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 a virus is detected and how to treat papillomas - we’ll try to figure it out.
What is human papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus is a huge group of viruses, which includes 27 species and about 500 strains (types).Most of them do not entail pathologies 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 proven 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 are observed, and malignant tumors include cancer of the vulva, penis, and anus.Human papillomavirus is dangerous not only for the reproductive system: it can cause cancer of the head, lungs, neck, and damage to the mucous membranes.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
The interaction between papillomavirus and pregnancy must be constantly monitored by a doctor: the disease can be transmitted to a child only if there are papillomas in the vagina; intrauterine contact does not pose a threat.In this case, the child will receive either infection of the genitals or 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 cesarean section;Removing papillomas during pregnancy is impossible.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papilloma is asymptomatic, does not appear externally and goes away on its own 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, one can observe a decrease in immunity, a decline in the body’s protective functions, and a greater susceptibility to colds and infectious diseases.
In women
HPV in women manifests itself in the form of condylomas - small pointed or flat bodily formations on the inside of the vagina and outer 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: it is 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 infection: when it enters the body, the virus is localized in the lower layers of the epithelium; it is easiest for it to penetrate into vulnerable, soft tissues, such as the female uterus and vagina.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in these cases the development of malignant tumors occurs.Warts are obtained directly from the activity of the virus at the intracellular level, its influence 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.Types of viral infection differ in the degree of oncogenic risk, and the lists are regularly reviewed, supplemented and changed.At the moment, the most dangerous strains for women include the 16th and 18th; they are found in 90% of cases of cervical cancer.
High oncogenic risk HPV
High-oncogenic risk HPV can be detected during testing after examining warts.Such viruses are almost always accompanied by condylomas on the genitals.This category includes such strains 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 into which 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 especially common in poor countries with a low quality of life.All sexually active people of any gender and age can become infected with papilloma.It may be present from birth and only appear at certain times.In what other ways is HPV transmitted?
- Direct bodily 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: bathhouse, swimming pool, gym, toilet.In such cases, the virus can be transmitted through abrasions, cuts, or direct contact with the mucous membrane.
- Infection of a baby during childbirth.In this case, both pulmonary papulosis and anogenital warts can occur.
Incubation period
Many people live with the disease for a long time and are not aware of its presence, while they are potential carriers of it if they are sexually active.The incubation period of HPV is very long, which is why the disease often goes unnoticed.It lasts from 5 months to several years, proceeds latently, viruses are activated due to various factors: decreased immunity, illness, severe stress, after which they multiply and manifest themselves externally.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is carried out when warts are detected on the body, and in order to determine the type of virus, various examination methods are used.Their choice depends on the location of papillomas: anogenital formations require mandatory examination of the cervix, plantar 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 using acetic acid: the surface of the mucous membrane is observed after its application.
- Biopsy is the removal of a skin sample to identify cancerous cells.It is used for men and women with highly oncogenic HPV.
- Type determination 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 visible symptoms.
Analysis
Before the procedure, you must stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial drugs.HPV tests, for which smears are taken from the vagina and urethra, are carried out in specialized clinics and laboratories.Testing is contraindicated for women during menstruation and the first days after it ends; men should not urinate for two hours before the procedure.Doctors, urologists or oncologists decipher 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 no.In 90% of cases, the immune system copes on its own, but there are no effective methods for eliminating 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 process of tissue repair.
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 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 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 cancer can be avoided, but also uterine surgery can be performed without harm to 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 medications perform only an auxiliary function and are not the main means of therapy.To treat HPV in women, antiviral tablets and immunomodulatory drugs are used.How do 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.
- Immunomodulatory: Immunomodulatory drugs have the ability to cause nonspecific resistance - resistance and increased protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.There are a number of side effects, it must be used in dosage.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: help get rid of condylomas and warts in the anogenital area.Before use, you need to 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 cleansing of the entire vagina, since no medications eliminate the virus.They can only help to slow down 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 injection ampoules.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 period of remission.
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 enhancement of immunity is also important in order to give the body strength and the ability to fight infection on its own.For this, there are special medications, medicinal preparations and traditional methods.How you can boost your immunity:
- A complex of useful vitamins and microelements.
- Drugs: immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft medicines: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hips, 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, bathhouse, and perform water treatments at home (contrast showers, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleep and eating patterns.Eat according to the clock, sleep the required amount of time.
Prevention
Most types of the virus are harmless, but caution should be exercised, because a carrier of one infection can more easily become infected with a second than a healthy person.HPV prevention includes a number of mandatory actions and procedures that every adult must perform, regardless of whether he is 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 sexual life.Constantly changing partners is the greatest likelihood of infection.
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.Do not allow anyone, even people you know, to use your body towel or underwear.
- Regular visits to a gynecologist, urologist, and taking smears for tests.