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 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 figure it 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 entail pathologies in the human body, they go unnoticed, without complications, but some types are potentially dangerous.They can cause various diseases, including oncology, reproductive dysfunction, and HIV.
Why is it dangerous?
Papillomaviruses have been around for a long time.The problem of deep treatment of the disease was not paid attention until it was shown that prolonged HPV in women provokes the development of cervical cancer.This is the most common complication;In other cases, warts, weakened immunity and malignant tumors such as cancer of the vulva, penis and anus are observed.The human papillomavirus is dangerous not only for the reproductive system: it can cause cancer of the head, lung, neck, and damage to the mucous membranes.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
A doctor must constantly monitor the interaction between the papillomavirus and pregnancy: the disease can be transmitted to a child only if there are papillomas in the vagina;intrauterine contact does not pose a threat.In this case, the child will receive an infection of the genitals or respiratory system.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous viruses type 16 or 18, which cause cervical cancer, it is recommended to undergo a cesarean section;It is impossible to remove papillomas during pregnancy.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, the viral papilloma is asymptomatic, does not appear externally and disappears on its own after a while.The degree of severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.People discover a problem when papillomas appear on the body - small cone-shaped warts, which are considered symptoms of HPV.Almost always, when the body is infected, a decrease in immunity, a decrease in the body's protective functions and an increased susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases can be observed.
in women
HPV in women manifests itself in the form of condylomas: small pointed or flat body formations on the inside of the vagina and outer lips.Single or multiple warts can appear on different parts of the body: extremities, head, neck.Most of them are 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: these are yellow or pink papillomas that stand out 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 papillomas can be considered the pathogenesis of the infection: when it enters the body, the virus is localized in the lower layers of the epithelium;It is easier for it to penetrate soft and vulnerable tissues, such as the female 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 arise directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its influence on the skin from the inside.
HPV types
Precancerous conditions can be provoked by viruses of medium and high risk groups, low-oncogenic papillomaviruses are harmless, their manifestations (warts) show negative biopsy results and do not harm health.Types of viral infection differ in the degree of oncogenic risk and the lists are periodically reviewed, supplemented and modified.At the moment, the most dangerous strains for women include 16 and 18;They are found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
high oncogenic risk HPV
Oncogenic high-risk HPV can be detected during testing after examining warts.These viruses are almost always accompanied by condylomas on the genitals.This category includes infection strains such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73. They are capable of causing degeneration in the tissues they enter, 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 necessary;Direct contact of the genitals is sufficient.This has made the virus the second most common sexually transmitted infection after herpes, and it is especially common in poor countries with a low quality of life.All sexually active people of any sex and age can become infected with papilloma.It can 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 have visited them;It is especially active in a suitable humid environment: bathhouse, swimming pool, gym, bathroom.In such cases, the virus can be transmitted through abrasions, cuts, or direct contact with the mucous membrane.
- Infection of a baby during childbirth.In this case, both pulmonary papulosis and anogenital warts may occur.
Incubation period
Many people live with the disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while they are potential carriers of it if they are sexually active.The incubation period for HPV is very long, so the disease often goes unnoticed.It lasts from 5 months to several years, proceeds latently, viruses are activated due to various factors: decreased immunity, illness, severe stress, after which they multiply and manifest themselves externally.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is carried out when warts are detected on the body and various examination methods are used to determine the type of virus.Their choice depends on the location of the papillomas: anogenital formations require a mandatory examination of the cervix, plantar papillomas and others require histological examination and blood tests.What diagnostic methods can doctors use?
- Cytological examination: analysis of scrapings from the cervix and uterine canal.
- Colposcopy is a test for women that uses acetic acid: the surface of the mucosa is observed after its application.
- Biopsy is the removal of a sample of skin to identify cancer cells.It is used in men and women with highly oncogenic HPV.
- Type determination by PCR (polymerase chain reaction): DNA and nucleic acids are examined.
- Histological examination.
- A vaginal screening test is an accurate way to detect precancerous and cancerous conditions in women without visible symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you should stop taking antiviral and antibacterial medications.HPV tests, for which swabs are taken from the vagina and urethra, are performed in specialized clinics and laboratories.Tests are contraindicated for women during menstruation and the first days after their end;Men should not urinate for two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists decipher the results and a test can be performed to detect antibodies.
Papillomavirus treatment
The main question that worries patients is whether it is possible to cure HPV (papilloma) completely and forever.Unfortunately no.In 90% of cases, the immune system takes care of itself, but there are no effective methods to eliminate it from the body.Treatment is reduced to the removal of warts, condylomas and possible consequences of the disease: benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium.Some medications are used to help the body fight infections and speed up the tissue repair process.
Treatment in women
Human papillomavirus infection in women can be a harbinger of dangerous diseases, so it is necessary to periodically visit a gynecologist and carry out preventive checks if necessary.If condylomas are found on the body, you do not need to try to remove them yourself, this can lead to even more serious consequences.When the treatment of papillomavirus in women is mentioned, they refer to removing the affected tissue, monitoring the growth and development of warts;General therapy can be used in case of highly oncogenic HPV infection.Ways to remove papillomas:
- surgery;
- chemical cauterization;
- laser removal (carbon dioxide, neodymium beam);
- destruction of the concentration of affected cells with liquid nitrogen;
- electrocoagulation.
Removal of condylomas and warts does not mean a cure: it is only a temporary measure that helps prevent the formation of malignant cells, and women need it due to the high probability of developing cervical cancer with HPV.After surgery, relapses or complications in the form of damage to areas adjacent to those removed are possible.With timely intervention, not only can cancer be avoided, but uterine surgery can also be performed without harming reproduction or the woman's health.
Treatment of HPV in women with medications.
Treatment of papillomavirus with drugs occurs only after they are prescribed by a doctor, since all drugs perform only an auxiliary function and are not the main means of therapy.To treat HPV in women, antiviral tablets and immunomodulatory drugs are used.How do they help fight the disease?
- antivirus: acts directly on "foreign" cells in the body, increases the production of antibodies;may interfere with reproduction or have a stimulating effect on natural immune resources.
- Immunomodulator: Immunomodulatory drugs have the ability to cause nonspecific resistance: resistance and increased protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.There are a number of side effects, it must be used in doses.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: helps eliminate condylomas and warts in the anogenital area.Before use, it is necessary to treat the area with a special disinfectant.
Treatment of strains 16, 18 in women with drugs.
If you have a type of oncogenic virus, you will need surgery on the cervix if condylomas have formed there and a cleaning of the entire vagina, since no medication 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 relapses.In the treatment of 16.18 strains in women, medications are prescribed to reduce existing condylomas before surgery:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
Injections
To eliminate external signs, when papillomas are not oncogenic, injections are prescribed.There is a medication that is available in the form of injectable ampoules.It can be used for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes;There are no side effects or contraindications.It helps to get rid of warts without surgery and significantly increase the remission period.
Increase immunity with HPV
What is HPV, besides papillomas, oncology and uterine dysplasia?This means critically reduced immunity, susceptibility to all seasonal infections and a difficult recovery period.Artificial and natural enhancement of immunity is also important to give the body strength and ability to fight infections on its own.For this there are special medications, medicinal preparations and traditional methods.How you can increase your immunity:
- A complex of vitamins and useful microelements.
- Drugs: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft medicines: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hips, walnuts, honey, citrus fruits are irreplaceable products for the vitality of the body.
- Eat more vegetables, fresh fruits and drink green tea.
- Visit the pool, bathhouse and do water treatments at home (contrast showers, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleeping and eating patterns.Eat according to the clock, sleep as long as necessary.
Prevention
Most types of viruses are harmless, but caution should be used, because a carrier of one infection can more easily become infected with a second infection than a healthy person.HPV prevention includes a series of mandatory actions and procedures that every adult must perform, regardless of whether they are sexually active or not.What preventive methods can be used:
- Vaccination.It prevents dangerous trends in the development of the virus, but not infection with it.After vaccination, a possible infection should pass quickly and unnoticed.
- Condoms.They do not guarantee complete protection, since their particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they reduce the risk of transmitting infections to a minimum.
- Control of sexual life.Constantly changing partners is the highest probability of infection.
- Compliance with personal hygiene standards.Don't let anyone, even acquaintances, use your body towel or underwear.
- Periodic visits to the gynecologist, urologist and taking smears for analysis.