Human papillomavirus is very widespread. Seventy out of a hundred people are carriers of the infection, which is why 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 papilloma virus infection goes from a latent state to an active one. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of papilloma virus, it is necessary to visit a doctor. A neglected infection requires the use of destructive methods and serious medical treatment.
What is HPV?
If HPV antibodies are found in the blood, the doctor will explain what it is. It stands for human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated 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.
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 is integrated into the DNA of the damaged cell, changing its functions. The process of division is accelerated, outgrowths characteristic of infection are formed, supplied with blood vessels.
The nature and localization of growths depend on the type of virus that entered the body and the places 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 get infected even when handling an infected person, especially if there is damage to the skin.
When infected after sexual contact, the patient may not visually detect neoplasms, but itching, burning and discomfort in the area of the internal genital organs or rectum, mucous membranes or spots are also noted. Such symptoms are typical when papillomas appear on the surface of internal organs.
Where does 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 loyalty to one 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 home. 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 microtrauma, they are able to penetrate the basal layers of the skin.
This viral disease is transmitted to the baby during childbirth from a mother infected with HPV. The possibility of self-infection during shaving and epilation is not excluded.
Virus activation factors
Papilloma virus infection manifests itself in the form of growths in more than 3/5 of the adult population. Observations show that as many as 80% of them recover without treatment within a year.
However, for some reason, the human papilloma virus 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 the virus.
Factors that reduce immune strength 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 realizing the seriousness of the situation, justifying the lack of time and postponing a visit to the doctor "for later". Consequences are coming. The virus continues to infect the cells, growths increase, cover a large area of the skin, and in some cases degenerate into oncology. A person begins to receive treatment when health problems arise, but by then the situation is already very neglected. And all this time it's contagious.
Statistics show how dangerous the human papillomavirus is. In medical practice, cervical cancer in the absence of HPV does not occur. In most cases, viruses of type 16 and 18 are responsible for the development of oncology. But not all strains of HPV cause consequences in the form of malignant tumors.
Often infection with other sexually transmitted diseases occurs simultaneously with HPV.
cancer risk
Papilloma virus infection is not a death sentence. There are non-oncogenic and oncogenic types of human papillomavirus. There are groups with 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. Moreover, among highly oncogenic strains, HPV-16 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.
Effect on pregnancy
Women in a position who have been diagnosed with a papilloma virus infection are concerned about the question of whether HPV is dangerous for the child. The virus is not able to penetrate the amniotic fluid and the placenta, so it does not pose any danger to the development of the fetus.
However, during childbirth, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal will cause certain complications:
- Injury to growths can lead to heavy bleeding and re-infection of the mother's organism.
- By direct contact with papillomas, the child becomes infected, which will then lead to growths on the baby in the mouth, larynx or vulva.
Therefore, as a precaution, couples planning to become pregnant are advised to get tested for HPV.
Symptoms of papillomavirus and types of rash
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 lump the size of a pinhead or larger. It is most often found in the area of the palms and soles. So-called plantar warts appear in places where shoes rub the skin, especially with excessive sweating. Not all cases are associated with HPV infection.
Papillomas (from the Latin papillo - "wart") are benign papilla-shaped skin tumors. It occurs on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, 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 tissue. The growth is individual, sometimes a whole "colony" grows, similar to a rooster's head or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papilloma, divided into flat and genital warts, which are mainly observed on the genitals, around the anus, on the oral mucosa. Moreover, in women, the virus usually manifests itself on the reproductive organs, but anal condylomatosis often develops in men. The appearance of papillomas or warts are clear signs of the papilloma virus.
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 consult a doctor immediately.
Squamous papillomas usually appear during adolescence. They do not differ in color from the skin, they form small groups.
In the case of formation of growths on the surface of internal organs, unpleasant sensations of a foreign body, burning and itching, blood discharge or stomach pain occur.
Diagnostic methods
When warts, papillomas or condylomas appear, the first thing to do is consult a doctor for a clinical examination. Depending on the location of 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 neoplasms must undergo colposcopy and biopsy to determine the presence of HPV infection. During colposcopy, the examination is performed with clinical markers - acetic acid or Lugol's solution. Uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium helps to recognize the human papillomavirus.
Swabs 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, the Digene oncogenicity test 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 necessary to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to cure the human papilloma virus in the active phase and, besides, is it possible to cure the papilloma virus completely? Today, no tool has been developed that guarantees absolute freedom from human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises whether it is necessary to treat HPV 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.
Antiviruses
Treatment of papillomavirus infection begins with the removal of the cause of the disease. First of all, a drug is prescribed that does not kill microbes and does not allow the human papilloma virus 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 isoprinosine preparations that block the synthesis of viral DNA.
Immunomodulators
Treatment of papilloma virus 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 in prescribing 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 virus attack, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce them in an adequate amount, interferon preparations 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 papilloma virus with external manifestations must be treated with destructive methods, that is, remove the papilloma, because it is the focus of the viral infection. There are different methods for this:
- the laser is used to vaporize shallow growths, leaving almost no traces;
- the cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electrocution burns the neoplasm;
- surgery is performed in case of severe overgrowth or suspected 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 topical medications? Although this approach has not proven to be highly effective, as it is impossible to remove the human papilloma virus from the body in this way, papillomas are still treated with cauterization and mummification drugs.
Ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects are used for local application. The best option will help you choose the attending physician.
How effective the treatment is
Is it possible to cure HPV forever and in general is HPV curable or not? So far, no tool has been developed to help 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 recurrence as much as possible, because the papilloma virus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases, patients have managed to completely defeat the infection. This result is influenced by many individual factors, including the general condition of the organism.
Prevention of papilloma virus infection
Protection against HPV infection is the personal responsibility of each person.
First of all, it is important to have one sexual partner. Using a condom in contact with a virus carrier is often not enough. Research has proven the connection between frequent changes of partners, 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 organism, which will help in dealing with the virus.
Vaccination
Papilloma virus infection, ease of its transmission and spread, 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.
Vaccination protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 - the most oncogenic strains. The course includes three vaccinations. The second one is being done in two months. Four months later, the third.
Numerous 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 among adolescents aged 10-12 years. Vaccination against HPV is a method of prevention, so it is done before starting sexual activity. Once infected, it is ineffective. Also vaccinate adults, but not infected with HPV.