More than 60% of the world's population is infected with human papillomavirus. It spreads mainly by contact. Human papillomavirus (HPV) occurs in the form of tumors on the skin or mucous membranes that characterize the weakened immune system. In rare cases, the cells of such growths degenerate into malignancies.
What is HPV
Human papillomavirus is a type of infectious pathology that triggers the appearance of neoplasms in the body. Increases are formed in the epithelial tissue. The virus infects the bodies of people of all ages and genders.
HPV can be transmitted through contact with an infected person, using household items, within the womb, or during childbirth.
To prevent HPV, a vaccine should be given before sexual activity begins, and sexual activity and personal hygiene should be monitored in adulthood.
Antiviral immunomodulatory drugs are prescribed for treatment; existing skin growths are removed.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most viruses do not pose a threat to human life and health. It affects only the basal layer of the dermis. When it enters the human body, HPV disrupts cell division, leading to the appearance of warts.
In the case of HPV infection, the most important thing is to determine the type of virus, because non-oncogenic strains do not pose a threat to humans, they only worsen the appearance when activated, leading to the development of papillomas in the body.
Oncogenic pathogens are dangerous for the development of malignancies.
The only way to avoid getting infected with such papillomavirus and prevent cervical cancer is through vaccination.
The vaccine is given to girls and girls before they start having sex.
Oncogenic viruses are viruses that infect the genitals of women or men. In the first, the papillomavirus, which manifests as genital warts, causes cervical cancer or the appearance of a malignant tumor in the uterus.
Statistics
According to statistics, the incidence of HPV is diagnosed in 15 to 50 people per 100, 000 people worldwide. About 60% of people are carriers of the virus. 30% of those infected do not even suspect that they are suffering from a dangerous disease.
Young people aged 18-28 are more likely to be affected by a viral infection. Teenage girls make up about 82% of an active sex life.
Papillomavirus is detected in 93% of confirmed cancers of the anus or genitals. In addition, in 60% of cases, the infection occurs through accidental sexual contact.
HPV type 16 causes cancer in 41-54% of people.
Statistics also confirm that 90% of women may be active carriers of HPV, but cervical cancer is only diagnosed in 20% of patients after 5 years.
90% of the papillomavirus population have 11 and 6 species in the low-risk group.
In addition, in about 95% of situations, experts note that the body is independent of the virus for about 2 years.
Symptoms
Papillomavirus appears in the body in cases where exposure to external or internal factors has led to a decrease in immunity. The nature of the clinical picture in HPV infection depends on the latter strain and the localization of the tumors.
Of the common forms of papillomavirus, genital warts stand out. It can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- pale pink;
- the presence of a thin leg with which the condyloma is attached to the body.
When condylomas occur, an unpleasant-smelling fluid is excreted. These types of neoplasms grow painlessly.
The main area of localization of genital warts is the perineum. In the case of genital lesions, patients are worried about itching and burning.
Infection of the laryngeal mucosa leads to the appearance of flat papillomas on its surface. The development of this form of pathology is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- difficulty breathing;
- swallowing problems;
- hoarse voice;
- persistent cough.
Papillomas localized on the laryngeal mucosa tend to grow rapidly, causing suffocation (suffocation).
The virus infection also takes the following forms:
- Vulgar warts. It occurs due to poor hygiene. The body often suppresses the activity of these types of viruses on its own.
- flat warts. The growths are small neoplasms up to 3 mm in diameter. It is more often located on the front of the head.
Papillomavirus type 18 is considered dangerous. It develops in the genitals of men and women, provoking the appearance of many tumors on the surface of the mucosa.
This type of pathogen spreads rapidly in the body against the background of weakened immunity and affects the internal structures. In addition, HPV 18 is prone to malignancies.
Defeat of the female genitals with papillomavirus causes bleeding that is not related to menstruation. The infection often penetrates the uterine cavity and contributes to the degeneration of local cells. Approximately 98% of women with cancer of the reproductive organs develop malignancy as a result of exposure to HPV.
How they are transmitted
Infection with papillomavirus occurs in the following ways:
- OverHousehold goods. The use of combs, towels, slippers, or clothing used as a carrier of the infection contributes to the spread of the papillomavirus.
- Atdirect connection. This also applies to cases of sexual intimacy. The possibility of infection also exists when using a condom.
- Auto-infection. The virus is transferred from one part of the body to another.
- From mother to childthrough the placenta.
The virus enters the body through open wounds and mucous membranes. However, infection does not always occur.
Strong immunity suppresses the infection, preventing it from spreading throughout the body.
The risk zone for developing papillomas in the body includes people who have been diagnosed with:
- hormonal imbalance;
- endocrine pathologies;
- chronic or acute diseases of the internal organs;
- vitamin deficiency;
- pregnancy.
Mental or physical overtime, severe stress, also contributes to a decrease in immunity, which increases the likelihood of papillomavirus infection.
How to get rid of it
The human papillomavirus has a specific clinical picture. Therefore, treatment is often prescribed only on the basis of the results of an external examination of the problem area.
Further investigation is needed if the malignancy of the tumor is suspected and to differentiate between HPV and secondary syphilis.
Diagnosis of papillomavirus by the following methods:
- studybiological secretthe patient;
- colposcopy(used for changes in the female genitals);
- cytology andhistological analysismaterial taken from the surface of the condyloma;
- polymerase methodchain reaction, which allows the detection of the presence of HPV in the patient's body;
- methodhybridizationto determine the level of oncogenicity of tumor cells.
HPV is not "afraid" of the effects of modern antiviral drugs. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to eliminate the external signs of infection.
Conservative therapy is prescribed if:
- non-genital warts;
- the color and size of the papilloma remain unchanged;
- the number of increases does not increase.
It is recommended to control the manifestations of the virus with the help of topical preparations.
Strengthening the immune system is recommended at the same time as topical treatment of warts. Immunomodulators or vitamin complexes are suitable for this purpose.
Other manipulations are performed on genital warts and papillomas that are prone to rebirth:
- Laser coagulation. The method is considered harmless to the body. The laser beam, which is narrowly focused on the papilloma, burns its tissues in layers. After the procedure, bleeding and other unpleasant phenomena do not occur in the treatment area.
- Cryodestruction. The method involves treating the tumors with liquid nitrogen. The substance freezes the growth tissue and the papilloma falls off.
- Surgical removal. It is performed in cases where high oncogenicity of the tumor is diagnosed.
Human papillomavirus is often not a threat. It causes warts and other tumors to appear on the body. Some of these growths are prone to rebirth, so patients with such papillomas should be examined regularly by a doctor.