Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Test

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• The use of douches, tampons, and vaginal creams or vaginal medicines within 48 hours before the test.
• A cervical cell sample that is too small.
• Your Pap smear shows abnormal cells that are already known to be caused by a high-risk type of HPV.

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Author:	Carrie Henley Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: October 6, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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