Human papillomavirus is very common. Seventy out of one hundred people are carriers of this infection, so tumors develop on the skin and mucous membranes. Viruses often affect intimate areas. While the body can cope successfully thanks to a strong immune system, many people don't even suspect the presence of an infection. However, as the body becomes debilitated, papillomavirus infection transitions from a latent to an active state. Some strains contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, in the slightest suspicion of papillomavirus, it is necessary to see a doctor. Neglected infections require destructive methods and serious medical treatment.
What is HPV?
If HPV antibodies are found in the blood, the doctor will explain what it is. Referred to as human papillomavirus, also known as human papillomavirus infection. The English name is Human papillomavirus, abbreviated as HPV.
This is an infectious disease that is spread by contact. Human papillomaviruses are divided into 27 species and more than 120 strains (or types), among which strains have high, medium, low carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic types.
What does HPV look like? A person can develop skin tumors: warts, papillomas, condyloma acuminatum. This is because the DNA of the virus is integrated into the DNA of the damaged cell, altering its function. The division process is accelerated, forming the growth characteristic of infection, supplying blood vessels.
The nature and localization of growth depends on the type of virus entering the body and the site of injury. Benign tumors appear anywhere: mouth, nasopharynx, face, neck, armpits, internal and external organs of the genitourinary system. Even shaking hands with an infected person can lead to infection, especially if the skin is damaged.
When infected after sexual contact, the patient may not see the tumor with the naked eye, but itching, burning and discomfort, mucus, or spots in the internal genital organs or rectal area are also observed. This symptom is typical when papillomas appear on the surface of internal organs.
Where does human papillomavirus come from?
HPV infection is primarily sexually transmitted, so people who change sexual partners frequently are more likely to become infected. But even loyal to a person, if he is a carrier of HPV, will continue to infect each other.
There are other reasons for the appearance of papillomavirus. Infections are also spread through household routes. Viral agents can persist for long periods of time on wet surfaces in public places, such as swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms, from where they reach epithelial cells. And in the presence of minimal trauma, they are able to penetrate into the basal layer of the skin.
This viral disease is passed from mother to baby who is infected with HPV during childbirth. The possibility of self-infection during shaving and hair removal cannot be ruled out.
viral activator
Papillomavirus infection manifests itself in the growth form of more than 3/5 of the adult population. Observations show that up to 80% of people recover without treatment within a year.
However, for some reason, HPV remains in the body and becomes active. The main reason is that the immune system is weakened, so the body cannot fight off the virus.
Factors that lower immunity include:
- Bad habits (alcohol, nicotine, drugs);
- Fatigue from overwork, stress, malnutrition;
- long-term use of certain medicines;
- Hormonal changes, including during pregnancy.
What is Dangerous Papillomavirus
At the beginning of the development of the disease, many people did not take appropriate measures, did not realize the seriousness of the situation, and "postponed" medical treatment due to lack of time. Here comes the consequences. The virus continues to infect cells, growing in size, capturing large areas of skin, and in some cases it degenerates into tumors. A person starts treatment when a health problem becomes apparent, but by then the situation has been very neglected. All the while, he was contagious.
Statistics show how dangerous HPV is. In medical practice, cervical cancer does not occur in the absence of HPV. In most cases, virus types 16 and 18 are responsible for the development of oncology. But not all HPV strains have consequences in the form of malignancies.
Often, infections from other sexually transmitted diseases occur at the same time as HPV.
cancer risk
Papillomavirus infection is not a death sentence. Human papillomaviruses come in non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic forms. 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. In addition, among the highly carcinogenic strains, HPV-16 causes cervical cancer in 50% of cases. Therefore, if a disease is detected, a test is first performed to determine the strain of the virus.
effects on pregnancy
Women diagnosed with papillomavirus are concerned about whether HPV is dangerous for their children. The virus cannot penetrate the amniotic fluid and placenta, so there is no danger to the developing fetus.
However, during labor, the presence of papillomas in the birth canal can lead to certain complications:
- Damage to the growth can lead to severe bleeding and reinfection of the mother's body.
- Through direct contact with the papilloma, the child can become infected, which can then cause the baby to grow in the mouth, throat, or vulva.
Therefore, as a precautionary measure, HPV testing is recommended for couples planning to become pregnant.
Symptoms and rash types of papillomavirus
Warts, papillomas, or condyloma acuminatum on the skin and mucous membranes are external signs of HPV.
Warts are hard, dry skin growths that look like nodules the size of a pinhead or larger. Most often on the palms and soles of the feet. So-called plantar warts appear where shoes rub against the skin, especially where you sweat too much. Not all cases are associated with HPV infection.
Papillomas (from Latin papillo - "nipple") are benign papillary tumors on the skin. Formed on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nasopharynx, and bladder. This is a soft formation on the legs. Color varies from white to brown, but usually papillomas have the color of the surrounding tissue. Growth is single, sometimes producing a complete "swarm" similar to a rooster's comb or cauliflower.
Condyloma acuminatum is a papilloma, subdivided into flat warts and genital warts, mainly found in the genitals, around the anus, and oral mucosa. Also, in women, the virus usually manifests on the genitals, but in men, condyloma acuminatum is commonly seen. The appearance of papilloma or warts is a clear sign of papillomavirus.
Symptoms of HPV are associated with the appearance of tumors and appear within two to three months of infection. If you notice them, we recommend that you seek medical attention immediately.
Flat papilloma usually occurs in adolescence. They are indistinguishable from their skin in color and form small groups.
In the case of growths forming on the surface of the internal organs, there is an unpleasant sensation of a foreign body, burning and itching, the discharge of blood or pus.
diagnosis method
When warts, papillomas or condyloma acuminata appear, the first thing to do is to consult a doctor for a clinical examination. Depending on where the growth is, it will be a dermatologist, gynecologist, urologist or proctologist. If the presence of HPV is confirmed, an immunologist will be involved in the treatment process.
Women with cervical (cervical) tumors must undergo colposcopy and biopsy to determine if HPV infection is present. During colposcopy, tests are performed using clinical markers - acetic acid or Lugol solution. Uneven absorption of the solution by the epithelium aids in the identification of human papillomavirus.
The smear is used for cytology, through which atypical cells - regenerated under the influence of the virus - can be detected and examined histologically. At the same time, a Digene test was performed for carcinogenicity.
The PCR method (polymerase chain reaction) plays an important role in the diagnosis of HPV, so it can identify the type of virus.
Blood tests are needed to detect other sexually transmitted infections.
How to treat human papillomavirus infection
How to cure active human papillomavirus, and, is it possible to cure papillomavirus completely? Today, no method has been developed to guarantee absolute freedom from human papillomavirus infection.
The question is whether it is necessary to treat HPV and whether it makes sense. Yes, it is necessary. If left untreated, HPV can infect other cells and promote tumor growth. The following are examples of HPV treatment options:
- remove unwanted growth;
- Antiviral drugs, immune system boosting drugs, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed.
antiviral drugs
Treatment of papillomavirus infection begins with eliminating the cause of the disease. First, the drugs prescribed do not kill microbes and do not spread papillomavirus further throughout the body.
After identifying the virus strain, doctors will prescribe treatment based on the patient's age and physical condition.
The most effective treatment for HPV is the use of isoalanine preparations, which block the synthesis of viral DNA.
immunomodulator
Treating papillomavirus infections with the help of immunomodulators is to strengthen the immune system, as the body's resistance to the virus depends on it. The immune map can help to prescribe the correct drug treatment, determine the immune status, and then select the appropriate drug.
To get rid of HPV, interferons, proteins secreted by cells in response to a viral attack, must enter the battlefield. If the body cannot produce the right amount of interferon, interferon preparations or interferon inducers—substances that stimulate the production of interferon on its own—are prescribed.
Some drugs have both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
destructive method
Treatment of papillomaviruses with external manifestations must be treated with destructive methods, ie the papilloma must be removed because it is the focal point of the viral infection. There are multiple ways to do this:
- Laser is used to evaporate shallow growth, leaving almost no trace;
- cryodestruction method for freezing papilloma;
- Electrocautery burns the tumor;
- Surgery is performed in cases of severe overgrowth or suspected cancer.
However, papillomavirus treatment doesn't end there. To combat infection, an integrated pharmacological approach is required.
Application of Local Funding
How to treat human papillomavirus with local medicine? Although this method has not been proven to be very effective, because it is impossible to remove HPV from the body, papilloma is still treated with cautery and mummification.
For topical use, use ointments, gels, sprays, and suppositories with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The best option will help you choose your primary physician.
How does the treatment work
Is it possible to cure HPV forever, and is it possible to treat HPV in general? So far, no tools have been developed to help get rid of papillomavirus forever. The essence of treatment is to stop the development of the pathology, to save the person from tumors that interfere with normal life, and to prevent recurrences as much as possible because the papilloma virus remains in the body.
In some cases, patients are able to defeat the infection entirely, experts say. This result is influenced by many individual factors, including the general condition of the body.
Prevent papillomavirus infection
Protecting yourself from HPV infection is everyone's personal responsibility.
First, having a sexual partner is important. Using condoms when coming into contact with someone with the virus is usually not enough. Research has demonstrated a relationship between frequent partner switching, HPV disease, and the development of cervical cancer in women. If infection is detected, both sexual partners should be examined and treated to avoid reinfection.
A conscious healthy lifestyle will contribute to the overall strengthening of the body, which will help cope with the virus.
Vaccination
Papillomavirus infection, its spread and ease of transmission, the high risk of carcinogenicity—all of which worry doctors. In 2006, the United States developed a human papillomavirus vaccine. The vaccine is registered in many countries around the world.
Vaccination protects against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 - the most carcinogenic strains. The course includes three vaccinations. The second was completed in two months. Four months later, the third.
Several studies have shown that the vaccine is almost 100% effective if the person is not infected with the virus before getting the vaccine. Immunization in adolescents 10-12 years old. HPV vaccination is a preventive method, so it is done before sexual activity begins. Once infected, it is ineffective. Also vaccinated for adults who are not infected with HPV.