One of the most common and most 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 persons.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 large group of viruses, which includes 27 species and about 500 strains (species).Most of them do not cause 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?
Papillomaviruses have been around for a very long time.The problem of deep treatment of the disease was not paid attention until it was proved that long-term HPV in women provokes the development of cervical cancer.Now this is the most common complication;in other cases warts, weakened immunity and malignant tumors include cancer of the vulva, penis and anus.The human papillomavirus is dangerous not only for the reproductive system: it can cause cancer of the head, lungs, neck and mucosal damage.
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 papilloma in the vagina;intrauterine contact is not a threat.In this case, the child will either get an infection of the genitals or the respiratory system.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous viruses of type 16 or 18, which cause cervical cancer, then it is recommended to have a caesarean section;Removal of papillomas during pregnancy is impossible.
Symptoms of HPV
In many cases, viral papilloma is asymptomatic, does not appear externally and passes by itself after some time.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 a greater 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 inside the vagina and external 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: they are yellow or pink papillomas that protrude slightly above the skin.Another unpleasant symptom of HPV in men is Bowen's disease: red plaque-like formations, growth 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 into sensitive, soft tissues, such as the uterus and vagina of a woman.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the organism, in these cases the development of malignant tumors occurs.Warts are obtained directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its impact on the skin from the inside.
Types of HPV
Precancerous conditions can be provoked by viruses of medium and high risk groups, papillomaviruses with low oncogenicity are harmless, their manifestations - warts - show negative biopsy results and do not harm health.Types of viral infection vary in degree of oncogenic risk, and lists are reviewed, supplemented, and changed regularly.Currently, the most dangerous types for women include 16 and 18;they are found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
HPV with high oncogenic risk
HPV with high oncogenic risk can be detected during testing after examination of warts.Such viruses are almost always associated with genital warts.This category includes such types of infection as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73. They are capable of provoking degeneration in the tissues they enter, thus causing cancer and other dangerous pathologies.
How is HPV transmitted?
Among the methods of transmission of HPV, sexual transmission is clearly the leader and penetration is not necessary;direct genital contact is sufficient.This has made the virus the second most sexually transmitted infection after herpes and is particularly common in poor countries with a low quality of life.All sexually active persons of any gender and age can be infected by papilloma.It can be present from birth and appear only at certain times.In what other ways is HPV transmitted?
- Direct physical 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: bathroom, swimming pool, gym, toilet.In such cases, the virus can be transmitted through scratches, cuts or direct contact with the mucous membrane.
- Infection of the baby during birth.In this case, both pulmonary papules and anogenital warts may appear.
Incubation period
Many people live with the disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while they are potential carriers 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, continues latently, viruses are activated due to various factors: reduced immunity, diseases, severe stress, after which they multiply and manifest themselves externally.
Diagnosing
The diagnosis is made when warts are detected on the body and different examination methods are used to determine the type of virus.Their choice depends on the location of the papillomas: anogenital formations require mandatory examination of the cervix, soles 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 canal.
- Colposcopy is a test for women that uses acetic acid: the surface of the mucosa is observed after its application.
- 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.
- Typing using 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 obvious symptoms.
ANALYSIS
Before the procedure, you should stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial drugs.HPV tests, for which swabs are taken from the vagina and urethra, are performed in specialized clinics and laboratories.Testing is contraindicated for women during menstruation and the first days after its end;men should not urinate two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists decipher the results and a test can be performed to detect antibodies.
Treatment of papillomavirus
The main question that worries patients is whether it is possible to cure HPV (papilloma) completely and permanently?Unfortunately not.In 90% of cases, the immune system copes on its own, but there are no effective methods for eliminating it from the body.Treatment comes down to removing warts, condylomas and possible consequences of the disease - benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium.Some medications 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 harbinger of dangerous diseases, so it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and do preventive checks if necessary.If condylomas are found on the body, there is no need to try to remove them yourself, this can cause even more serious consequences.When the treatment of papillomavirus in women is mentioned, it means removing the affected tissue, monitoring the growth and development of warts;General therapy can be used in case of infection with highly oncogenic HPV.Ways to eliminate 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: this is only a temporary measure that helps prevent the formation of malignant cells, and women need it because of the high likelihood of cervical cancer with HPV.After surgery, relapses or complications are possible in the form of damage to areas adjacent to those that were removed.With timely intervention, not only can cancer 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 a doctor, since all drugs perform only an auxiliary function and are not the main means of therapy.For the treatment of HPV in women, antiviral tablets and immunomodulatory drugs are used.How they help fight the disease:
- Antiviral: act directly on "foreign" cells in the body, increase the production of antibodies;may interfere with reproduction or have a stimulating effect on natural immune resources.
- immunomodulating: Immunomodulating drugs have the ability to cause non-specific resistance - increased resistance and protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.It has a number of side effects, it must be used in doses.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: help to remove condylomas and warts in the anogenital area.Before use, you must 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 will need surgery on the cervix if condylomas have formed there and cleaning of the entire vagina, since no medicine eliminates the virus.They can only help to 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.When treating strains 16.18 in women, drugs 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 drug that is available in the form of ampoules for injection.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.
Increased immunity with HPV
What is HPV, besides papillomas, oncology and dysplasia of the uterus?This means critically reduced immunity, susceptibility to all seasonal infections and a difficult recovery period.The artificial and natural increase of immunity is also important to give the body strength and ability to fight the infection itself.For this there are special medications, medicinal preparations and traditional methods.How you can increase your immunity:
- A complex of useful vitamins and trace elements.
- Drugs: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Mild medicines: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose, walnuts, honey, citrus fruits are irreplaceable products for the vitality of the body.
- Eat more green vegetables, fresh fruits, drink green tea.
- Visit the pool, the spa and perform water treatments at home (contrast showers, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleeping and eating patterns.Eat according to the clock, sleep the necessary time.
Preventing
Most types of the virus are harmless, but care must be taken, because a carrier of one infection can be infected with a second one more easily than a healthy person.HPV prevention includes a series of mandatory actions and procedures that every adult should perform, regardless of whether they are sexually active or not.What preventive methods can be used:
- Vaccination.Prevents dangerous trends in the development of the virus, but not infection with it.After vaccination, possible infection should pass quickly and unnoticed.
- Condoms.They do not guarantee complete protection, since its particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they reduce the risk of transmission of infection to a minimum.
- Control of sex life.Constant change of partners is the greatest likelihood of infection.
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.Don't let anyone, even people you know, use your body towel or underwear.
- Regular visits to the gynecologist, urologist and taking tests for analysis.