One of the most common and dangerous sexually transmitted infections is the human papillomavirus, or HPV: it can cause warts, various diseases, and genital cancers.This infection is spread in many ways, comes in many types, and threatens all sexually active people.How to protect yourself and your loved ones from infection, what to do if the virus is detected and how to treat papilloma - we'll try to find out.
What is human papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus is a huge group of viruses, including 27 species and about 500 strains (types).Most of them cause no lesions in the body, their presence goes unnoticed and there are no complications, but some types are potentially dangerous.They can cause a variety of diseases, including tumors, reproductive dysfunction, and HIV.
Why is it dangerous?
Papillomaviruses have been around for a long time.It was not until it was proven that long-term HPV infection in women can cause cervical cancer that the issue of in-depth treatment of the disease received attention.This is the most common complication; in other cases, warts, reduced immunity, and malignancies, including vulvar, penile, and anal cancer, occur.Human papillomavirus isn't just harmful to the reproductive system: It can also cause cancer of the head, lungs, and neck, as well as damage to mucous membranes.
Papillomavirus and pregnancy
The interaction between papillomavirus and pregnancy must be continuously monitored by doctors: the disease can be transmitted to the child only if papillomas are present in the vagina; intrauterine exposure does not pose a threat.In this case, the child can develop a genital or respiratory infection.If a woman is infected with one of the dangerous viruses type 16 or 18, which can cause cervical cancer, then a caesarean section is recommended; it is not possible to remove papillomas during pregnancy.
HPV symptoms
In many cases, viral papillomas are asymptomatic, do not appear externally, and disappear on their own after a period of time.Severity depends on the type of virus and its characteristics.One problem people notice when papillomas appear on the body are small, cone-shaped warts, which are thought to be a symptom of HPV.Almost always, when the body becomes infected, people will find that their immunity is reduced, the body's protective functions are reduced, and they are more susceptible to colds and infectious diseases.
among women
HPV in women appears in the form of genital warts - small spike-like or flat body structures inside the vagina and outside the labia.Single or multiple warts can appear on different parts of the body: limbs, head, neck.They are mostly painless, smaller, and cause more psychological and aesthetic discomfort.
among men
In men, papillomas appear on the soles of the feet, hands, face, and head.When infected with a dangerous virus, the penis and testicles may develop papulosis: yellow or pink papillomas slightly raised above the skin.Another unpleasant symptom of HPV in men is Bowen's disease: a red, patchy structure that appears on the head of the penis.
causes of papilloma
The cause of papilloma can be considered to be the pathogenesis of infection: when the virus enters the body, it is located in the lower layer of the epithelium; it most easily penetrates into fragile soft tissues, such as the female uterus and vagina.It coexists with cells or interferes with DNA and causes changes in the body, in which case malignant tumors develop.Warts are obtained directly from the activity of intracellular viruses, which affect the skin from the inside.
HPV types
Viruses in intermediate- and high-risk groups may cause precancerous lesions. Papillomaviruses of low carcinogenicity are harmless and their manifestations - warts - have negative biopsy results and do not pose a health risk.Types of viral infections carry varying degrees of cancer risk, and the list is regularly reviewed, supplemented, and changed.Currently, the most dangerous strains for women include types 16 and 18; they are present in 90% of cervical cancer cases.
High cancer risk HPV
High-risk HPV can be detected during testing after checking for warts.This type of virus is almost always accompanied by genital warts.This category includes infectious strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73, etc.They can cause degeneration of the tissue they enter, leading to cancer and other dangerous pathologies.
How is HPV spread?
Sexual transmission is clearly the dominant mode of HPV transmission, and penetrative transmission is not necessary; direct contact with the genitals is sufficient.This makes the virus the second most common sexually transmitted infection after herpes, and is especially common in poor countries where quality of life is low.All sexually active people, regardless of gender and age, can get papillomas.It may be present from birth and appear only at certain times.In what other ways does HPV spread?
- Direct physical contact.The virus can survive in public places for a period of time after the patient has been there; it is especially active in environments that are suitable for moisture: bathhouses, swimming pools, gyms, toilets.In this case, the virus can be spread through abrasions, cuts, or direct contact with mucous membranes.
- The baby becomes infected during delivery.In this condition, both pulmonary papulosis and anogenital warts may occur.
incubation period
Many people have had the disease for a long time and are unaware that it exists, but if they are sexually active, they are potential carriers.HPV has a long incubation period, so the disease is often overlooked.During the incubation period, which lasts from 5 months to several years, the virus is activated due to various factors such as weakened immunity, illness, severe stress, etc., and then reproduces and manifests externally.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is made when warts are found on the body, and in order to determine the type of virus, various tests are available.Their choice depends on the location of the papilloma: anogenital structures require mandatory examination of the cervix, soles, other papillomas require histological examination and blood tests.What diagnostic methods doctors can use:
- Cytology - analysis of scrapings from the cervix and uterine canal.
- Colposcopy is an examination of women using acetic acid: the mucosal surface is observed after the application of acetic acid.
- A biopsy is the removal of a sample of skin to identify cancer cells.It is used in men and women with highly cancer-causing HPV.
- Type determination using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) - checks DNA and nucleic acids.
- Histological examination.
- Vaginal screening tests are an accurate way to detect precancerous and cancerous conditions in women who have no obvious symptoms.
analyze
You must stop taking any antiviral and antibacterial medications before surgery.HPV testing requires smears from the vagina and urethra and is performed at specialized clinics and laboratories.Women are prohibited from taking the test during menstruation and in the first few days after menstruation; men should not urinate within two hours before surgery.A doctor, urologist or oncologist interprets the results and can perform an antibody test.
Papillomavirus Treatment
The main question that patients are concerned about is whether it is possible to completely and permanently cure HPV (papilloma)?Unfortunately no.In 90% of cases, the immune system can handle it on its own, but there is no effective way to eliminate it from the body.Treatment boils down to the removal of warts, genital warts 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 tissue repair process.
women's treatment
Human papillomavirus infection in women can be a harbinger of dangerous diseases, so it is necessary to visit a gynecologist regularly and, if necessary, for preventive examinations.If genital warts are found on the body, there is no need to try to remove them yourself, as this may lead to more serious consequences.When referring to treatment for female papillomavirus, they mean removal of affected tissue, monitoring for the growth and development of warts, and general treatment if infected with highly oncogenic HPV.Ways to get rid of papillomas:
- Surgery;
- chemical cautery;
- Laser removal (carbon dioxide, neodymium beam);
- Concentration to destroy affected cells with liquid nitrogen;
- Electrocoagulation.
Removing genital warts and warts does not mean a cure: it 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 from HPV infection.After surgery, recurrence or complications may occur in the form of damage adjacent to the resection area.With timely intervention, not only can cancer be avoided, but uterine surgery can be performed without harming reproduction and women's health.
Treating HPV in women with drugs
Drug treatment of papillomavirus can only be carried out after being prescribed by a doctor, because all drugs only play an auxiliary role and are not the main treatment.To treat HPV in women, antiviral pills and immune-modulating drugs are available.How they help fight the disease:
- Antiviral: Acts directly on "foreign" cells in the body, increasing the production of antibodies; may interfere with reproduction or stimulate natural immune resources.
- Immunomodulation: Immunomodulatory drugs have the ability to cause non-specific resistance - resistance and increased protection of the body, regeneration of damaged tissues.It has many side effects and must be used according to the dosage.
- Rectal and vaginal suppositories: Helps eliminate genital warts and genital warts in the anogenital area.Before use, the area needs to be treated with a special disinfectant.
Treating Female 16, 18 Strains with Drugs
If you are infected with a cancer-causing virus, you will need to have surgery on your cervix and clean the entire vagina if genital warts have developed, as there are no medications that can eliminate the virus.They can only help slow or stop its spread.Antiviral drugs with immune-stimulating effects are used after surgery to quickly adapt the body to a healthy state and prevent recurrence.When treating women with the 16.18 strain, medications should be prescribed before surgery to reduce existing genital warts:
- interferons;
- interferons.
injection
In order to eliminate external symptoms, injections are needed when the papilloma is not cancerous.One medication is available in the form of an injection ampoule.It can be used for both therapeutic and preventive purposes; there are no side effects or contraindications.It helps remove warts without surgery and significantly prolongs the relief period.
Boost HPV immunity
What is HPV besides papillomas, tumors and uterine dysplasia?This means severely reduced immunity, susceptibility to all seasonal infections and a difficult recovery period.Artificial and natural immune enhancement is also important in order to give the body strength and its own ability to fight off infections.For this, there are special medicines, medicinal preparations and traditional methods.How to boost your immunity:
- A complex of useful vitamins and trace elements.
- Medications: Immunomodulators and antivirals.
- Soft medicine: ginseng, echinacea.
- Ginger, lemon, echinacea, radish, rose hips, walnuts, honey, and citrus fruits are irreplaceable ingredients for physical vitality.
- Eat more green vegetables, fresh fruits, and drink green tea.
- Visit swimming pools, bathhouses, and perform water treatments at home (vs. showers, herbal baths).
- Adjust your sleeping and eating habits.Eat according to your biological clock and sleep at the prescribed time.
prevention
Most types of viruses are harmless, but caution should be exercised because carriers of one infection are more susceptible to a second virus than healthy people.HPV prevention includes many mandatory actions and procedures that every adult must perform, regardless of whether he is sexually active or not.What prevention methods can be used:
- Vaccination.Dangerous trends in viral development can be prevented, but infection cannot be prevented.After vaccination, possible infections disappear quickly and are not easily noticeable.
- condom.They do not guarantee complete protection as their particles are very small and can penetrate materials, but in most cases they minimize the risk of infection transmission.
- Control your sex life.Constantly changing partners increases the risk of infection.
- Follow personal hygiene rules.Don't allow anyone, even someone you know, to use your bath towel or underwear.
- See your gynecologist, urologist regularly, and get smear tests.