Human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.It is unlikely that there is a person who has never heard of him, because today, according to the latest data, 12% of the world population (this is around 660 million people) are infected with HPV.
The situation is falling under the definition of an epidemic.It is for this reason that we will discover what HPV is, how it manifests and what can be dangerous.
What is HPV?
It is worth noting that viruses are wandering genes, they have a kind of intelligence.The academic Koznacheev said at a time that approximately two tons of "viral-bacteria" mass "pass through the human body throughout his life.All these processes, of course, affect the work of genes.
The infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) is detected at least once in a life in most sexually active people.The highest prevalence is observed in women aged 20 to 24 and men aged 25 to 29.Among the reasons that affect the propagation of HPV include socio -economic, behavioral and medical and hygienic factors.
How HPV is manifested
HPV (the Papillomaviridae family) causes skin damage and a mucous membrane.At the same time, its immune barrier is lower, which finally leads to an increase in the inflammatory process.In other words, when entering the body, the virus causes the growth of lower cells that is not controlled by the immune system, which clearly manifests in the form of papillomas, warts and candilics in the skin.Another "approach" of the manifestation of this virus is the uterus.This organ is a type of "escape tube" in the body, since it serves as a direct indicator of existing problems in the body (if there is, the conception process is impossible or difficult).Human papillomavirus affects uterine mucosa and can cause oncology.
HPV types
Human papillomavirus can be divided into two categories: low oncogenic risk and high oncogenic risk.In most cases, with an infection caused by the low risk of HPV (1, 2, 3 and 4 types), the body faces on its own due to strong immunity.In rare cases, this type of infection causes the appearance of warts, benign papillomas, precancerous lesions and even cancer.In turn, VPVs are considered 16 and 18 of the types as biological carcinogens for cervical, vulva, vagina, penis, year and oropharynx.
Depending on the manifestations of HPV infection in the genitals, the latent, subclinical and clinical forms are distinguished:
- The latent form of HPV infection, despite the presence of DNA of the virus, is not accompanied by morphological changes in the affected tissue.It is possible to determine the asymptomatic presence of this type of infection using molecular biological methods, for which it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the epithelium of the cervix, the vagina and the vulva.With this form, a specific treatment is not required.
- Subclinical forms of HPV infection (which occur, as a rule, asymptomatic) can be determined in colposcopy and cytological or histological examination.Most of the vaginal flat vagina remains asymptomatic, but they can often cause itching, vaginal secretion or spots after sexual relationship.
- The clinical form of infection, that doctors have to face more frequently, manifests mainly in the form of warts and papillary formations that occur, as a rule, in wounded places in sexual contacts.Its additional appearance and relapses are associated with the weakening of general and local immunity.An important nuance is that from the moment of infection to the appearance of warts can pass several weeks to several years.The average time between infection and its appearance is 11-12 months in men and up to six months in young women.
Cervical cancer: How dangerous is it?
To understand how common and dangerous this disease is, it is enough to study the numbers.Around 530 thousand cases of cervical cancer (RSM) are recorded annually in the world;It is in fourth place in the world in the prevalence of cancer in women.If we consider the structure of mortality in women under 45, the death of cervical cancer is first.
How can I infect HPV?
The most common form of infection is vaginal and oral sexual contacts, even without penetration.
Even the contact of a moment with an 80% probability leads to infection.It is also possible to infect with oral sexual contact.A child can get a mother virus during childbirth.
Girls who have not reached puberty are at greater risk.
The specificity of the virus is such that most men and women are infected at the beginning of sexual activity, and some are repeatedly infected.
Is infection always the disease?
In a group of people under 30 of 90% of cases, the infection ends with an independent cure.The remaining 10% goes to the chronic stage, which can go to cervical cancer.This process is very stretched over time: from the moment of infection to the development of oncology, 5-20 years pass.And cancer does not happen "suddenly," is preceded by precancerous diseases.Therefore, with a careful attitude towards your health, the disease can be warned or identified in the early stages.
Cervical cancer in the early stages may not appear symptomatically.Therefore, it is very important to regularly visit the gynecologist and perform all the recommended exams.Extremely carefully all women should be treated with bloody secretion, secretion with an unpleasant smell, pain in the lower abdomen.
How is HPV and RSM diagnosed?
The diagnostic system is highly developed today and allows you to achieve high precision in the early stages.First, detection tests are used, including a cytological examination of the cervix, high oncogenic risk tests and expanded colposcopy.
It is recommended to carry out the annual cervix projection to all women aged 21 to 69.Cytological research for women aged 21 to 29 takes place every 3 years, and from 30 to 69 years, every 5 years.HPV tests are carried out as prescribed by a doctor depending on the results of strokes.
HPV prevention and treatment
It is better to prevent any disease to treat, and in the case of HPV, doctors and patients have all the possibilities of this.As primary prevention today, vaccination can be recommended.The importance of this vaccination is evidenced at least by the fact that in many countries it is included in the national vaccination calendar.In addition, they reach all boys, both girls and boys.And the experience of such vaccination has already accumulated, there is data on effectiveness.In particular, Australia Health Minister said that by 2020, Australia will become the first country with zero zero cervical cancer, precisely due to mass vaccination since 2007.
Like other viruses, HPV can be eliminated using several immunostimulant products, such as calcoster, cat claw, shark hepatic fat, as well as stimulate the body with several microelements: calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, selenium, iron.These trace elements improve immunity and favorably affect body protection against HPV.There is a statement that in the case of HPV in the body, a matrix area (the first papilloma that emerged under the influence of the virus) is formed, and if it burns and eliminates, and the probability of appearance of new ones is significantly reduced.With a recurring course of the disease, it is recommended to use systemic immunomodulatory agents, in particular interferons.