One of the most common and dangerous sexually transmitted diseases is human papillomavirus or HPV: it can cause warts, various diseases and genital cancer.The disease is transmitted in many ways, has many types and threatens all sexually active people.How to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, what to do if a virus is detected and how to treat papillomas - we will try to find out.
What is human papillomavirus?
Human papillomavirus is a huge group of viruses, including 27 species and about 500 strains (types).Most of them do not cause pathologies in the human body, they exist unnoticed, without complications, but some types are potentially dangerous.They can cause many different diseases, including cancer, reproductive dysfunction and HIV.
Why is it dangerous?
Papillomavirus has been around for a long time.The issue of pest treatment was not considered until it was proven that long-term HPV infection in women stimulates the development of cervical cancer.Now this is the most common complication;in other cases, warts, weakened immunity, and malignant tumors including vulvar, penile, and anal cancers are observed.Human papillomavirus is not only dangerous 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 are papillomas in the vagina;Intrauterine exposure does not pose a hazard.In this case, the child will have an infection of the genitals or respiratory system.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous types 16 or 18 viruses that cause cervical cancer, she should have a cesarean section;Removing papillomas during pregnancy is impossible.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papillomas have no symptoms, do not show any external manifestations, and disappear on their own after a period of time.Severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.A problem is discovered when papillomas appear on the body - small cone-shaped warts, which are considered symptoms of the HPV virus.Almost always, when the body is infected, one can observe a decrease in immunity, a deterioration in the body's protective functions and increased susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases.
In women
HPV in women appears as warts - small pointed or flat growths on the inside of the vagina and the outer labia.Single warts or multiple warts can appear on different parts of the body: limbs, head, neck.They are mostly painless, small, and cause more psychological and cosmetic discomfort.
In men
In men, papillomas appear on the soles of the feet, hands, face and head.When infected with a dangerous virus, papules on the penis and testicles may occur: these are yellow or pink papules that stand out slightly on the skin.Another unpleasant symptom of HPV in men is Bowen's disease: the formation of red patches that grow on the head of the penis.
Causes of papillomas
The cause of papilloma can be considered the pathogenesis of infection: when entering the body, the virus will localize in the lower layers of the epithelium;it easily penetrates soft, vulnerable tissues, such as a woman's uterus and vagina.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in these cases the development of malignant tumors occurs.Warts appear directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its effect on the skin from the inside.
types of viruses
Precancerous conditions can be provoked by viruses of the medium and high risk groups, papilloma viruses with low oncogenic potential are harmless, their manifestations - warts - give a negative biopsy result and do not harm health.Types of viral infections vary in their degree of carcinogenic risk and the list is regularly reviewed, supplemented and changed.Currently, the most dangerous strains for women include strains 16 and 18;they are found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
HPV has a high risk of causing cancer
High-risk HPV can be detected during testing after checking for warts.Such viruses are almost always accompanied by warts on the genitals.This type includes infectious strains such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73. They have the ability to cause degeneration of the tissues they invade, thereby causing cancer and other dangerous diseases.
How is HPV transmitted?
Among the methods of HPV transmission, sexual transmission is clearly the leader and does not require penetration;Direct contact with the genitals is enough.This makes the virus the second most common sexually transmitted disease after herpes and is especially common in poor countries with a low quality of life.Sexually active people of all genders and ages can be infected with papillomas.It can be present from birth and only appear at certain times.In what other ways is HPV transmitted?
- Direct body contact.The virus can survive for some time in public places after a sick person visits;It especially works in suitable wet environments: bathrooms, swimming pools, gyms, toilets.In such cases, the virus can be transmitted through scratches, cuts or direct contact with mucous membranes.
- Infection of the baby during birth.In this case, both papules and genital warts can occur.
Incubation period
Many people live with this disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while they are likely to be carriers of the disease if they are sexually active.The incubation period of HPV is very long, so the disease often goes unnoticed.It lasts from 5 months to several years, takes place silently, viruses are activated due to various factors: reduced immunity, illness, severe stress, then they multiply and manifest themselves.
Diagnose
Diagnosis is made 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: genital papilloma requires mandatory examination of the cervix, plantar papilloma and other papillomas require histological examination and blood tests.What diagnostic methods can doctors use:
- Cytological examination - analysis of scratches from the cervix and uterine tube.
- Colposcopy is a test for women using acetic acid: the surface of the mucous membrane is observed after use.
- A biopsy is the removal of a sample of skin to identify cancer cells.It is used for men and women infected with highly cancer-causing viruses.
- Determination of type by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - DNA and nucleic acids are tested.
- Histological examination.
- Vaginal screening tests are an accurate way to detect precancerous and cancerous conditions in women without obvious symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you must stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial medications.HPV tests, in which smears are taken from the vagina and urethra, are performed in clinics and specialized laboratories.Testing is contraindicated for women during menstruation and the first days after the end of menstruation;Men should not urinate for two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists will interpret the results and may perform an antibody detection test.
Papillomavirus treatment
The main question that patients are interested in is whether it is possible to cure HPV (papilloma) completely and forever?Unfortunately no.In 90% of cases, the immune system copes on its own but there are no effective methods to remove it from the body.Treatment is focused on eliminating warts, warts and possible consequences of the disease - benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium.Certain medications are used to help the body fight infection and speed up tissue repair.
Treatment in women
Human papillomavirus infection in women can be a harbinger of dangerous diseases, so it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and have preventive examinations if necessary.If warts are detected on the body, it is not necessary to remove them yourself, this can cause more serious consequences.When it comes to treating papillomavirus in women it means removing the affected tissue, monitoring the growth and development of the warts;General therapy may be used in cases of highly oncogenic viral infections.Ways to remove papillomas:
- surgery;
- chemical burning;
- laser removal (carbon dioxide, neodymium beam);
- Concentration destruction of affected cells with liquid nitrogen;
- electric condenser.
Removal of warts and warts does not mean 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 due to HPV infection.After surgery, recurrence or complications can occur in the form of lesions in areas adjacent to those that were excised.With timely intervention, not only can cancer be avoided, but uterine surgery can also be performed without harming women's fertility and health.
Treat HPV in women with medication
Treatment of papillomavirus with drugs occurs only after the drug is prescribed by a doctor, since all drugs perform only an auxiliary function and are not the main treatment method.To treat HPV in women, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators are used.How they help fight the disease:
- Antiviral drugs: directly affects "foreign" cells in the body, increasing antibody production;can interfere with reproduction or stimulate natural sources of immunity.
- immune regulation: Immunomodulating drugs have the ability to cause non-specific drug resistance and increase the body's ability to protect and regenerate damaged tissues.There are some side effects, the correct dosage must be used.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: helps remove warts and genital warts in the anal area.Before use, you need to treat the skin area with a special antiseptic.
Treatment of strains 16 and 18 in women with medication
If you have a cancer-causing virus, you will need surgery on the cervix if a tumor has formed there and a complete cleaning of the vagina because there are no medications that can remove the virus.They can only help slow or stop its spread.Antiviral drugs with immunostimulating effects are used to quickly adjust the body to a healthy state after surgery and prevent relapse.When treating strain 16.18 in women, medication is prescribed to reduce existing warts before surgery:
- interferon;
- interferonogen.
Injectable drugs
To eliminate external signs, when the papilloma does not cause cancer, injections are indicated.There is a medicine available in syringe form.It can be used for both treatment and prevention purposes;There are no side effects or contraindications.It helps remove warts without surgery and significantly increases remission time.
Enhance immunity to HPV
Besides papillomas, cancer and uterine dysplasia, what is HPV?This means severely weakened immunity, susceptibility to seasonal infections, and difficult recovery times.Artificial and natural immunity enhancement is also important to give the body the strength and ability to fight infections on its own.For this, there are special drugs, medicinal preparations and traditional methods.How you can boost your immunity:
- A complex of useful vitamins and trace elements.
- Medicines: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft medicine: ginseng, wild chrysanthemum.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hips, walnuts, honey, citrus fruits are irreplaceable products for the vitality of the body.
- Eat lots of green vegetables, fresh fruits, drink green tea.
- Visit the swimming pool, bathhouse and carry out hydrotherapy treatments at home (contrast baths, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleep and eating patterns.Eat according to schedule, sleep enough time as required.
prevent
Most viruses are harmless, but caution is needed because carriers can more easily become infected with a second virus than healthy people.HPV prevention includes a number of mandatory actions and procedures that every adult must perform, regardless of whether the person is sexually active or not.What prevention methods can be used:
- Vaccination.Prevents dangerous trends in virus growth, but not virus infection.After vaccination, the possibility of infection will pass quickly and unnoticed.
- Condom.They do not guarantee complete protection because their particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.
- Control your sex life Constantly changing partners is the highest risk of infection.
- Comply with personal hygiene rules.Don't let anyone, even people you know, use your towel or underwear.
- Regularly visit a gynecologist and urologist and take samples for testing.