oncology in women and men. The cervix is ​​especially defenseless against them.

Oncological disease is most often caused by the first of them, although the latter 2 often cause a high risk of cervical diseases.

How can a woman prepare for HPV testing?

Before taking an HPV test, a woman needs preparation both in the form of hygiene procedures and compliance with certain conditions: absence of critical days; abstaining from sexual intercourse one day before visiting a doctor; refusal of tampons and vaginal pills.

HPV symptoms

All types of human papillomavirus cause the formation of warts, papillomas and genital warts on the skin. They are localized on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, and can also spread throughout the body.

Formations caused by low-carcinogenic strains are purely a cosmetic defect. Among the inconveniences they cause are burning and itching.

When formations are damaged, blood bleeds.

Very often the disease proceeds without visible symptoms. It happens that the virus shows external manifestations due to a rash on the skin or mucous membranes; bloody issues. During the examination, the doctor focuses on the following signs:

• the presence of cervical erosion;
• the presence of formations on the cervix;
• unusual discharge;
• burning;
• pain in the genital area.

The duration of the incubation period is the time from the moment of infection to the appearance of clinical signs- depends on several conditions. The first and one of the most important is the state of human immunity, the body’s ability to resist infection.

The second factor is the HPV genotype. So, after infection with HPV-6, 11, it takes from 3 weeks to 8 months until condylomas appear. Infection with HPV-16, 18 may not pose a threat of malignant degeneration of papillomas and the development of cervical cancer until 20–25 years of age.

Many are surprised to learn that the skin and genitals of almost 90% of adults are susceptible to HPV infection. Often the infection occurs without symptoms. If pointed papillomas appear in intimate places, papillae on the skin and mucous membranes, then they may be a manifestation of a hitherto inactive virus that has changed its status.

In many cases viral papilloma It is asymptomatic, does not appear externally and goes away on its own after some time. The degree of severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.

People discover a problem when papillomas appear on the body - small cone-shaped warts, which are considered symptoms of HPV. Almost always, when the body is infected, one can observe a decrease in immunity, a decline protective functions body, greater susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases.

Among women

HPV in women manifests itself in the form of condylomas - small pointed or flat bodily formations on the inside of the vagina and outer labia. Single or multiple warts may appear on different parts body: limbs, head, neck. They are mostly painless, small, and cause more psychological and aesthetic discomfort.

In men

In men, papillomas appear on the soles of the feet, hands, face and head. When infected dangerous virus papulosis of the penis and testicles is possible: it is yellow or pink papillomas that stand out slightly above the skin. Another unpleasant symptom HPV in men - Bowen's disease: red plaque-like formations, growths on the head of the penis.

How to donate blood for HPV

Certain rules also exist when taking a blood test from a vein:

• you need to take material for research only in the morning;
• Blood sampling is carried out strictly on an empty stomach, otherwise unreliable results may be obtained;
• approximately 3–4 days before taking the sample, you must avoid foods that can cause an allergic reaction.

An HPV test for oncogenic risk will allow timely identification of a potential threat to health and life. It is transmitted only one way - from person to person, taking root in the deep layers of the skin. A dangerous micropest multiplies in the upper layers of the epithelium, and it pathologically affects the mechanism cell division, which provokes the appearance of skin tumors.

Humanity should already remember that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and the likelihood of contracting it is constantly increasing. Papillomas and condylomas are only external signs of the disease. But its pathological oncological basis is not visible to the naked eye.

Only a qualitative examination can determine which virus causes the appearance of warts, papillomas or condylomas on the skin and mucous membranes. People often wonder whether they need to get tested for HPV. The answer is yes. After all, the virus can be transmitted from person to person in different ways:

• during unprotected sexual intercourse;
• in close contact of the skin and mucous membranes, which have small wounds and cracks, for example during kissing;
• during natural birth from mother to child;
• through domestic means due to non-compliance with personal hygiene rules - in the bathhouse, sauna, toilet, swimming pool.

Everyone should know from an early age that using other people’s personal hygiene items is strictly prohibited!

Virus in external environment does not live long, but a short time is enough for him to find a new shelter.

Scientists have found that infection with this disease does not depend on genetic characteristics. Only unprotected sex, pathological failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene and reduced immunity can cause the virus to successfully settle in the human body.

It should be remembered that HPV in women is the first cause of the most common cancer- cervical cancer. If there is a desire or indication for undergoing an examination, then a referral for tests is issued by the attending physician.

He decides which diagnostic method will be effective at this stage. There are several types of examinations that can detect the presence of human papillomavirus.

Most often, clinical manifestations of papillomatosis are pronounced. That's why an experienced doctor It is enough to examine the patient to understand that the virus is “raising its head.” Its type, that is, the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA chain, influences the choice of therapeutic methods. In this regard, the patient may be offered to undergo PCR diagnostics.

Another optional, but desirable analysis is a papilloma biopsy. This method consists of a histological examination of a sample of neoplasm tissue. The doctor will be sure that the tumor is safe, or, conversely, it will turn out that the papilloma is associated with a potential threat to the patient’s life.

The course of an infection such as papillomavirus is chronic and characterized by periodic relapses. In fact, it is not a disease, but sometimes it provokes dangerous pathologies.

A blood test for HPV is a necessary measure. Today, cancer is becoming more and more common.

Some strains of HPV can cause cancer. Accurate diagnosis will help you cope with the disease on time.

A blood test for HPV will help confirm or refute the diagnosis. Papillomavirus is a leader among infections that cause skin lesions.

Science knows more than 100 strains of HPV, of which a third can develop into oncology. Sometimes the disease is in the body, and the carrier of the virus is not aware of it.

You can find out about the presence of the disease if you donate blood for papillomavirus.

You can donate blood for papillomavirus at your own discretion, even without clinical manifestations HPV. But more often the doctor prescribes the test during the patient’s appointment if there is a suspicion of infection. HPV is dangerous due to its possible oncogenicity. The infection provokes benign and malignant tumors.

A test for the virus should definitely be done if any new growths appear on the skin.

• if the growth grows, changes, fluid is released from it, or erosion of the surface of the neoplasm is observed;
• if there is itching, pain, or any discomfort in the area of ​​the growth.

Women must donate blood for HPV if pointed growths appear in the vaginal and intimate areas. Condylomas are the most dangerous, since their appearance is provoked by oncogenic strains of HPV.

An HPV test (blood) will help determine the exact clinical diagnosis, the number of the infection strain and, accordingly, its risk of degeneration into cancer.

The blood that people donate for human papillomavirus allows one to accurately differentiate (distinguish) a growth on the skin from HPV from other skin diseases that do not have a viral component.

In order for the result to be reliable and informative, it is necessary not only to choose a good laboratory, but also to follow some rules:

• donate blood on an empty stomach;
• You can drink plain water, the results will not change;
• 2 days before the analysis, try to consume healthy food low fat;
• It is better if the blood is taken for analysis in the morning; the composition of the blood changes during the day, and all laboratory test standards are calculated for the morning hours;
• the day before the tests, try not to drink alcohol and avoid vigorous physical activity;

• It is necessary to refrain from smoking a couple of hours before the test;

The results of a blood test for HPV infection depend on the type of ELISA or PCR test, the period of infection, and the functioning of the immune system.

Blood is drawn from a vein in the treatment room. The nurse must wear medical gloves, and the syringes and materials used are disposable.

pay attention to treatment room, it must be kept absolutely clean. The patient enters the appointment wearing shoe covers.

If something bothers you, refuse to take the test in that particular place. Many infectious diseases are transmitted through blood.

If the rules for collecting blood for a blood test are not followed, this is fraught with complications. The patient may develop inflammatory and infectious ailments. Usually appear painful sensations in the arm, the temperature may rise, the puncture site turns red. If you have the slightest ailment, you should go to the doctor.

• The nurse is required to prepare a sterile syringe, a direction for analysis, and enter the patient’s data into a journal or computer.
• The patient is offered a chair. The hand is placed on the manipulation table. An oilcloth roller is placed under the elbow.

• Next, a tourniquet is applied.
• The site of the future puncture is treated with a swab moistened with alcohol.
• You should use your fist to improve blood circulation so that the vein fills as much as possible.
• The nurse makes a puncture and fills the syringe with blood.
• To prevent you from feeling bad, it is better to turn away at this moment.
• When the needle is removed from the vein, a cotton ball soaked in alcohol is simultaneously applied.
• You need to bend your arm at the elbow to prevent a subcutaneous hematoma from forming.
• If you feel unwell, your sister will provide appropriate assistance. (He will sit you on the couch and “give” ammonia.)

Testing women

The human papillomavirus poses a particular danger to women: they are more likely than men to become infected or become carriers of the virus. It is known that cervical cancer in 70% of cases is caused by HPV strains 16, 18 and 45.

The disease is usually detected during a gynecological examination, when the doctor notices papillomas, flat and genital warts. These formations often appear in the labia majora, labia minora, or on the cervix.

Often, an examination is enough for a doctor to identify genital warts by their specific form (they are also called anogenital warts), but sometimes more precise data is needed. It is important to determine what type of virus the outgrowths belong to, and for this it is necessary to take an HPV test in women, and sometimes more than one.

To conduct the study, usually women do not take blood, but a smear from the cervical canal. Besides general analyzes, there are special ones used for diagnosing cervical cancer:

• colposcopy;
• cytological examination.

Colposcopy is used to examine the cervix. Using a colposcope device, the doctor can examine in detail the condition of the mucous membrane of the vagina and uterus.

There is also an extended colposcopy procedure for an in-depth study of the organ. To make changes in the mucous membrane noticeable, the cervix is ​​treated with a solution of acetic acid and iodine. Typically, colposcopy is prescribed if a woman receives cytology results with suspicion of the presence of malignant cells.

If a man notices neoplasms on the skin or mucous membrane, he needs to contact one of the following doctors for examination:

• urologist;
• andrologist;
• dermatologist.

HPV testing in women is done using a smear taken from the cervical canal. How is analysis taken for laboratory and cytological studies? Here are the basic rules:

• The smear is taken using a disposable soft brush; in appearance it looks like a brush used to apply mascara.
• Before taking material for examination, it is necessary to blot the vagina from mucous secretions using a tampon or napkin.
• Using rotational movements, material is carefully extracted from the cervical canal of the uterine cavity, which is sent for examination. In some cities, a smear is still taken the old way, using a Volkmann spoon.
• Before placing the brush into a sterile test tube, an imprint is made on laboratory glass.
• The samples taken are sent to a virology laboratory.

Women should not ignore the disease under any circumstances, as this can result in the most irreparable consequences for them. Papillomavirus can cause:

• development of cancer;
• transmission of infection to a child during childbirth;
• contracting various types of infections.

HPV poses a particular danger to pregnant women, therefore, before planning the birth of a baby, you should be tested for the presence of the virus in the body. This test should not be performed during pregnancy.

If suspicious antibodies are detected, doctors recommend delaying conception. After complex treatment and re-taking the tests, it will be possible to return to the issue of childbirth again.

If symptoms of infection appear after conception, then treatment should be delayed until 28 weeks. It is at this time that the unborn baby will be ready for drug therapy.

It is always necessary to remember that it is better to prevent a disease at an early stage than to start it. HPV is no exception. An annual examination by a gynecologist, an ultrasound scan and a timely test for the human papillomavirus will save you from many problems.

The papilloma virus in women is detected by studying scrapings of the cervical canal. Special cytological brushes are used to collect material during the examination. In this case, smears are their prints, which are preserved after sampling in a nutrient medium.

Features of diagnosis in women

To avoid distorting the results, it is important to know how to prepare for the test and when to take it. Like many other studies women's health, HPV testing is carried out taking into account menstrual cycle. Preparing a woman involves, first of all, abstaining from sexual intercourse and the use of drugs that can distort the results of the study.

1. You cannot take a cytology test during menstruation or in the presence of inflammatory processes. You should refrain from sexual contact for 2 days; a similar rule applies to the use of vaginal creams, tampons and douching. It is better if the bath is replaced with a shower on preparation days. The smear should not be taken after colposcopy or gynecological examination. If these procedures have been completed, you should wait another 2 days before submitting.
2. When preparing for colposcopy, the same rules apply: the procedure is not done during menstruation, you need to give up sex, the use of tampons and douching 1-2 days before. This diagnostic method can be performed during pregnancy.
3. It is better to carry out any research no earlier than on the 3rd day of the cycle. It is better to discuss this issue with your doctor in each specific case.

A man’s preparation also includes abstaining from sexual intercourse 2 days before the test. If tissue samples are being taken, you should not urinate 2 hours before the test. On the eve of the study, you should refrain from water procedures and applications antiseptics personal hygiene.

When testing blood, preparation for donation in men and women is as follows:

• the test is taken on an empty stomach, at least 12 hours must have passed since the last meal;
• give up alcohol and unhealthy, fatty foods within 48 hours;
• donate blood better in the morning until its composition has changed;
• a few hours before the test, refrain from smoking;
• stop taking antiviral and antimicrobial drugs 10–15 days in advance (with the permission of the attending physician);
• give up heavy physical activity for 1 day.

Collecting blood, scrapings and tissue samples does not take much time, and the patient usually does not experience discomfort during the procedure.

The submitted material will be examined for up to two weeks, depending on the type of analysis. In the case of papillomavirus, timely research is literally life-saving important question. Everyone should know what an HPV test is.

So, the doctor ordered an HPV test. How is the analysis taken? Whatever the diagnostic method chosen by the doctor, it will be painless for the patient. Only slight discomfort may occur during some manipulations.

Why are test results important for the treatment of papillomatosis?

The human papillomavirus is undoubtedly very dangerous and insidious. But people should remember that HPV infection does not always lead to cancer.

You should also know that in some cases, infection occurs by a complex of viruses, and not by any one type. For reliable diagnosis, it must be carried out comprehensive examination, allowing you to make the most accurate diagnosis and choose a treatment method.

Treatment in women

For treatment of this disease a treatment system is used that suits the specific case. The results of the conducted studies are taken into account.

Often they resort to a destructive method of treatment, during which the external signs of the disease are eliminated. HPV is removed using laser treatment, cryodestruction, diathermoconization or amputation of the cervix.

The effectiveness of such therapy is up to 60%. The probability of recurrence of the disease is 50%.

Use of chemicals or medications makes it possible to fight other types of precancerous lesions caused by HPV. In such cases, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, excisional and laser surgery are used.

To avoid contracting the disease, you must follow the rules of prevention:

• avoid dampness and injury (to prevent infection from entering the body);
• maintain a high level of immunity;
• try to avoid various stressful situations as much as possible.