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 the 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 that includes 27 species and about 500 strains (species).Most of them do not cause pathologies in the human body, they exist imperceptibly, 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.Until it was proved that long-term HPV causes the development of cervical cancer in women, the problem of deep treatment of the disease was not paid attention to.Now this is the most common complication;other cases show warts, weakened immunity, and malignancies include cancer of the vulva, penis, and anus.Human papillomavirus is dangerous not only for the reproductive system: it can cause head, lung, neck cancer, damage to mucous membranes.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
The interaction between papillomavirus and pregnancy should be constantly monitored by a doctor: the disease can be transmitted to the child only if there are papillomas in the vagina;intrauterine connection is not dangerous.In this case, the child will 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 causes cervical cancer, then it is recommended to perform a cesarean section;It is impossible to remove papillomas during pregnancy.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papilloma is asymptomatic, is not visible from the outside, and passes by itself after a while.The degree of severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.When papillomas appear on the body, people discover a problem - small cone-shaped warts are considered HPV symptoms.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
In women, HPV manifests itself in the form of condylomas - small pointed or flat body structures on the inside of the vagina and on the outer lips.Single or multiple warts can appear in 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 legs, hands, face and under the head.When infected with a dangerous virus, papulosis of the penis and testicles is possible: yellow or pink papillomas that stand just 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 infection: when entering the body, the virus is localized in the lower layers of the epithelium;it is easiest to penetrate sensitive, soft tissues such as a woman's uterus and vagina.It lives with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in which cases the development of malignant tumors occurs.Warts are obtained directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its effect 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.The types of viral infection differ in the degree of oncogenic risk, and the lists are regularly reviewed, supplemented and changed.Currently, the most dangerous strains for women are 16 and 18;found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
High oncogenic risk HPV
High oncogenic risk HPV can be detected during testing after examining warts.Such viruses are almost always accompanied by genital warts.This category includes infection strains such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73.They can cause degeneration in the tissues they enter, thereby 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 contact of the genitals is sufficient.This has made the virus the second most common sexually transmitted infection after herpes, and is particularly common in poor countries with poor quality of life.All sexually active people of any gender and age can be 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 in public places for a while after sick people visit them;It is especially active in suitable humid environment: bathroom, swimming pool, gym, toilet.In such cases, the virus can be transmitted through scrapes, cuts, or direct contact with mucous membranes.
- Infection of the baby during birth.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 unaware of its existence, while they are potential carriers if they have sex.The incubation period of HPV is very long, so the disease is often overlooked.It lasts from 5 months to several years, it continues secretly, the viruses are activated due to various factors: reduced immunity, illness, severe stress, after which they multiply and manifest themselves abroad.
Diagnostics
When a wart is found on the body, it is diagnosed and various 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, plantar and other papillomas, histological examination and blood tests are required.What diagnostic methods can doctors use:
- Cytological examination - analysis of scraps from the cervix and uterine canal.
- Colposcopy is a test for women using acetic acid: the surface of the mucous membrane is observed after its application.
- A biopsy is the removal of a skin sample to identify cancer cells.It is used for men and women with highly oncogenic HPV.
- Species determination using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - DNA and nucleic acids are examined.
- Histological examination.
- Vaginal screening test is an accurate way to detect precancerous and cancerous diseases in women without visible symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you should stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial drugs.HPV tests, where smears are taken from the vagina and urethra, are performed in specialized clinics and laboratories.The test is contraindicated for women during menstruation and in the first days after it ends;men should not urinate two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists interpret the results and a test can be performed to detect antibodies.
Treatment of papillomavirus
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 boils down 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 infection and speed up the tissue repair process.
Treatment in women
In women, human papillomavirus infection can be a harbinger of dangerous diseases, so it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and, if necessary, carry out preventive examinations.If condylomas are found on the body, you should not try to remove them yourself, this can lead to more serious consequences.When mentioning the treatment of papillomavirus in women, they mean 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 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 because of the high probability of cervical cancer with HPV.After the operation, relapses or complications in the form of damage to the areas adjacent to the removed ones are possible.With timely intervention, not only cancer can be prevented, but also uterine surgery can be performed without harming reproduction and women's health.
Drug treatment of HPV in women
Treatment of papillomavirus with drugs occurs only after drugs are prescribed by a doctor, because all drugs perform only an auxiliary function and are not the main means of therapy.Antiviral tablets and immunomodulators are used to treat HPV in women.How they help against disease:
- Antiviral: has a direct effect 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 non-specific resistance - resistance and increased protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.It has a number of side effects and should be used in moderation.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: helps to get rid of 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 that causes warts, you will need surgery on the cervix and the entire vagina will need to be cleaned, because no medication will remove the virus.They can only help slow or stop its spread.After surgery, effective immunostimulating antiviral drugs are used to quickly adapt the body to a healthy state and prevent relapses.When treating 16.18 strains in women, drugs are prescribed to reduce existing condylomas before surgery:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
Injections
To eliminate external symptoms, if the papillomas are not oncogenic, injections are prescribed.There is a drug available in the form of injection ampoules.It can be used for both therapeutic and preventive purposes;no side effects or contraindications.It helps to get rid of warts without surgery and significantly increase the remission period.
Boosting 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 strengthening of immunity is also important to give the body strength and ability to fight infection.There are special drugs, medicinal preparations and traditional methods for this.How you can strengthen your immunity:
- A complex of useful vitamins and trace elements.
- Medicines: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft drugs: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hip, walnut, honey, citrus fruits are indispensable products for the vitality of the body.
- Eat more green vegetables, fresh fruits, drink green tea.
- Visit the pool, bathhouse and perform water procedures at home (contrast showers, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleeping and eating patterns.Eat on time, sleep at the right time.
Prevention
Most types of the virus are harmless, but care must be taken because a carrier of one infection can get a second infection more easily than a healthy person.Prevention of HPV includes a number of mandatory actions and procedures that every adult should perform, regardless of whether or not they have sex.What preventive methods can be used:
- Vaccination.Prevents dangerous trends in the development of the virus, but infection with it.Possible infection after vaccination should pass quickly and imperceptibly.
- Condoms.They do not guarantee complete protection, because its particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they minimize the risk of transmission of infection.
- Control of sexual life.Constantly changing partners is the greatest possibility of infection.
- Observance of personal hygiene rules.Don't let anyone, even people you know, use your body towel or underwear.
- Regular visits to the gynecologist, urologist and taking smears for tests.