HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a collective name for a group of DNA viruses transmitted from person to person and provoking the development of benign neoplasms - papillomas. Some varieties are oncogenic (that is, they increase the risk of malignant tumors). HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, which kills thousands of women worldwide every year. However, these viruses also affect the development of other cancers: not only in women, but also in men.

HPV does not manifest itself as symptoms for a long time: patients often learn about it only when precancerous conditions or cancer develop. HPV is a threat to patients of any gender and age, including young children. But still, its main "target audience" is people 15-30 years old: they are sexually active, not always thinking about precautions, and in most cases HPV is transmitted sexually.

To prevent the impact of the virus on the body from going so far, it is recommended to regularly check your health status: to exclude pathologies that it can cause. There are also tests for HPV to detect the presence of oncogenic strains. Take care of your health right now: make an appointment at the Otradnoe Polyclinic and visit a doctor's consultation without having to wait in queues or adjust to an inconvenient time for you

What is HPV

Human papillomaviruses, entering the body through microtraumas of the skin, are introduced into the cells of the basal layer of the epithelium. HPV can exist in any layer of the epidermis. However, its reproduction occurs exclusively in the basal layer.

The development of the virus occurs in 2 stages:

1. Reproductive - the virus enters the cell without affecting its chromosomes, and multiplies.
2. Integrative - HPV is introduced into the genome of an infected cell.

It is during the second stage that the virus transforms cells. They begin to actively divide, and tumor-like formations - papillomas - appear. These are papillary growths protruding above the surface of the skin (that's why they are called: papilloma - from the Latin papilla - nipple and Greek oma - tumor). The second stage does not always occur. The virus, being in the first stage of development, is able to regress (leave the body). However, even if the patient does not have pathological changes, he is a carrier of HPV and is able to infect other people.

The incubation period can last from 3 weeks to a year. On average, it is 3 months. In some cases, non-genital forms of papillomas first appear, and then neoplasms appear on the genitals.

In most cases, the body copes with the virus within 2 years. However, re-infection can occur - with the same or a different strain. Also, papillomas or other skin manifestations are able to regress after 6-8 months (gradually decrease and subsequently disappear). This happens when the immune system suppresses the virus and "survives" it from the cells.

The HPV virus most often affects the skin and mucous membranes:

• Anogenital area.
• Upper respiratory tract.
• Oral cavity.
• Bronchus.
• Conjunctives.
• Rectum.
• Esophagus.

HPV types

The first human papilloma virus (HPV) was isolated in 1971. And the scientist Harald zur Hausen was able to identify and prove the connection between HPV and cervical cancer. Subsequently, he received the Nobel Prize for his discoveries.

About 600 different HPV strains are known to date. Some provoke the appearance of warts, others - genital warts, and others - papillomas. There are also types among HPV that affect the development of cancerous tumors. They are called oncogenic. Fortunately, there are not many of them. They can have low, medium or high oncogenic potential:

1. Strains 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70, 72, 81 are characterized by low oncogenicity.
2. Average oncogenicity in types 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66.
3. High oncogenic potential in strains 16, 18, 39, 45, 56, 59, 68, 73, 82.

Cervical cancer is mostly caused by types 16 and 18.

Help!The presence of an oncogenic HPV type in the body does not mean that a person is "sentenced" to cancer. The presence of the virus increases the risk of developing cancer, but is not the only reason for their occurrence.If a patient has an oncogenic HPV strain, he just needs to carefully monitor his health, regularly undergo preventive examinations. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe appropriate therapy for him.

The reproductive system of women and men is capable of infecting about 40 types of papillomaviruses. The result of their activity is not only cancer, but also genital warts or condylomas.

Help!Cancer tumors develop slowly: within 5-30 years after infection with papillomavirus. They are preceded by precancerous conditions (benign neoplasms that can degenerate into malignant). That is why it is so important to regularly undergo preventive examinations. And precancerous conditions, and even cancer in the initial stages are perfectly treatable, and dangerous consequences can be avoided.

HPV transmission paths

The main "condition" for infection is the presence of microdamages (wounds, cracks, scratches) of the skin or mucous membranes. They are the “gates” for HPV.

Most often, the transmission of the virus occurs when the skin or mucous membranes of two people come into contact. Therefore, the main route of papillomaviruses is sexual contact. Moreover, the use of condoms does not exclude the possibility of infection. The virus can be transmitted through oral sex, during which contraception is not always used. In addition, a condom does not cover the entire surface of the penis, and is often worn in the middle of sexual intercourse. HPV can also be contracted by kissing.

HPV can also be transmitted:

• From mother to child as the baby passes through the birth canal.
• At home: when using other people's hygiene products (towels, toothbrushes, shaving accessories).
• In public places: saunas, gyms, swimming pools.

Help!The survival time of papillomaviruses in the external environment is short. Therefore, the risk of domestic infection, although there is, is much lower than with sexual contact.

Self-infection is also possible: the transfer of the virus from one part of the body to another during depilation, combing the skin, biting nails.

Infection by contact with a virus does not occur in all cases. The following factors increase the risk:

• Decreased immunity.
• Bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse.
• Stress.
• Sexually transmitted infections.
• Diseases of the urinary system.
• Injuries to the skin and mucous membranes.
• Immunodeficiency states.
• Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.

Help!Oncogenic HPV strains are more dangerous for women than for men, as they become infected with them more often.

HPV: symptoms

Papillomaviruses are capable of absolutely no symptoms for a long time. Usually, the patient learns about the presence of HPV already with the development of its consequences: the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts. In some cases, the following signs may indicate the presence of a virus:

• Redness, skin growths (most often in the genital area);
• Itching.
• Pain and other discomfort during or after intercourse.

What diseases can HPV cause?

Papillomaviruses, first of all, provoke the growth of papillomas, warts and warts in patients of both sexes. All of the above neoplasms can occur on any part of the body. However, most often they affect the genitals and the anal region. In women, they occur in the vulva, cervix, and vagina. In men - the scrotum, the head of the penis, the foreskin. In patients of both sexes, neoplasms often appear in the anus.

Also, warts often appear on the soles, larynx, vocal cords. Papillomas (flesh-colored papillomas) do not have a "favorite place" - they can appear on the trunk, neck, face, arms and legs. In children and adolescents, flat warts are most common (they are also called youthful or juvenile). These are small (3-5 mm) dark neoplasms that protrude slightly above the skin surface. Most often they occur on the back of the hands, face, legs.

As for cancer, most patients are associated with HPV, first of all, cervical cancer. Indeed, this pathology is very common in our time. However, in women, HPV also often provokes the development of cancer of the vagina and vulva (65-70% of cases), in men - cancer of the penis (50% of cases). Also in women and men, papillomaviruses can contribute to the occurrence of malignant tumors:

• rectum;
• oral cavity;
• larynx.

In children, HPV, as a rule, is manifested by the growth of papillomas against the background of a decrease in immunity due to previous diseases, usually viral or bacterial infections. Also, papillomaviruses infect young patients suffering from allergic reactions or frequent colds.

HPV and pregnancy

Papillomaviruses negatively affect female fertility. If they are present, the likelihood of pregnancy is halved, since HPV can interfere with the implantation of a fertilized egg. If the partner is also infected with the virus (which happens in 65-70% of cases), then the possibility of conception decreases even more. HPV has a negative effect on sperm motility.

When pregnancy occurs, papillomavirus increases the risk of developing:

• Little or polyhydramnios.
• Chronic placental insufficiency.
• HPV can also cause miscarriage.

Therefore, pregnant women are prescribed sparing drug therapy, which can significantly reduce all of the above risks.

When a child passes through the birth canal, there is a risk of infection. Therefore, women with HPV are preferable to give birth by caesarean section - the risk of transmission of the virus is reduced by 5 times.

Changes in the hormonal background provoke the rapid growth of genital warts. They can grow together, which can cause difficulties in the acts of urination and defecation, deliver unpleasant sensations when walking, bleeding. During childbirth, neoplasms are easily injured. They can also make it difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal. To avoid all this, genital warts are treated early in pregnancy. Methods such as cryodestruction, laser surgery, etc. are used.

Diagnostics

To diagnose HPV, they first consult a physician. Depending on the manifestations of the virus, he will refer the patient to diagnostic studies and to a narrow specialist (gynecologist, urologist, dermatologist, oncologist, proctologist, etc. ).

Both women and men may be assigned examinations such as:

• ELISA blood test - according to its results, it is impossible to determine the concentration and oncogenicity of the virus, but antibodies to it can be detected, the method is ideal for early diagnosis, when symptoms have not yet appeared.
• PCR diagnostics - allows you to detect HPV DNA, that is, it allows you to know exactly whether there is a virus in the body or not; blood, saliva, discharge from the genitals, etc. are taken for analysis.
• Digene-test - allows you to assess the degree of oncogenicity of a strain, to establish the amount of virus in the body; the biomaterial is a piece of tissue, scraping from the cervical canal, vagina or urethra.

Women are prescribed the following types of examination:

• Cytological examination (PAP test) - examination of a smear from the vagina under a microscope in order to identify cells altered by the virus.
• Colposcopy - examination of the cervix using a colposcope device, this procedure is assigned to the patient if altered cells were found according to the results of cytological examination.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for HPV (that is, aimed at destroying it). However, you can take measures to suppress the activity of the virus and increase the likelihood of self-healing. The patient is prescribed:

• Vitamins.
• Immunomodulators.
• Antiviral drugs.

Symptomatic treatment is also carried out - removal of neoplasms. In no case should you try to treat condylomas, papillomas and warts with folk remedies. There is a risk of provoking the development of a secondary infection or the degeneration of a benign tumor into a malignant one.

The following methods are used to eliminate neoplasms:

• Removal with a scalpel.
• Cryodestruction (freezing with liquid nitrogen).
• Removal with a radio knife.
• Laser removal.
• Electrocoagulation.

The method is chosen by the doctor depending on the nature and location of the neoplasm, as well as the state of the patient's body.

Prevention

Preventive methods include maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular strengthening of immunity with the help of a full and varied diet, moderate physical activity, and quality rest. It is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene, not to use other people's accessories. To avoid the risk of infection, you should refrain from casual sex and use barrier contraception.

Also nowadays there is a possibility of vaccination against some highly oncogenic HPV strains. Vaccinations are recommended between the ages of 9 and 26 (the optimal age is 11-12 years). Women can be vaccinated after 26 years, but only if the gynecologist believes that there is evidence. It should be borne in mind that vaccination does not cure a virus already present in the body, but prevents infection with some of its especially dangerous types.