The human papilloma virus is widespread. 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 the intimate areas. Although the body manages 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 one. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, at 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 to HPV are found in your blood, your doctor will explain what it is. The abbreviation stands for human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human Papilloma Virus, 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), including 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 because the DNA of the virus integrates into the DNA of the damaged cell, changing its functions. The process of division is accelerated, growths characteristic of the infection are formed, provided 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 infection carrier, especially if there is skin damage.
When infected after sexual contact, the patient may not visually detect neoplasms, however, itching, burning and discomfort in the area of the internal genital organs or rectum, mucus 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 sexually transmitted, so those who change sexual partners frequently are more likely to become infected. But even with loyalty to one 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 domestically. Viral agents can remain for a long time on moist surfaces in public places, such as swimming pools, saunas, baths, from where they reach the epithelium. And in the presence of microtrauma, they are able to penetrate into 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 autoinfection during shaving and depilation 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, due to which the body cannot fight 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 medications;
- Hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is dangerous papillomavirus?
At the very beginning of the development of the disease, many do not take adequate measures, not realizing the seriousness of the situation, justifying themselves by lack of time and postponing the visit to the doctor "for later". The consequences are coming. The virus continues to infect cells, the growths increase in size, capture a large area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, in some cases degenerates into oncology. A person begins to be treated when health problems become evident, but by that time the situation is already very neglected. And all this time is 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, viruses of type 16 and 18 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 highly oncogenic strains, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, first of all, tests are carried out to determine the strain of the virus.
Impact on pregnancy
Women in a post 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 or 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 lead to certain complications:
- Injury to the growths can lead to heavy 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 on the 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 papilloma virus.
A wart is a hard, dry growth on the skin that looks like a nodule the size of a pinhead or larger. Most often it is located in the area of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. 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. Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nasopharynx, bladder. This is a smooth training on the leg. The color varies from white to brown, but usually the papilloma has the color of the surrounding tissues. Growth is single, sometimes an entire "colony" grows, similar to a rooster's comb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papillomas, subdivided into flat and genital warts, which are mainly observed on the genitals, around the anus, on the oral mucosa. Also, 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 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.
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 the 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 need to see 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 be involved in the treatment process.
Women with cervical (on the cervix) neoplasms should undergo colposcopy and biopsy to determine the presence of HPV infection. During colposcopy, a test 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.
Smears are taken for cytological examination, through which it is possible to detect atypical cells, reborn 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 (polymerase chain reaction) method, thanks to which the type of virus can be identified.
A blood test is required to check for other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to cure the human papillomavirus in the active stage, and, moreover, is it possible to cure the papillomavirus completely? To date, means have not yet been developed that guarantee the absolute release of human papillomavirus infection.
The question arises whether it is necessary to treat HPV and whether it makes sense. If required. 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 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 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 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 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 virus attack, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce them in adequate quantity, interferon preparations or interferon inducers are prescribed - substances that stimulate the production of its 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, since it is the focus of a viral infection. There are several methods for this:
- the laser is used to evaporate superficial growths, leaving practically no traces;
- cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electroknife burns the neoplasm;
- surgery is performed in case of severe overgrowth or suspected cancer.
However, the treatment of papillomavirus does not end there. To combat infection, an integrated pharmacological approach is needed.
Application of local funds
How is human papillomavirus treated with 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 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 treating doctor.
How effective is the treatment?
Is it possible to cure HPV forever and is HPV generally treated 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, 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 beat the infection completely. 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 each person's personal responsibility.
First of all, it is important to have a sexual partner. Using a condom when in contact with a carrier of the virus is often not enough. Studies have shown the relationship between frequent partner changes, HPV disease, and the development of cervical cancer in women. If an infection is detected, both sexual partners should be tested 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 human papillomavirus was developed in the United States. 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 is done in two months. Four months later, a third.
Several 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 prevention method, so it is carried out before the start of sexual activity. Once infected, it is ineffective. Also vaccinate adults, but not infected with HPV.