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 spreads in many ways, has several types, and threatens all sexually active people.How to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, what to do if you detect a virus 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 (types).Most of them are not associated with pathologies in the human body, they exist unnoticed and without complications, but some types are potentially dangerous.They can cause a variety of diseases, including oncology, reproductive dysfunction and HIV.
Why is it dangerous?
Papillomaviruses have been around for a very long time.Attention was not paid to the problem of in-depth treatment of the disease until it was proven that long-term HPV provokes the development of cervical cancer in women.Now this is the most common complication;in other cases, warts, weakened immunity are observed, and malignancies include cancer of the vulva, penis, and anus.The human papillomavirus is not only dangerous for the reproductive system: it can cause head, lung, neck cancer, and mucosal damage.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
The interaction between the papillomavirus and pregnancy must be constantly monitored by the doctor: the disease can be transmitted to the child only if there are papillomas in the vagina;intrauterine contact is not dangerous.In this case, the child gets an infection of the genitals or the respiratory system.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous types 16 or 18 viruses that cause cervical cancer, a caesarean section is recommended;It is impossible to remove papillomas during pregnancy.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papilloma is asymptomatic, does not appear externally, and disappears on its own after a while.The degree of severity depends on the type and characteristics of the virus.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, there is a decrease in immunity, a decline in the body's defense functions, and an increased susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases.
In women
In women, HPV manifests itself in the form of condylomas - small pointed or flat body formations on the inside of the vagina and on the outer labia.One or more warts can appear on different parts of the body: limbs, head, neck.They are mostly painless, small and cause more psychological and aesthetic discomfort.
For men
In men, papillomas appear on the soles, hands, face and head.In case of infection with a dangerous virus, papulosis of the penis and testicles is possible: 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 most easily penetrates vulnerable, soft tissues such as a woman's uterus and vagina.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in which case malignant tumors develop.Warts result directly from the intracellular activity of the virus, its effect on the skin from the inside.
HPV types
The precancerous condition can be provoked by viruses belonging to the 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 infections differ in the degree of oncogenic risk, the lists are regularly revised, supplemented and changed.Currently, the most dangerous tribes for women include the 16th and 18th;they are found in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
High oncogenic risk HPV
HPV with a high oncogenic risk can be detected during the examination after examining the warts.Such viruses are almost always accompanied by condylomas on the genitals.This category includes strains of infection such as 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73. They are able to cause degeneration in the tissues they enter, causing cancer and other dangerous pathologies.
How is HPV spread?
Among the ways of transmission of HPV, sexual transmission is clearly at the forefront, 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 low standards of living.Sexually active people of all genders and ages can become infected with papillomas.It can be present from birth and only appears at certain times.What other ways is HPV spread?
- Direct physical contact.The virus can live in public places for a while after sick people have visited them;especially active in suitable humid environments: bath, swimming pool, gym, toilet.In such cases, the virus can spread through abrasions, cuts or direct contact with mucous membranes.
- Infant infection during delivery.In this case, both pulmonary papulosis and anogenital warts may occur.
Latency period
Many people live with the disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while sexually active carriers of the disease can be.HPV has a very long incubation period, so the disease often goes unnoticed.It lasts from 5 months to several years, it progresses latently, the viruses are activated under the influence of various factors: reduced immunity, illness, severe stress, and then multiply and manifest themselves externally.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is made when warts are detected on the body, and various test 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 and other papillomas require a histological examination and a blood test.What diagnostic methods can doctors use:
- Cytological examination - analysis of scrapings from the cervix and uterine canal.
- Colposcopy is a test for women using acetic acid: after application, the surface of the mucous membrane is observed.
- A biopsy is the removal of a skin sample to identify cancer cells.It is used for men and women with highly oncogenic HPV.
- Type determination by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - DNA and nucleic acids are tested.
- Histological examination.
- Vaginal screening is an accurate method for detecting precancerous and cancerous conditions in women without visible symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you must stop taking antiviral and antibacterial drugs.HPV tests, for which swabs are taken from the vagina and urethra, are performed in special clinics and laboratories.Testing is contraindicated for women during menstruation and in the first days after the end of menstruation;men should not urinate two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists interpret the results and a test to detect antibodies can be performed.
Treatment of papillomavirus
The main question that concerns patients is whether it is possible to cure HPV (papilloma) completely and forever?Unfortunately not.In 90% of cases, the immune system copes with it on its own, but there is no effective way to remove it from the body.The treatment is aimed at removing warts, condylomas and the possible consequences of the disease - benign or malignant tumors, damaged epithelium.Some medicines 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 you should regularly visit the gynecologist and, if necessary, perform preventive tests.If condylomas are found on the body, it is not necessary to remove them with your own hands, this can lead to even more serious consequences.When mentioning the treatment of papillomavirus in women, it means 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 is not 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 associated with HPV.After surgery, relapses or complications are possible in the form of damage to areas adjacent to the removed areas.With timely intervention, not only cancer can be avoided, but also hysterectomy can be performed without harming reproduction and women's health.
Treatment of HPV in women with medication
Drug treatment of the papillomavirus is carried out only after the drugs prescribed by the doctor, since all drugs have only an auxiliary function and are not the main means of therapy.Antiviral pills and immunomodulatory drugs are used to treat HPV in women.How they help to fight the disease:
- Anti virus: acts directly on the body's "foreign" cells, increases the production of antibodies;it can interfere with reproduction or have a stimulating effect on natural immune resources.
- Immunomodulatory: Immunomodulating drugs can cause non-specific resistance - resistance and increased protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.It has many side effects and must be used in dosage.
- Rectal and anal plugs: helps get rid of condylomas and warts in the anogenital area.Before use, the area must be treated with a special disinfectant.
Treatment of strains 16, 18 in women with drugs
If you have an oncogenic type of virus, you need surgery on the cervix, if condylomas have developed there, and cleaning of the entire vagina, since no medication can eliminate 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 to prevent relapses.When treating strains 16.18 in women, drugs are prescribed to reduce existing condylomas before surgery:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
Injections
In order to eliminate external signs, if the papillomas are not oncogenic, injections are prescribed.There is a drug that is available in the form of injection ampoules.It can be used for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes;no side effects or contraindications.It helps to get rid of warts without surgery and significantly increases the period of remission.
Strengthening immunity with HPV
What is besides HPV, papillomas, oncology and uterine dysplasia?This means critically reduced immunity, susceptibility to all seasonal infections and a difficult recovery period.Both artificial and natural enhancement of immunity is important to give the body strength and be able to fight infections on its own.Special drugs, medicinal preparations and traditional methods are available for this.Here's how you can strengthen your immunity:
- Complex of useful vitamins and microelements.
- Medicines: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft medicines: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radishes, rose hips, walnuts, honey, citrus fruits are irreplaceable products for the body's vitality.
- Eat more green vegetables, fresh fruit, drink green tea.
- Visit the pool, spa, do home water treatments (contrast shower, herbal bath).
- Change your sleeping and eating habits.Eat according to the clock, sleep as long as necessary.
Prevention
The majority of viruses are harmless, but care must be taken because a carrier of one infection can be infected with another more easily than a healthy person.HPV prevention includes a number of mandatory measures and procedures that all adults should perform, regardless of whether they are sexually active or not.What preventive methods can be used:
- Vaccination.It prevents the dangerous tendencies of the virus to develop, but not the infection.After vaccination, possible infection should pass quickly and unnoticed.
- Condom.They do not guarantee complete protection, since its particles are very small and can penetrate the material, but in most cases they minimize the risk of transmission of infection.
- Controlling your sex life.Constantly changing partners is the greatest possibility of infection.
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.Do not allow anyone, even people you know, to use your towel or underwear.
- Regular visits to gynecologists and urologists, taking smears for examinations.