The human papillomavirus is very widespread. Seventy people out of every hundred are carriers of the infection, as a result of the appearance of neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes. Often the virus affects intimate areas. While the body successfully copes thanks to a strong immune system, many do not even suspect the presence of an infection. However, with a weakened state of the body, the papillomavirus infection passes from a latent to an active state. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of papillomavirus, you need to consult a doctor. A neglected infection requires the use of destructive methods and serious medical treatment.
What is HPV?
If antibodies against HPV are found in the blood, the doctor will explain what it is. The abbreviation means human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV.
This is an infectious disease transmitted by contact. Human papillomaviruses are divided into 27 species and more than 120 strains (or types), among which there are strains of high, medium, low risk of oncogenicity and non-oncogenic types.
How is HPV? A person develops skin neoplasms: warts, papillomas, condylomas. This is because the DNA of the virus is integrated into the DNA of the damaged cell, altering its functions. The process of division is accelerated, the characteristic growths of infection are formed, supplied with blood vessels.
The nature and location of the growths depend on the type of virus that has entered the body and the sites of damage. Benign neoplasms appear anywhere: in the mouth, nasopharynx, face, neck, armpits, internal and external organs of the genitourinary system. It is possible to become infected even by shaking hands with an infected carrier, especially if there is damage to the skin.
When infected after sexual contact, the patient may not detect neoplasms visually, however, itching, burning and discomfort in the area of the internal genital organs or rectum, mucous membranes or spots are also observed. Such symptoms are typical when papillomas appear on the surface of internal organs.
Where does the human papillomavirus come from?
HPV infection is primarily transmitted sexually, 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 the papillomavirus. The infection is also transmitted domestically. 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. And in the presence of microtraumas, they are able to penetrate the basal layers of the skin.
This viral disease is transmitted to the baby during delivery from an HPV-infected mother. The possibility of self-infection during shaving and epilation is not excluded.
Virus activation factors
Papillomavirus infection manifests in the form of growths in more than 3/5 of the adult population. Observations show that up to 80% of them recover without treatment within a year.
However, for some reason, the human papillomavirus remains in the body and becomes active. The main reason is the weakening of the immune system, because of which the body is not able to fight the virus.
Factors that reduce immune strengths include:
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- exhaustion from overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- prolonged use of certain medications;
- hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is dangerous papillomavirus
At the beginning of the development of the disease, many do not take the necessary measures, not realizing the seriousness of the situation, justifying themselves by the lack of time and postponing the visit to the doctor "for later". The consequences are coming. The virus continues to infect the cells, the growths increase in size, capture a large area of the skin, in some cases degenerate into oncology. A person starts to be treated when health problems become apparent, but by then the situation is already largely neglected. And all this time he's contagious.
How dangerous is the human papillomavirus, statistics show. In medical practice, cervical cancer in the absence of HPV does not occur. In most cases, the 16th and 18th type viruses are responsible for the development of oncology. But not all strains of HPV produce consequences in the form of malignant tumors.
Often, infection with other sexually transmitted diseases occurs simultaneously with HPV.
cancer risk
Papillomavirus infection is not a death sentence. There are non-oncogenic and oncogenic types of human papillomavirus. There are groups of 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 , 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51, 61, 72, 73) cancer risk. Furthermore, among the strains of high oncogenicity, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, tests are carried out first to determine the strain of the virus.
Impact on pregnancy
Women in a position who have been diagnosed with papillomavirus infection are concerned with the question of whether HPV is dangerous for a child. The virus is not able to penetrate the amniotic fluid and the placenta, so it does not pose any danger to the developing fetus.
However, during childbirth, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal will cause certain complications:
- Injury to the growths can lead to severe bleeding and reinfection of the mother's body.
- By direct contact with papillomas, a child becomes infected, which will subsequently lead to growths in the baby in the mouth, larynx or vulva.
Therefore, as a precautionary measure, couples planning a pregnancy are advised to get tested for HPV.
Papillomavirus symptoms and types of rashes
The appearance of warts, papillomas or condylomas on the skin and mucous membranes are external signs of the human papillomavirus.
A wart is a growth of hard, dry skin that looks like a lump the size of a pinhead or larger. Most often located in the area of the palms and soles of the feet. So-called plantar warts appear in places where shoes rub against the skin, especially with excessive sweating. Not all cases are associated with HPV infection.
Papillomas (from Latin papillo - "nipple") are benign growths on the skin in the form of a papilla. Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nasopharynx, bladder. This is a gentle leg training. The color varies from white to brown, but usually the papilloma is the color of the surrounding tissues. The growth is unique, sometimes an entire "colony" grows, similar to a rooster comb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papilloma, subdivided into flat and genital warts, observed mainly on the genitals, around the anus, on the oral mucosa. Also, in women, the virus usually manifests in Organs reproductive organs, but anal condylomatosis usually develops in men. 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 recommend that you immediately see a doctor.
Flat papillomas usually occur during adolescence. They do not differ in skin color, they form small groups.
In the case of the formation of growths on the surface of Organs 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, it will be a dermatologist, gynecologist, urologist or proctologist. If the presence of human papillomavirus is confirmed, an immunologist will participate in the treatment process.
Women with cervical (cervical) neoplasms should undergo a colposcopy and biopsy to determine the presence of HPV infection. During colposcopy, a test with clinical markers - acetic acid or Lugol's solution is performed. Uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium helps to recognize the human papillomavirus.
The smears are made for cytological examination, through which it is possible to detect atypical cells - reborn under the influence of the virus, and for histological examination. At the same time, a Digene test for oncogenicity is done.
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 identified.
A blood test is needed to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to cure human papillomavirus in active stage and moreover, is it possible to completely cure papillomavirus? Today, means have not yet been developed to guarantee absolute release from human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises whether it is necessary to treat HPV and whether it makes sense. Yes, it's necessary. If the human papillomavirus is not treated, it will infect other cells, contributing to the growth of neoplasms. Here is an example of an HPV treatment regimen:
- unwanted growths are removed;
- antiviral drugs, drugs that strengthen the immune system, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed.
Antivirals
Treatment of papillomavirus infection begins with eliminating the cause of the disease. First, a drug is prescribed that does not kill the microbe and does not allow the human papillomavirus to spread throughout the body.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor after determining the strain of the virus, taking into account the age and specifics of the patient's body.
The most effective treatment for human papillomavirus is with isoprinosine preparations, which block the synthesis of viral DNA.
Immunomodulators
The treatment of papillomavirus infection with the help of immunomodulators is to strengthen the immune system, as the body's resistance to viruses depends on it. An immunogram helps to prescribe 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 that cells secrete in response to the virus's attack, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce them in the right amount, then interferon preparations or interferon inducers - substances that stimulate the production of their own interferons are prescribed.
There are drugs that have antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
destructive methods
Treatment of papillomavirus with external manifestations must be treated with destructive methods, that is, the papilloma must be removed, as it is the focus of a viral infection. There are several methods for this:
- the laser is used to evaporate shallow growths, leaving virtually no traces;
- the cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electric knife burns the neoplasm;
- surgery is performed in case of severe overgrowth or suspected cancer.
However, the treatment of papillomavirus does not end there. To fight the infection, an integrated pharmacological approach is needed.
Application of local funds
How is human papillomavirus treated using local remedies? Although this approach has not been shown to be highly effective, as it is impossible to remove the human papillomavirus from the body in this way, papillomas are still treated with cauterizing and mummifying drugs.
For topical use, ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories of antiviral and anti-inflammatory action are used. The best option will help you choose the attending physician.
How effective is the treatment
Is it possible to cure HPV for good, and is HPV generally treated or not? So far, no tool has been developed to help get rid of the papillomavirus for good. The essence of treatment is to stop the development of the pathology, to save a person from neoplasms that interfere with normal life and to avoid as much as possible the occurrence of relapses, since the papilloma virus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases, patients were 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 every person's personal responsibility.
First, it is important to have a sexual partner. Using condoms when in contact with a carrier of the virus is often not enough. Studies prove the relationship between frequent changes of partner, HPV disease and the development of cervical cancer in women. If an infection is detected, both sexual partners should be examined and treated to prevent reinfection.
A healthy and conscious 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 the human papillomavirus was developed in America. The vaccine is registered in many countries around the world.
Vaccination protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 - the most oncogenic strains. The course includes three vaccines. The second is done in two months. Four months later, a third.
Several studies have shown that the vaccine is nearly 100% effective if the person is not infected with the virus prior to vaccination. Immunization is carried out among adolescents aged 10 to 12 years. Vaccination against HPV is a method of prevention, so it is done before the start of sexual activity. Once infected, it is ineffective. Also vaccinate adults, but not infected with HPV.