I have had HPV for 2 years and my doctor has never mentioned what strain it is or any initiative to determine it. Is knowing the strain something that can be easily determined and how?

Hello lee123

I am sorry your post was missed.

Exposure to human papilloma virus (HPV) can be measured by testing the blood (serum) for antibodies to the viral capsule or by testing actual tissue such as cells from a biopsy for viral DNA fragments. This latter test is known as Viratype. It is more commercially available than the blood antibody testing, but this is a rapidly changing field so you must check as to which tests are locally available.

Since any test for HPV subtype is limited to only that subtype or group of subtypes, it will miss a certain number of HPV infections. The combinations that have been screened for often include the most common types associated with malignancy. In general, positives are positive, i.e., there are very few false positive tests. If you are tested positive for say type 16, 18 HPV, then that result is probably 95% certain. The opposite is not true, however. If the test is negative, you could have been exposed to some other type of untested HPV type.

Antibodies, especially those called IgG antibodies, are manufactured by the body for a very long time after exposure to HPV. Gradually, over decades they may lessen in amount to undetectable levels, but they may also increase with each repeat exposure. The antibodies indicate exposure in the past to HPV and since the virus particles can stay forever in tissue, it very likely means there are some virus cells of that type still present in the body somewhere.

So a positive blood titer for an HPV type only means exposure at sometime in the past and is not as specific. It does not necessarily mean that an abnormal biopsy is due to the type although it may be. Also, if 60-70% of adult females have positive titers to the high risk HPV types, it is almost impossible to know what action to take if your titer is positive except that be more vigilant and have regular PAP check ups. There is no medical treatment for HPV. The only treatment is to remove cells in which the virus has caused some visible changes. The virus lies dormant in many cells, however, so there no way to totally rid the body of the virus or at least to be sure that you have excised all affected cells.

It is important not to become overly concerned about having manifestations of the HPV virus, but to just be vigilant. Hopefuly, the new anti-HPV vaccines wil reduce the number of young people catching this viral infection.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod