Can genital HPV infection be tested for?

HPV testing is part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. If a woman’s cervical screening result shows changes in the cells of the cervix or mild abnormalities (called borderline change or low grade (dyskaryosis), an HPV test will be carried out.

There is no blood test for HPV.

In men, there’s currently no reliable test for HPV infection and it's often very difficult to diagnose as there are no symptoms of high-risk HPV. Some people who are known to be at a high risk of having anal HPV and of developing anal cancer may be offered an anal smear.

Genital warts are a sign of infection with low-risk types of HPV and can be diagnosed in men as well as women.

Cervical screening test results

If your cervical screening test shows changes in the cells of your cervix, the results may be reported as cell changes or abnormal cells (dyskaryosis) and you’ll be also be tested for high-risk HPV infection. The same sample of cells can be used so you don’t need to have another sample taken.

Only 15-20% of women with borderline change or low grade cell changes will need treatment. The HPV test helps to identify which women with borderline changes or low grade dyskaryosis may need treatment.

If your cervical screening test result shows high-grade dyskaryosis (moderate or severe), you will be referred for a colposcopy examination. This is a way of looking closely at your cervix to see if you need treatment. Read more information about colposcopy.

HPV test results

If you have borderline change or low-grade dyskaryosis test results, and no evidence of high-risk HPV infection, you’re very unlikely to develop cervical cancer and can continue with routine screening every three or five years, depending on your age.

If your HPV test result shows you have high-risk HPV infection, it means that your risk of developing cancer is greater than if the test result was negative. However, only a tiny proportion of such infections develop into cancers. Regular cervical screening can prevent cancers developing

You'll be invited to go for a colposcopy examination to see if you need treatment. For more information, see What if my cervical screening test shows high-risk HPV infection?

Read the answers to more questions about sexual health.

Further information:

• What is HPV?
• Can genital HPV infection be prevented?
• Can genital HPV infection be treated?
• HPV vaccination
• Cancer of the cervix
• Cervical screening test
• Sexually transmitted infections