More than 60% of the world's population is thought to be a carrier of human papillomavirus infection. It is mainly spread by contact. Human papillomavirus (HPV) manifests in the form of characteristic tumors on the skin or mucous membranes against the background of a weakened immune system. In rare cases, such growing cells degenerate into malignant cells.
What is HPV
Human papillomavirus is one of the pathological types of infections that cause tumors to appear in the body. Outgrowths are formed from epithelial tissue. The virus infects the body of people of any age and gender.
HPV can be acquired through contact with an infected person, through the use of household items, in the womb, and during childbirth.
To prevent HPV, get vaccinated before sexual activity begins; during adulthood, control of sexual activity and personal hygiene is required.
For treatment, antiviral, immunomodulatory drugs are prescribed; 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 HPV invades the body, it disrupts cell division, leading to warts.
When HPV is infected, it's mainly about determining the type of virus, as the non-carcinogenic strains don't pose any danger to humans, they just spoil the appearance, and when activated, can cause papillomas to form on the body.
Carcinogenic pathogens are dangerous for the development of malignant tumors.
The only way to not get infected with this papilloma virus and prevent cervical cancer is to get vaccinated.
Vaccines are given to girls and girls before sexual activity begins.
Carcinogenic viruses are viruses that infect the female or male genitals. First, papillomaviruses in the form of genital warts can cause cervical cancer or the appearance of malignant tumors in the uterus.
Statistical data
According to statistics, 15-50 people per 100, 000 people in the world are diagnosed with HPV infection. About 60% of people are carriers of the virus. 30% of infected people do not even suspect they have a dangerous disease.
Young people aged 18-28 are more susceptible to viral infections. Teenage girls make up about 82 percent of active sexual activity.
Papillomavirus is detected in 93% of diagnosed cancers affecting the anus or genitals. In addition, in 60% of cases, the infection occurred through accidental sexual contact.
HPV type 16 causes cancer in 41-54% of people.
Furthermore, statistics confirm that 90% of women may be carriers of active HPV, but only 20% of patients are diagnosed with cervical cancer after 5 years.
In 90% of the papillomavirus population, 11 and 6 were detected, belonging to low-risk groups.
Also, in about 95% of cases, experts note that the body can handle the virus on its own for about 2 years.
symptom
Papillomaviruses appear on the body when immunity is weakened by exposure to external or internal factors. The nature of clinical manifestations during HPV infection depends on the latter strain and tumor localization.
Among the common papillomaviruses, condyloma acuminatum is the most prominent. It has the following characteristics:
- Light pink;
- A thin leg is present, with condyloma acuminatum attached to the body.
In the case of condyloma acuminatum, a fluid with an unpleasant odor is secreted. This type of tumor grows painlessly.
The main location of condyloma acuminatum is the perineum. With lesions of the genital organs, patients worry about itching and burning.
Infection of the laryngeal mucosa results in the appearance of flat papilloma on its surface. The development of this pathological form is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing;
- swallowing problems;
- hoarse voice;
- persistent cough.
Papillomas located in the mucous membrane of the throat tend to grow rapidly and cause suffocation (asphyxia).
Viral infections also manifest as:
- common wart. Occurs due to poor sanitation. The body normally suppresses the activity of this virus on its own.
- flat wart. Growths are small tumors up to 3 mm in diameter. More common on the front of the head.
Papillomavirus type 18 is considered dangerous. It develops on the genitals of both men and women, causing many tumors to appear on the mucosal surface.
This type of pathogen spreads rapidly throughout the body against the background of weakened immunity, affecting internal structures. In addition, HPV 18 is prone to malignancy.
Papillomavirus infection of the female reproductive organs can cause bleeding unrelated to menstruation. The infection usually penetrates the uterine cavity and causes local cell degeneration. About 98% of women with genital cancers will develop malignancies due to exposure to HPV.
how it spread
Papillomavirus infection occurs in the following ways:
- pass throughhousehold products. The use of combs, towels, slippers or clothing of an infected carrier can lead to the spread of papillomavirus.
- existcontact directly. This also applies to cases of sexual intimacy. Even with condoms, the possibility of infection remains.
- autoinfection. The virus spreads from one part of the body to another.
- From mother to childthrough the placenta.
The virus enters the human body through open wounds and mucous membranes. However, infections do not always occur.
A strong immune system suppresses the infection and prevents it from spreading throughout the body.
Risk areas for developing papillomas on the body include people diagnosed with:
- hormone imbalance;
- endocrine diseases;
- Chronic or acute disease of internal organs;
- vitamin deficiency;
- Pregnant.
Mental or physical overwork and severe stress can also lead to decreased immunity, which increases the likelihood of contracting papillomavirus.
how to get rid of
Human papillomaviruses have specific clinical manifestations. Therefore, treatment is usually based only on the results of external examination of the problem area.
Additional testing is required when the malignant nature of the tumor is suspected and to differentiate between HPV and secondary syphilis.
Diagnosis of papillomavirus by:
- learnbiological secretpatient;
- colposcopy(for female genital lesions);
- cytology andHistological analysisMaterial taken from the surface of condyloma acuminatum;
- polymerase methodchain reaction, which can detect the presence of HPV in patients;
- methodhybrid, with which the carcinogenicity level of tumor cells is determined.
HPV is not "afraid" of the effects of modern antiviral drugs. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to eliminate external signs of infection.
Conservative treatment is prescribed if:
- no condyloma acuminatum;
- The color and size of the papilloma remain the same;
- The amount of growth did not increase.
It is recommended to combat the manifestations of the virus with the help of topical preparations.
At the same time as the topical treatment of warts, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system. For this purpose, immunomodulators or vitamin complexes are suitable.
For genital warts and papillomas that are prone to regenerate, additional procedures are performed:
- laser coagulation. This method is considered harmless to the body. The laser beam is narrowly focused on the papilloma, burning through layers of tissue. After surgery, there will be no bleeding and other unpleasant phenomena in the treated area.
- Freeze damage. This procedure involves treating the tumor with liquid nitrogen. The substance freezes the growing tissue and the papilloma sloughs off.
- Surgery. When the tumor is diagnosed to be highly carcinogenic.
Human papillomavirus is usually not a threat. It can cause warts and other tumors in the body. Some of these growths regenerate easily, so patients with these types of papillomas should be checked regularly by their doctor.