Human papillomavirus is very common. Seventy people out of a hundred are carriers of the infection, as a result of which neoplasms appear on the skin and mucous membranes. Often the virus affects intimate areas. While the body copes successfully 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 state to an active state. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of papillomavirus, you should see a doctor. A neglected infection requires the use of destructive methods and serious medical treatment.
What is HPV?
If antibodies to HPV are found in the blood, the doctor will explain what it is. The abbreviation stands for human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The name in English is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV.
This is an infectious disease that is transmitted by contact. Human papillomaviruses are divided into 27 types and more than 120 strains (or types), among which there are strains with high, medium, low risk of oncogenicity 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, changing its functions. The division process is accelerated, growths characteristic of the infection are formed, supplied with blood vessels.
The nature and localization of growths depend on the type of virus that has entered the body and on the sites of damage. Benign neoplasms appear everywhere: in the mouth, nasopharynx, face, neck, armpit, internal and external organs of the genitourinary system. It is possible to get infected even when you shake hands with a carrier of the infection, especially if there is damage to the skin.
When infected after sexual contact, the patient may not visually detect neoplasms, however, itching, burning and discomfort in the area of internal genital organs or rectum, mucosa or spots are also observed. Such symptoms are typical when papillomas appear on the surface of internal organs.
Where does human papillomavirus come from?
HPV infection is mainly 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 cross-infection.
There are other reasons for the appearance of papillomavirus. The infection is also transmitted through the household route. Viral agents can remain for a long time on wet surfaces in public places, such as swimming pools, saunas, baths, 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 child during birth from a mother infected with HPV. 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 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, due to which the body is unable to fight against the virus.
Factors that reduce immune forces include:
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- exhaustion as a result of overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- long-term use of certain drugs;
- hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is the dangerous papillomavirus?
At the beginning of the development of the disease, many do not take appropriate measures, not understanding the seriousness of the situation, excuse themselves with the lack of time and postpone the visit to the doctor "for later". The consequences are coming. The virus continues to infect cells, growths increase in size, occupy a large area of the skin, in some cases degenerate into oncology. A person begins to be treated when health problems become apparent, but by that time the situation is already very neglected. And all this time he is contagious.
Statistics show how dangerous the human papillomavirus is. In medical practice, cervical cancer in the absence of HPV does not appear. In most cases, viruses of type 16 and 18 are responsible for the development of oncology. But not all types 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 high (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 50, 59, 64, 68, 70), medium (HPV 30, 35, 45, 52, 53, 56, 58) and low (HPV3 , 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51, 61, 72, 73) cancer risk. Moreover, among strains with high oncogenicity, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, first of all examinations are done to determine the type of virus.
Effect on pregnancy
Women in a position who have been diagnosed with papillomavirus infection are concerned about 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 risk to the development of the fetus.
However, during childbirth, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal will cause some complications:
- Injury to growths can lead to heavy bleeding and re-infection of the mother's body.
- From direct contact with papillomas, a child becomes infected, which will then lead to growths in the baby's mouth, larynx or vulva.
Therefore, as a precaution, couples planning a pregnancy are advised to take the 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 growth on the skin that looks like a nodule the size of a pinhead or larger. It is most often located in the area of the palms and soles. The 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 the Latin papillo - "nipple") are benign tumors on the skin in the form of a papilla. It forms on the skin and mucous membrane of the mouth, nasopharynx, bladder. This is a soft standing formation. The color varies from white to brown, but usually the papilloma has the color of the surrounding tissue. The growth is single, sometimes a whole "colony" grows, similar to a turkey's comb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papillomas, divided into flat warts and genital warts, observed mainly in the genitals, around the anus, on the mucous membrane of the mouth. Moreover, in women, the virus usually manifests itself in the reproductive organs, but anal condylomatosis often 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 consult a doctor.
Flat papillomas usually appear during adolescence. They do not differ in color from the skin, they form small groups.
In the case of the formation of growths on the surface of internal organs, there is an unpleasant feeling of a foreign body, burning and itching, bleeding or itching.
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 neoplasia (on the cervix) should undergo a colposcopy and biopsy to determine the presence of HPV infection. During colposcopy, a test is done using clinical markers - acetic acid or Lugol's solution. The uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium helps to recognize the human papillomavirus.
Stains are taken for cytological examination, through which it is possible to detect atypical cells - regenerated under the influence of the virus and histological examination. At the same time, a 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 identified.
A blood test is required to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to cure the human papillomavirus in the active phase and, moreover, is it possible to completely cure the papillomavirus? Today, no means have yet been developed that guarantee absolute freedom from human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises whether HPV treatment is necessary and whether it makes sense. Yes, it is 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.
Antiviral
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 microbe and does not allow the further spread of the human papillomavirus throughout the body.
The treatment is prescribed by the doctor after determining the type of virus, taking into account the age and specifics of the patient's body.
The most effective treatment for human papillomavirus is carried out with isoprinosine preparations, which block the synthesis of viral DNA.
Immunomodulators
Treatment of papillomavirus infection with the help of immunomodulators is to strengthen the immune system, since the body's resistance to viruses depends on it. An immunogram helps to prescribe the right drug treatment, thanks to which the immune status is determined, after which the right 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, interferon preparations or interferon inducers are prescribed - substances that stimulate the production of their own interferons.
There are drugs that have 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 a viral infection. There are different methods for this:
- the laser is used to vaporize shallow growths, leaving virtually no trace;
- the cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- electrocautery burns neoplasia;
- surgery is performed in case of severe excess growth or suspected cancer.
However, the treatment of papillomavirus does not end there. To combat 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 proven to be very effective, because in this way it is impossible to remove the human papillomavirus from the body, papillomas are still treated with cauterizing drugs and mummification.
For local use, ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories with antiviral and anti-inflammatory action are used. The best option will help you choose the participating doctor.
How effective is the treatment?
Is it possible to cure HPV permanently and is HPV generally treatable or not? So far, no tool has been developed to help eliminate the papillomavirus permanently. The essence of treatment is to stop the development of pathology, save a person from neoplasms that interfere with normal life and prevent the occurrence of relapses as much as possible, since the papilloma virus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases, patients managed to completely overcome the infection. This result is influenced by many individual factors, including the general condition of the body.
Prevention of papillomavirus infection
Protection against HPV infection is the personal responsibility of each person.
First of all, it is important to have a sexual partner. Using a condom when in contact with a virus carrier is often not enough. Studies have proven the link 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 avoid re-infection.
A conscious healthy lifestyle will contribute to the overall strengthening of the body, which will help to cope with the virus.
vaccinations
Papillomavirus infection, the ease of its transmission and spread, the high risk of oncogenicity - all this seriously worries doctors. In 2006, a human papillomavirus vaccine was developed in America. The vaccine is registered in many countries of the world.
Vaccination protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 - the most oncogenic strains. The course includes three vaccines. The second one takes place in two months. Four months later, a third.
A number of studies have shown that the vaccine is almost 100% effective if the person was not infected with the virus before vaccination. Immunization is carried out in adolescents 10-12 years old. Vaccination against HPV is a prevention method, so it is done before starting sexual activity. Once infected, it is ineffective. Vaccinate adults too, but not infected with HPV.