Human papillomavirus is very common. Seventy out of a hundred people are carriers of the infection, as a result of which neoplasms are formed on the skin and mucous membranes. Often the virus affects intimate areas. Many people do not even suspect the presence of the infection, although it is successfully coped with thanks to the body's strong immune system. However, with a weakened state of the body, papillomavirus infection goes from a latent state to an active state. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, with the slightest suspicion of papillomavirus, you should consult a doctor. A neglected infection requires the use of destructive methods and serious medical treatment.
What is HPV?
If antibodies against HPV are detected in the blood, the doctor will explain what it is. The abbreviation stands for human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV.
It is an infectious disease transmitted through contact. Human papillomaviruses are divided into 27 species and more than 120 strains (or types), including high, medium, low oncogenic risk, and non-oncogenic types.
What does HPV look like? A person develops skin neoplasms: warts, papillomas, condylomas. This is due to the fact that the DNA of the virus integrates into the DNA of the damaged cell and changes its functions. The process of division is accelerated, growths characteristic of infection are formed, supplied with blood vessels.
The nature and localization of the growths depends on the type of virus entering the body and the places of damage. Benign neoplasms appear everywhere: in the mouth, nasopharynx, face, neck, armpits, internal and external organs of the genitourinary system. It is possible to get infected even when shaking hands with an infectious carrier, especially when the skin is damaged.
When infected after sexual intercourse, the patient cannot visually detect neoplasms, but itching, burning and discomfort, mucous membrane or spots are also observed in the internal genital organs or rectum. Such symptoms are characteristic when papillomas appear on the surface of internal organs.
Where does the human papillomavirus come from?
HPV infection is mainly sexually transmitted, so those who frequently change sexual partners are more likely to be infected. But even with fidelity to a person, if he is a carrier of HPV, there will be constant interinfection.
There are other reasons for the appearance of papillomavirus. The infection is also transmitted by household means. Viral agents can remain for a long time on wet surfaces in public places such as swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms, from where they reach the epithelium. In case of microtraumas, they can penetrate the basal layers of the skin.
This viral disease is transmitted from a mother infected with HPV to her baby during childbirth. The possibility of self-infection during shaving and epilation is not excluded.
Virus activation factors
Papillomavirus infection manifests itself in the form of growths in more than 3/5 of the adult population. Observations show that up to 80% of them recover within a year without treatment.
But for some reason, the human papillomavirus remains in the body and becomes active. The main reason is the weakening of the immune system, so the body cannot fight the virus.
Factors that reduce immune forces include:
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- exhaustion due to overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- long-term use of certain drugs;
- hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is papillomavirus dangerous?
At the beginning of the development of the disease, many people do not take the necessary measures without realizing the seriousness of the situation, justify themselves with a lack of time and postpone a visit to the doctor "for later". Results are coming. The virus continues to infect cells, the growths increase in size, occupy a large area of the skin, and in some cases turn into oncology. A person begins to be treated when health problems appear, but by then the condition is already largely ignored. And all the while, it's contagious.
Statistics show how dangerous human papillomavirus is. In medical practice, cervical cancer does not occur in the absence of HPV. In most cases, viruses of type 16 and 18 are responsible for the development of oncology. However, not all HPV strains result in malignant tumors.
Often, infection with other sexually transmitted diseases occurs at the same time as HPV.
cancer risk
Papillomavirus infection is not a death sentence. There are non-oncogenic and oncogenic types of human papillomavirus. There are high (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 50, 59, 64, 68, 70), medium (HPV 30, 35, 45, 52, 53, 56, 58) and low (HPV 3) groups. , 6 , 11, 13, 32, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51, 61, 72, 73) cancer risk. Moreover, among highly oncogenic strains, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, first of all, examinations are carried out to determine the strain of the virus.
Effects on pregnancy
Women who have been diagnosed with papillomavirus infection are concerned about the question of whether HPV is dangerous for the child. The virus cannot penetrate the amniotic fluid and the placenta, so it does not pose any threat to the development of the fetus.
However, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal during childbirth will cause certain complications:
- Damage to growths can cause heavy bleeding and re-infection of the mother's body.
- A child is infected by direct contact with papilloma, which will later cause the baby to grow in the mouth, larynx or vulva.
Therefore, as a precaution, couples planning pregnancy are advised to undergo an HPV test.
Symptoms of papillomavirus and types of rashes
The appearance of warts, papillomas or condylomas on the skin and mucous membranes are external signs of human papillomavirus.
A wart is a hard, dry skin growth that looks like a pinhead or larger nodule. It is most often located in the palm and heel area. The so-called plantar warts appear where the shoes rub the skin, especially with excessive sweating. Not all cases are related to HPV infection.
Papillomas (Latin papillo - "nipple") are benign papilla-shaped tumors on the skin. It is formed in the skin and mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, and bladder. This is a soft formation on the leg. The color varies from white to brown, but usually the papilloma has the color of the surrounding tissues. Growth is solitary, sometimes a whole "colony" grows, similar to cock's comb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papillomas divided into flat and genital warts, mainly observed in the genitals, around the anus, on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Moreover, in women, the virus usually manifests itself in the reproductive organs, but men often develop anal condylomatosis. The appearance of papillomas or warts are clear signs of papillomavirus.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus are associated with the appearance of neoplasms and appear within two to three months after infection. If you find them, we advise you to consult a doctor immediately.
Flat papillomas usually occur during adolescence. They do not differ from the skin in terms of color, they form small groups.
In case of formation of growths on the surface of internal organs, there are unpleasant sensations of a foreign body, burning and itching, discharge of blood or ichor.
Diagnostic methods
When warts, papillomas or condylomas appear, first of all, you should consult a doctor for a clinical examination. Depending on the location of the growths, there will be a dermatologist, gynecologist, urologist or proctologist. If the presence of human papillomavirus is confirmed, an immunologist will be involved in the treatment process.
Women with cervical neoplasms should undergo colposcopy and biopsy to determine the presence of HPV infection. During colposcopy, a test is performed using clinical markers - acetic acid or Lugol's solution. Uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium helps to recognize the human papillomavirus.
A smear is taken for cytological examination, through which it is possible to detect atypical cells - reborn under the influence of the virus and their histological examination. At the same time, the Digene test for oncogenicity is performed.
An important role in the diagnosis of HPV is played by the PCR method (polymerase chain reaction), thanks to which the type of virus can be determined.
A blood test is required to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to treat human papillomavirus in the active stage and, moreover, is it possible to completely cure papillomavirus? Today, no means have been developed that guarantee absolute relief from human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises, is it necessary to treat HPV and does it make sense? Yes, it is necessary. If the human papillomavirus is not treated, it will infect other cells and contribute to the growth of neoplasms. An example of HPV treatment:
- unwanted growths are removed;
- Antiviral drugs, drugs that strengthen the immune system, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed.
Antiviral drugs
Treatment of papillomavirus infection begins with the elimination of the cause of the disease. First of all, a drug is prescribed that does not kill the germ and does not allow the human papillomavirus to spread further throughout the body.
Treatment is prescribed by the doctor after determining the strain of the virus, taking into account the patient's age and body characteristics.
The most effective treatment of human papillomavirus is carried out with isoprinocin drugs, which block the synthesis of viral DNA.
Immunomodulators
Treatment of papillomavirus infection with the help of immunomodulators is to strengthen the immune system, because the body's resistance to viruses depends on it. The immunogram helps to determine the correct drug treatment, thanks to which the immune status is determined, after which the appropriate drug is selected.
To get rid of the human papillomavirus, interferons, proteins secreted by cells in response to the attack of the virus, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce them in the required amount, interferon drugs or interferon inducers are prescribed - substances that stimulate the production of its own interferons.
There are drugs that have both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
Destructive methods
Treatment of papillomavirus with external manifestations should be treated with destructive methods, that is, the papilloma should be removed as it is the focus of the viral infection. There are various methods for this:
- the laser is used to vaporize shallow growths, leaving almost no trace;
- cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electroknife burns the neoplasm;
- surgery is performed in case of heavy growth or suspicion of cancer.
However, the treatment of papillomavirus does not end there. An integrated pharmacological approach is needed to fight the infection.
Application of local funds
How is human papillomavirus treated with local remedies? Although this approach has not proven to be highly effective, since it is not possible to remove the human papillomavirus from the body in this way, papilloma is still treated with cauterizing and embalming drugs.
Ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects are used for local use. The best option will help to choose the participating doctor.
How effective is the treatment?
Is it possible to cure HPV forever and is HPV generally curable or not? So far, no means have been developed to get rid of papillomavirus forever. The essence of treatment is to stop the development of pathology, to save a person from neoplasms that interfere with normal life, and to prevent relapses as much as possible because the papilloma virus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases, patients have been able to completely defeat the infection. This result is influenced by many individual factors, including the general condition of the body.
Prevention of papillomavirus infection
Protecting yourself from HPV infection is everyone's personal responsibility.
First of all, it is important to have a sexual partner. When in contact with a virus carrier, using a condom is often not enough. Studies have proven a link between frequent partner changes, HPV disease and the development of cervical cancer in women. If infection is detected, both sexual partners should be examined and treated to prevent re-infection.
A conscious healthy lifestyle will contribute to the general strengthening of the body, which will help to cope with the virus.
Vaccination
Papillomavirus infection, the ease of its transmission and spread, the high risk of oncogenicity - all this seriously worries doctors. In 2006, a vaccine against human papillomavirus was developed in America. The vaccine is registered in many countries of the world.
The vaccine protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 - the most oncogenic strains. The course includes three vaccinations. The second is done within two months. The third after four months.
Several studies have shown that the vaccine is almost 100% effective if the person is not infected with the virus before vaccination. Vaccination is carried out among adolescents aged 10-12 years. The HPV vaccine is a preventive method, so it is done before sexual activity begins. Once infected, it is ineffective. Vaccinate adults too, but HPV infection.