More than 60% of the world’s population is considered a carrier of human papillomavirus infection. It is transmitted primarily through touch. Human papillomavirus (HPV) against the background of a weakened immune system manifests itself in the form of characteristic neoplasms on the skin or mucous membranes. In rare cases, such growth cells degenerate into malignant.
What is HPV
Human papillomavirus is one of the types of infectious pathology that gives rise to the appearance of neoplasms on the body. Growth is formed from epithelial tissue. The virus infects the body of people regardless of age and gender.
HPV can be transmitted through contact with an infected person, through the use of household items, in the uterus, intrapartum.
For HPV prevention, the vaccine is given before the start of sexual activity; in adulthood, control of sexual activity and personal hygiene are indicated.
For treatment, antiviral drugs, immunomodulators are prescribed; existing skin tumors are removed.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most viruses do not pose a threat to human life and health. It affects exclusively the basal layer of the dermis. Permeating into the human body, HPV disrupts cell division, leading to the appearance of warts.
When HPV is infected, the main thing is to determine the type of virus, because non -oncogenic strains do not pose a danger to humans, they only spoil the appearance when, when activated, it leads to the formation of papillomas on the body.
Oncogenic pathogens are dangerous for the development of malignant neoplasms.
The only way to not be infected with such papillomavirus and to prevent cervical cancer is vaccination.
The vaccine is given to girls and young women before the onset of sexual activity.
An oncogenic virus is a virus that infects the genitals in women or men. In the first, the papillomavirus, which manifests itself in the form of genital warts, causes cervical cancer or provokes the appearance of malignant tumors in the uterus.
Statistics
According to statistics, the incidence of HPV in the world is diagnosed in 15-50 people per 100 thousand population. About 60% of people are carriers of the virus. 30% of those infected do not suspect that they have a dangerous disease.
Young people aged 18-28 are more likely to be infected with the virus. Adolescent girls account for about 82% of an active sex life.
In 93% of confirmed cancers affecting the anus or genitals, papillomavirus is detected. Moreover, in 60% of situations, infection occurs through unintentional sexual intercourse.
HPV type 16 causes cancer in 41-54% of people.
Also, statistics confirm that 90% of women can be active HPV carriers, but cervical cancer is diagnosed in only 20% of patients after 5 years.
In 90% of the population with papillomavirus, 11 and 6 species were detected, which included the low -risk group.
In addition, in about 95% of situations, experts record the body’s free removal of the virus for about 2 years.
symptoms
Papillomavirus manifests itself on the body in cases where exposure to external or internal factors has caused a decrease in immunity. The nature of the clinical picture during HPV infection depends on the final strain and localization of the neoplasm.
Among the common forms of papillomavirus, genital warts stand out. It is distinguished by the following features:
- pale pink color;
- the presence of thin legs, of which the condyloma is attached to the body.
In case of manifestation of condyloma, fluid with an unpleasant odor is secreted. This type of neoplasm grows without pain.
The main area of localization of genital warts is the perineum. With lesions on the genitals, patients worry about itching and burning.
Infection of the mucous membrane of the larynx leads to the appearance of flat papillomas on its surface. The development of this form of pathology is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- difficult breathing;
- problems with swallowing;
- Bad voice;
- persistent cough.
Papillomas localized on the mucous membrane of the larynx are prone to rapid growth, which causes asphyxia (suffocation).
Viral infections also manifest themselves in the form of:
- Vulgar warts. Occurs due to poor hygiene. The body often suppresses the activity of this type of virus on its own.
- flat warts. The growth is a small neoplasm with a diameter of up to 3 mm. More often localized on the front of the head.
Papilloma virus type 18 is considered dangerous. It develops on the genitals of men and women, giving rise to the appearance of numerous neoplasms on the surface of the mucous membranes.
The causative agent of this type, with a background of weakened immunity, quickly spreads throughout the body, affecting the internal structure. In addition, HPV 18 is prone to malignancy.
Defeat of the female genitals with papillomavirus gives rise to the appearance of bleeding not associated with menstruation. Infections often penetrate the uterine cavity and contribute to local cell degeneration. About 98% of women with reproductive organ cancer develop malignant tumors as a result of exposure to HPV.
How it is delivered
Infection with papillomavirus occurs in the following ways:
- acrosshousehold items. The use of combs, towels, slippers or clothing of a person who is a carrier of the infection contributes to the spread of papillomavirus.
- Onthe relationship continues. This also applies to cases of sexual intimacy. The possibility of infection remains even with the use of condoms.
- Autoinfection. The virus is carried from one part of the body to another.
- From mother to childthrough the placenta.
The virus enters the body through open wounds, mucous membranes. However, infections do not always occur.
Strong immunity prevents infection, preventing its spread throughout the body.
Risk zones for the development of papillomas on the body include people diagnosed with:
- hormonal imbalances;
- endocrine pathology;
- chronic or acute diseases of internal organs;
- vitamin deficiency;
- pregnancy.
Excessive mental or physical work, severe stress also contributes to decreased immunity, which increases the likelihood of infection with papillomavirus.
How to get rid of
Human papillomavirus has a specific clinical picture. Therefore, treatment is often prescribed only based on the results of external examination of the problem area.
The need for additional screening arises when the nature of the malignant tumor is suspected, as well as to distinguish HPV from secondary syphilis.
Diagnosis of papillomavirus by the following methods:
- learnbiological secretspatients;
- colposcopy(used for wounds on the female genitals);
- cytology andhistological analysismaterial taken from the surface of the condyloma;
- polymerase methodchain reaction, which allows to detect the presence of HPV in the patient's body;
- methodhybridization, with the help of which the degree of oncogenicity of tumor cells is determined.
HPV is not "afraid" of the action of modern antiviral drugs. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to eliminate the outward signs of infection.
Conservative therapy is prescribed if:
- no genital warts;
- the color and size of the papilloma remain unchanged;
- the number of growths does not increase.
It is recommended to fight the manifestations of the virus with the help of topical preparations.
Simultaneously with the treatment of local warts, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system. For this, immunomodulators or vitamin complexes are appropriate.
In connection with genital warts and papillomas, prone to rebirth, other manipulations are performed:
- Laser freezing. This method is considered harmless to the body. The laser beam, focused narrowly on the papilloma, burns its tissue in layers. After the procedure, bleeding and other unpleasant phenomena do not occur in the treatment area.
- Cryodestruction. This procedure involves treatment of the neoplasm with liquid nitrogen. The material freezes the growth tissue, and the papilloma falls off.
- Surgical removal. It is performed in cases where high oncogenicity of the neoplasm is diagnosed.
Human papillomavirus usually does not pose a threat. It causes the appearance of warts and other neoplasms on the body. Part of this growth is prone to rebirth, so patients with such papillomas should be checked regularly by a doctor.