When using an HPV collection kit, the following precautions should be noted:

I. Before Sample Collection

1. Patient Preparation
   • Time Selection
     For female cervical sample collection, it is best to perform it during non – menstrual periods. Menstruation may interfere with the test results. Menstrual blood contains various cellular components and substances, which may cause false – positive HPV virus detection in the sample or affect the observation of cell morphology. It is recommended to collect samples 3 – 7 days after the end of menstruation. During this period, cervical secretions are relatively scarce, which is conducive to obtaining high – quality cervical cell samples.
   • Cleaning Precautions
     Before sample collection, excessive vaginal cleaning should be avoided. Over – cleaning may wash away the exfoliated cells at the cervix, thus affecting the quality of the sample. Generally, it is recommended to simply clean the vulva with clean water 1 – 2 days before collection. Avoid using vaginal douches, suppositories, or irritating cleaning products.
   • Sexual Intercourse Restriction
     To ensure the accuracy of the test results, patients are usually required to avoid sexual intercourse 24 – 48 hours before sample collection. Sexual intercourse may introduce foreign cells or substances into the vagina, affecting the detection of HPV in the sample.
2. Check the Integrity and Expiry Date of the Kit
   Before using the HPV collection kit, carefully check the integrity of the kit. Ensure that the sampling tools (such as sampling brushes, swabs, etc.) are not damaged, the container of the preservation solution is well – sealed, and there is no leakage. Any damage may lead to sample contamination or improper preservation. At the same time, check the expiration date of the kit. Using an expired kit may result in inaccurate test results due to reagent failure or other reasons.

II. During Sample Collection

1. Correct Sampling Operation (Taking Cervical Sampling as an Example)
   • Posture and Position
     The patient usually needs to assume the lithotomy position, which can fully expose the cervix for easy sampling. When operating, medical staff should ensure that the sampling brush can accurately contact the cervix and endocervical canal. The sampling brush should be gently inserted into the endocervical canal, with an insertion depth of generally about 1 – 1.5 cm. Avoid inserting it too deep or too shallow. Inserting too deep may damage the uterine tissue, while inserting too shallow may not obtain enough endocervical cells.
   • Rotating Action
     After inserting the sampling brush to the appropriate depth, it needs to be gently rotated 3 – 5 times in the endocervical canal to ensure that a sufficient number of cervical cells can be collected. During the rotation process, the action should be gentle and uniform to avoid excessive force, which may cause cervical bleeding or cell damage. If a small amount of bleeding occurs during sampling, it is usually due to a slight abrasion of the cervical mucosa. This is usually temporary, but if the bleeding is severe, the operation should be stopped immediately, and corresponding hemostatic measures should be taken.
   • Sampling of Other Sites (such as Urethra, Warts, etc.)
     When collecting male urethral samples, pay attention to the appropriate insertion depth of the swab to avoid damaging the urethral mucosa. For wart tissue sampling, ensure that enough tissue is obtained from the typical parts of the wart (such as the base or surface), and avoid collecting surrounding normal tissue to prevent interference with the test results.
2. Prevent Sample Contamination
   During the entire sampling process, strict aseptic operation principles should be followed. Medical staff should wear sterile gloves, and the sampling tools should not come into contact with non – sampling parts, such as other mucosal surfaces, clothing, or the surrounding environment. If the sampling tool is contaminated, it may introduce other microorganisms or impurities, affecting the accuracy of HPV detection. For example, when collecting cervical samples, the sampling brush should not touch the vaginal wall to avoid mixing the normal flora or other substances in the vagina into the sample.

III. After Sample Collection

1. Sample Preservation and Transportation
   • Timely Preservation
     The collected sample should be immediately placed in the supporting preservation solution. The function of the preservation solution is to maintain the activity and integrity of the cells in the sample, preventing cell rupture or virus inactivation. Ensure that the sample is completely immersed in the preservation solution, and tightly close the container lid to prevent leakage of the preservation solution.
   • Appropriate Transportation Conditions
     During transportation, the sample should be maintained in an appropriate temperature environment. Generally, HPV samples should be transported at low temperature (2 – 8°C), avoiding high temperatures, severe vibrations, or long – term exposure to sunlight. If the transportation conditions are improper, it may lead to cell death or virus structure damage in the sample, thus affecting the test results.
2. Sample Labeling and Recording
   Each sample should be clearly labeled, including the patient’s basic information (name, age, gender, etc.), sampling date, sampling site, etc. Accurate recording helps in the accurate identification and processing of the sample during the laboratory testing process. At the same time, ensure that the label will not become blurred or lost due to the preservation solution or the transportation process. Waterproof and abrasion – resistant labels or markers can be used for labeling.