The human papilloma virus is very widespread. Seventy out of a hundred people are carriers of the infection, as a result of which neoplasms appear on the skin and mucous membranes. The virus often affects the intimate area. While the body successfully copes with this thanks to a strong immune system, many do not even suspect the presence of an infection. However, with a weakened state of the body, papillomavirus infection passes from a latent state to an active one. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of papillomavirus, you need to see a doctor. 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 English name is Human Papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV.
This is an infectious disease that is transmitted through contact. Human papillomavirus is classified into 27 species and more than 120 strains (or types), including high, intermediate, low oncogenic risk and non-oncogenic types.
What does HPV look like? A person develops skin tumors: warts, papillomas, condylomas. This is because the virus's DNA integrates with the damaged cell's DNA and changes its functions. The process of division is accelerated, growths characteristic of infection are formed, which are supplied with blood vessels.
The type and location of the growths depend on the type of virus that entered the body and the sites of damage. Benign neoplasms appear everywhere: in the mouth, nasopharynx, face, throat, armpits, internal and external organs of the genitourinary system. Infection is also possible when shaking hands with an infection carrier, especially if the skin is damaged.
With infection after sexual contact, the patient may not be able to visually identify neoplasms, but itching, burning and discomfort in the area of \u200b\u200bthe internal genital organs or rectum, mucous membrane or spotting 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 people who frequently switch sex partners are more likely to be infected. But even with loyalty to a person, if he is a carrier of HPV, constant inter-infection occurs.
There are other reasons for the appearance of the papillomavirus. The infection is also transmitted through the household route. Viral pathogens can remain for a long time on wet surfaces in public spaces such as swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms, from where they get on the epithelium. And with microtraumas, they can penetrate into the basal layers of the skin.
This viral disease is transmitted from an HPV-infected mother to the baby during childbirth. The possibility of self-infection when shaving and epilating is not excluded.
Virus Activating 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, which means that the body can no longer fight the virus.
Factors that reduce immune forces include:
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- exhaustion from overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- long-term use of certain medications;
- hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is a dangerous papilloma virus?
Many do not take adequate measures at the beginning of the development of the disease, do not realize the seriousness of the situation, justify themselves with lack of time and postpone the visit to the doctor "until later". Consequences come. The virus continues to infect cells, the growths increase in size, capture a large areaof the skin, in some cases it degenerates into oncology. A person begins treatment when there are health problems, but by this time the situation is already very neglected. And all the time he is contagious.
Statistics show how dangerous the human papillomavirus is. In medical practice, cervical cancer without HPV does not occur. In most cases, viruses of the 16th and 18th types are responsible for the development of oncology. But not all HPV strains produce consequences in the form of malignant tumors.
Infection with other sexually transmitted diseases often 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), moderate (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. In addition, among strains with high oncogenicity, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, tests are first carried out to determine the strain of the virus.
effects 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 cannot penetrate the amniotic fluid and placenta, so it does not pose a threat to the development of the fetus.
However, during childbirth, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal leads to certain complications:
- Injury to the growths can lead to severe bleeding and re-infection of the mother's body.
- Through direct contact with papillomas, a child becomes infected, which later leads to growths in the baby's mouth, larynx or vulva.
Therefore, as a precaution, couples planning a pregnancy are advised to get tested for HPV.
Symptoms of the papilloma virus and types of rashes
The appearance of warts, papillomas or condylomas on the skin and mucous membranes are external signs of the human papilloma virus.
A wart is a hard, dry skin growth that looks like a lump the size of a pinhead or larger. Most common in the palms and soles. 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 - "nipples") are benign tumors on the skin in the form of a papilla. Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nasopharynx, bladder. This is a soft formation on the leg. Color varies from white to brown, but usually the papilloma is the color of the surrounding tissue Growth is solitary, sometimes a whole "colony" grows, similar to a rooster's comb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papillomas divided into flat and genital warts and are mainly observed on the genitals, around the anus and on the oral mucosa. In addition, 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 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 see a doctor immediately.
Flat papillomas usually appear during adolescence. They do not differ in color from the skin, form small groups.
With the formation of growths on the surface of internal organs, there are unpleasant sensations of foreign bodies, burning and itching, discharge of blood or secretions.
diagnostic methods
If warts, papillomas or condylomas appear, you should first consult a doctor for a clinical examination. Depending on the localization 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 (on the neck of the womb) neoplasms must 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 identify the human papillomavirus.
Swabs are taken 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 performed.
An important role in the diagnosis of HPV is played by the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method, thanks to which it is possible to identify the type of virus.
A blood test is required to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection?
How to cure human papillomavirus in the active stage, and moreover, is it possible to completely cure papillomavirus? To date, no means have been developed that guarantee absolute liberation from human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises whether HPV treatment is necessary and useful. yes it is necessaryIf human papillomavirus is not treated, it infects other cells and contributes to the growth of neoplasms. Here is an example of an HPV treatment regimen:
- unwanted growths are removed;
- antiviral drugs, drugs to strengthen the immune system, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed.
antivirals
Treatment of papillomavirus infection begins with eliminating 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.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor after determining the strain of the virus, taking into account the age and peculiarities of the patient's body.
The most effective treatment of human papillomavirus is with isoprinosine preparations that block the synthesis of viral DNA.
immunomodulators
Treatment of papillomavirus infection with the help of immunomodulators is designed to strengthen the immune system, since the body's resistance to viruses depends on it. An immunogram will help prescribe the right drug treatment, thanks to which the immune status will be determined, and then the appropriate drug will be selected.
Getting rid of the human papillomavirus requires interferons, proteins that cells secrete in response to the virus' attack, to come into play. If the body cannot produce them in the right amount, interferon supplements 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 the papillomavirus with external manifestations must be treated with destructive methods, that is, the papilloma must be removed, since it is the focus of viral infection. There are various methods for doing this:
- with the laser superficial growths are vaporized practically without a trace;
- the cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electric knife burns out the neoplasm;
- Surgery is performed if the growths are severe or if cancer is suspected.
However, treatment of the papillomavirus does not end there. An integrated pharmacological approach is required to combat infection.
Application of local funds
How is human papillomavirus treated with local means? Although this approach has not proved to be very effective, because in this way it is impossible to get rid of the human papillomavirus from the body, papillomas are still treated with caustic and mummifying drugs.
For topical use, ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects are used. The best option will help you choose the attending physician.
How effective is the treatment
Is it possible to cure HPV forever and is HPV generally treated or not? To date, no tool has been developed to get rid of the papilloma virus forever. 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 papillomavirus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases patients managed to completely defeat 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 show the connection between frequent partner changes, HPV diseases and the development of cervical cancer in women. If infection is detected, both sex partners should be evaluated and treated to avoid re-infection.
A conscious healthy lifestyle contributes to the general strengthening of the body, which helps 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 human papillomavirus vaccine 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 vaccinations. The second will be ready 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. Vaccination is carried out in adolescents aged 10-12 years. Vaccination against HPV is a preventive method, so it is carried out before the start of sexual activity. Once infected, it is ineffective. Also vaccinate adults who are not infected with HPV.