One of the most common and dangerous sexually transmitted infections is the human papillomavirus or HPV: it can cause warts, various diseases and genital cancer.This infection is spread in many ways, has many types and threatens everyone who is sexually active.How to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, what to do if the virus is detected and how to treat papilloma - we will try to figure it out.
What is human papillomavirus?
Human papillomavirus is a large group of viruses, which includes 27 species and about 500 strains (types).Most of them do not involve pathology in the human body, they exist unnoticed, without complications, but some types are potentially dangerous.They can cause various diseases, including oncology, reproductive dysfunction, and HIV.
Why is it dangerous?
Papillomavirus has been around for a long time.The problem of deep treatment of this disease was not paid attention until it was proven that long-term HPV in women provokes the development of cervical cancer.Now this is the most common complication;in other cases, warts, weak immunity are observed, and malignant tumors including cancer of the vulva, penis, and anus.Human papillomavirus is dangerous not only for the reproductive system: it can cause cancer of the head, lungs, neck, and damage to mucous membranes.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
The interaction between papillomavirus and pregnancy must be constantly monitored by a doctor: the disease can be transmitted to the child only if there is a papilloma in the vagina;intrauterine contact poses no threat.In this case, the child will receive either an infection of the genitals or the respiratory system.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous viruses type 16 or 18, which causes cervical cancer, it is recommended to have a cesarean section;Removing papilloma during pregnancy is impossible.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papilloma is asymptomatic, does not appear externally and disappears by itself after some time.The severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.People encounter problems when papillomas appear on the body - small cone-shaped warts, which are considered a symptom of HPV.Almost always, when the body is infected, a person can see a decrease in immunity, a decrease in the body's protective functions, and more susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases.
In women
HPV in women manifests itself in the form of condylomas - small or flat body formations on the inside of the vagina and outer labia.Single or multiple warts can appear on different parts of the body: limbs, head, neck.They are mostly painless, small, and cause more psychological and aesthetic discomfort.
In men
In men, papillomas appear on the soles of the feet, hands, face and head.When infected with a dangerous virus, papulosis of the penis and testicles is possible: it is a yellow or pink papilloma that protrudes slightly above the skin.Another unpleasant symptom of HPV in men is Bowen's disease: red plaque-like formations, growths on the head of the penis.
Causes of papillomas
The cause of papilloma can be considered the pathogenesis of infection: when it enters the body, the virus is localized in the lower layer of the epithelium;it is easiest to penetrate into vulnerable soft tissues, such as the uterus and vagina of women.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in which case the development of malignant tumors occurs.Warts are obtained directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its influence on the skin from the inside.
HPV type
Precancerous conditions can be provoked by medium and high risk group viruses, low oncogenic papillomaviruses are harmless, their manifestation - warts - show negative biopsy results and do not harm health.Types of viral infections differ in the level of oncogenic risk, and the list is constantly revised, added and changed.Currently, the most dangerous strains for women include the 16th and 18th;they are found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
High-risk oncogenic HPV
Oncogenic high-risk HPV can be detected during testing after examining warts.Such viruses are almost always accompanied by genital warts.This category includes types of infections such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73. They are able to trigger degeneration in the tissue where they enter, thereby causing cancer and other dangerous pathologies.
How is HPV transmitted?
Among the methods of HPV transmission, sexual transmission is clearly the leader, and penetration is not required;direct contact with the genitals is sufficient.This has made the virus the second most common sexually transmitted infection after herpes, and is especially common in poor countries with low quality of life.All sexually active people of any gender and age can be infected with papilloma.It may be present from birth and only appear at certain times.What other ways is HPV transmitted?
- Direct body contact.The virus can live for some time in public places after sick people visit them;it is very active in suitable moist environments: bathhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium, toilet.In such cases, the virus can be spread through abrasions, cuts, or direct contact with mucous membranes.
- Infant infection during childbirth.In this case, both pulmonary papulosis and anogenital warts can occur.
Incubation period
Many people live with this disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while they can potentially become carriers if they are sexually active.The incubation period of HPV is very long, which is why the disease often goes unnoticed.It lasts from 5 months to several years, continues latently, the virus is activated due to various factors: decreased immunity, illness, severe stress, after which they multiply and manifest themselves externally.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is carried out when warts are detected on the body, and to determine the type of virus, various examination methods are used.Their choice depends on the location of the papilloma: anogenital formation requires a mandatory examination of the cervix, plantar and other papillomas require histological examination and blood tests.What diagnostic methods can doctors use:
- Cytological examination - analysis of scrapings from the cervix and uterine tubes.
- Colposcopy is a test for women using acetic acid: the surface of the mucous membrane is observed after its use.
- A biopsy is the removal of a sample of skin to identify cancer cells.It is used for men and women with highly oncogenic HPV.
- Type determination using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - DNA and nucleic acids are checked.
- Histological examination.
- Vaginal screening tests are an accurate way to detect precancerous and cancerous conditions in women with no visible symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you must stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial drugs.HPV tests, in which smears are taken from the vagina and urethra, are carried out in specialized clinics and laboratories.The test is contraindicated for women during menstruation and the first day after it ends;men should not urinate for two hours before the procedure.A doctor, urologist or oncologist interprets the results, and a test to detect antibodies can be performed.
Papillomavirus treatment
The main question that worries patients is whether it is possible to cure HPV (papilloma) completely and forever?Unfortunately there is none.In 90% of cases, the immune system overcomes itself, but there is no effective method to eliminate it from the body.Treatment boils down to the removal of warts, condylomas and the possible consequences of diseases - benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium.Some drugs are used to help the body fight infection and speed up the tissue repair process.
Treatment in women
Human papillomavirus infection in women can be a sign of a dangerous disease, so it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and perform preventive examinations if necessary.If a condyloma is found on the body, do not try to remove it yourself, this can lead to more serious consequences.When mentioning papillomavirus treatment in women, they mean removing the affected tissue, monitoring the growth and development of warts;General therapy can be used if the HPV infection is highly oncogenic.Methods for removing papillomas:
- surgery;
- chemical cauterization;
- laser removal (carbon dioxide, neodymium beam);
- destruction of the affected cell concentration with liquid nitrogen;
- electrocoagulation.
Removal of condylomas and warts does not mean a cure: this is only a temporary measure that helps prevent the formation of malignant cells, and women need it because of the high probability of cervical cancer with HPV.After surgery, relapse or complications may occur in the form of damage to the area adjacent to the area that has been removed.With timely intervention, not only cancer can be avoided, but also uterine surgery can be performed without harming reproduction and women's health.
Treatment of HPV in women with drugs
Treatment of papillomavirus with drugs occurs only after the drugs are prescribed by the doctor, because all drugs only perform additional functions and are not the main method of therapy.To treat HPV in women, antiviral tablets and immunomodulatory drugs are used.How they help fight disease:
- Antivirus: acts directly on "foreign" cells in the body, increasing the production of antibodies;may interfere with reproduction or have a stimulating effect on innate immune resources.
- Immunomodulators: Immunomodulator drugs have the ability to cause non-specific resistance - resistance and increased body protection, regeneration of damaged tissue.There are some side effects, it must be used in doses.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: helps get rid of condylomas and warts in the anogenital area.Before use, you need to treat the area with a special disinfectant.
Treatment of strains 16, 18 in women with drugs
If you have an oncogenic type of virus, you need surgery on the cervix if a condyloma has formed there, and cleaning of the entire vagina, because no medicine eliminates the virus.They can only help slow or stop its spread.Antiviral drugs with an immunostimulating effect are used to quickly adapt the body to a healthy state after surgery and prevent relapse.When treating strain 16.18 in women, drugs are prescribed to reduce existing condylomas before surgery:
- interferon;
- interferonogen.
Injection
To eliminate external signs, when the papilloma is not oncogenic, injections are prescribed.There are drugs that are available in the form of injectable ampoules.It can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes;no side effects or contraindications.It helps to get rid of warts without surgery and significantly increases the period of remission.
Increase immunity with HPV
What is HPV, besides papilloma, oncology and uterine dysplasia?This means critically reduced immunity, susceptibility to all seasonal infections and a difficult recovery period.Increased artificial and natural immunity is also important to give the body strength and the ability to fight infection by itself.For this, there are special medicines, medical preparations and traditional methods.How you can boost your immunity:
- Complex of vitamins and useful microelements.
- Drugs: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Mild medicine: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hip, walnut, honey, citrus fruits are irreplaceable products for body vitality.
- Eat more green vegetables, fresh fruits, drink green tea.
- Visit swimming pools, bathhouses and do water treatment at home (contrast bath, herbal bath).
- Adjust your sleeping and eating patterns.Eat according to the clock, sleep the required amount of time.
Prevention
Most types of viruses are harmless, but caution should be exercised, because the carrier of one infection is more easily infected with the second than a healthy person.HPV prevention includes a number of mandatory actions and procedures that must be performed by every adult, regardless of whether he is sexually active or not.What prevention methods can be used:
- Vaccination.Prevents the dangerous trend in the development of the virus, but not the infection with it.After vaccination, the possibility of infection should pass quickly and unnoticed.
- Condoms.They do not guarantee complete protection, because the particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.
- Control of sexual life.Constantly changing partners is a great possibility of infection.
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.Do not allow anyone, even people you know, to use your body towel or underwear.
- Frequent visits to gynecologists, urologists, and taking smears for tests.