The human papillomavirus is very common. Seventy out of a hundred people 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. While the body copes successfully with 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 changes 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 HPV antibodies are found in the blood, the doctor will tell you what it is. The abbreviation stands for human papillomavirus, another name is human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV.
It 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 with high, medium, low risk of oncogenicity and non-oncogenic types.
What does HPV look like? A person develops skin neoplasms: warts, papillomas, condyloma. This is because the DNA of the virus is integrated into the DNA of the damaged cell, changing its functions. The process of division is accelerated, growths characteristic of infection are formed, supplied with blood vessels.
The nature and location of the growths depends 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 a carrier of the infection, especially if there are skin lesions.
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, 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 sexually transmitted, so those who change sexual partners frequently are more susceptible to infection. But even with loyalty to one person, if they have HPV, there will be constant cross-infection.
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 damp 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 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 self-infection during shaving and depilation is not excluded.
Virus activation factors
Papillomavirus infection manifests as 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 stays in the body and becomes active. The main reason is the weakening of the immune system, due to which the body is not able to fight the virus.
Factors that reduce immune strengths include:
- bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- exhaustion due to overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- long-term use of certain medications;
- hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is a dangerous papillomavirus
At the beginning of the development of the disease, many do not take appropriate measures, not realizing the seriousness of the situation, justify 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 grow in size, capture a large part of the skin, in some cases it degenerates into oncology. A person begins to be treated when health problems become apparent, but by this time the situation is already very neglected. And all the while, he's contagious.
How dangerous is the human papillomavirus, according to statistics. In medical practice, cervical cancer in the absence of HPV does not occur. In most cases, viruses of the 16th and 18th types 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 at the same time as HPV.
cancer risk
HPV 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 (HPV 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51, 61, 72, 73) cancer risk. Moreover, among the strains with high oncogenicity, it is HPV-16 that causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if the disease is detected, examinations are first carried out to determine the strain of the virus.
Impact on pregnancy
Women in a position who have been diagnosed with papillomavirus infection are concerned about whether HPV is dangerous for a child. The virus is not able to penetrate the amniotic fluid and placenta, therefore it does not pose any danger to the development of the fetus.
However, during childbirth, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal will lead to certain complications:
- Injuries to the growths can lead to severe bleeding and reinfection of the mother's body.
- Through 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.
HPV symptoms and types of rashes
The appearance of warts, papillomas or condyloma on the skin and mucous membranes are outward signs of the human papillomavirus.
A wart is a hard, dry skin growth that looks like a nodule the size of a pinhead or larger. Most often located in the area of the palms and soles. So-called plantar warts appear where shoes rub the skin, especially in cases of excessive sweating. Not all cases are associated with HPV infection.
Papillomas (from the Latin papillo - "nipple") are benign skin tumors in the form of a papilla. Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nasopharynx, bladder. It is a gentle 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" develops, similar to a cockscomb or cauliflower.
Condylomas are a type of papillomas, 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 itself on the reproductive organs, but anal condylomatosis often develops in men. The appearance of papillomas or warts are obvious 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 seek immediate medical attention.
Flat papillomas usually occur in adolescence. They do not differ in skin color, 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 condyloma appear, first of all you need to 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 the human papillomavirus is confirmed, an immunologist will participate in the treatment process.
Women with cervical (on the cervix) neoplasms should have a 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. The uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium helps to recognize the human papilloma virus.
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 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 a Human Papillomavirus Infection
How to cure human papillomavirus in the active stage, and moreover, is it possible to cure papillomavirus completely? Today, no means have yet been developed to guarantee absolute deliverance 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-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 spread of 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
The treatment of papillomavirus infection with the help of immunomodulators consists in strengthening 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 the attack of the virus, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce them in sufficient quantities, interferon preparations or interferon inducers are prescribed - substances that stimulate the production of their own interferons.
There are drugs that have both 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 different methods for this:
- the laser is used to evaporate shallow growths, leaving practically no traces;
- the cryodestruction method is used to freeze papillomas;
- the electric knife burns the neoplasm;
- surgery is performed in cases of severe proliferation or suspicion of cancer.
However, HPV treatment does not stop there. To fight the infection, an integrated pharmacological approach is necessary.
Application of local funds
How is human papillomavirus treated using topical remedies? Although this approach has not proven to be very effective, since it is thus impossible to eliminate the human papillomavirus from the body, papillomas are still treated with cauterizing and mummifying drugs.
For topical use, ointments, gels, sprays and suppositories with 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 permanently cure HPV and, in general, is HPV treated or not? So far, no tools have been developed to help get rid of 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 papillomavirus remains in the body.
Experts say that in some cases, patients managed to overcome 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 everyone's personal responsibility.
First of all, it is important to have a sexual partner. The use of a condom in contact with a carrier of the virus is often not sufficient. Studies have proven 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 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 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 is done 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 practiced in adolescents from 10 to 12 years old. 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.