hi,

just wondering how much a HPV test for females (is it a pap test that they do?) costs generally, and how long it takes to get the results in a private hospital in bangkok?

also, how effective is it in detecting HPV? Are they able to tell if a female has it straight away? Or is there some chance of it going undetected

thanks

It is not the same as a Pap smear, altho a Pap or thin prep will often show evidence of HPV disease if present. Pap is specifcally to screen for cervical cancer. The two tests can be done at the same time and in fact it is npw recommeneded that women over 30 routinely get an HPV test along with their Pap. Likewise, it makes sense to do a Pap whenever doing an HPV test since, if the HPV tests is positive, a pap will be necessary anyhow, and management will depend upon the combined findings of the HPV test and the Pap.

Cost: 3,960 for the HPV, 1,760 for Pap at BNH (from their website through the check-up center). I would expect the other large private hospitals to be similiar. As to time, I would expect about the same turn-around as for a Pap smear e.g. maybe a week.

Both tests are done by gently scraping cells from the cervix.