Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly specific human infection from the family Papovaviridea, which has the ability to infect and transform epithelial cells.More than a hundred types of HPV have been identified, of which 35 infect the human urogenital tract, causing damage to the integrative epithelium of the skin and the mucous membrane of the genital organs.
Every sixth person is a papillomavirus carrier - this is shown in WHO data.The infection caused by the papilloma virus is a wart (condylomata) and belongs to the group of viral infectious diseases characterized by the appearance of papillomatous formations on the skin and mucous membranes.HPV is characterized by its chronic form with constant relapses.
reason
Why does human papillomavirus develop and what is it?The causative agent is a virus that affects the upper layer of the skin and the mucous membrane of the genitals.Transmission of these viruses is possible only from person to person;Infection occurs through contact with the skin or mucous membrane of a sick person.
Human papillomavirus infection can occur:
- During sexual intercourse.According to the International Medical Association, the papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, accounting for more than 60% of cases.
- In the east.The infection can be transmitted at birth from the mother to the newborn baby, which then leads to papillomavirus infection or laryngeal papillomatosis.
- By autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if basic hygiene rules are not respected: hair removal or shaving.
- With everyday tools.Human papillomavirus is very viable and can survive for a long time in the warm and moist environment of public places such as toilets, bathrooms, gyms and swimming pools.Infection occurs through various skin lesions directly through contact, use of personal hygiene items or in public places.
Different types of HPV cause or are involved in the development of:
- cervical dysplasia (62%);
- pre-invasive and invasive cervical cancer (38%);
- genital warts, urinary tract (51%);
- 10% of clinically healthy women are HPV carriers;
- In 85% of patients with typical genital warts of the external genitalia, the examination reveals additional foci of HPV infection of the vagina and cervix in severe and mild forms.
These data allow us to consider patients with genital tract infections by the human papillomavirus as a group at high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.
Distribution
The following classification applies:
- HPV, the manifestation of which are different types of warts (HPV 1-5):
- Plantar warts (callus-like appearance), these are HPV types 1-4;
- Flat warts are HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49;
- Common warts are HPV type 27.
- HPV types that affect the vulva, vagina, genitals, cervix and respiratory tract are HPV types 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35.
- HPV, whose lesion in the form of rashes is associated with the condition of a precancerous disease (HPV with high oncogenic risk), is HPV 39 and other types.
As you can see, these benign neoplasms can form in any part of the body:
- the neck;
- face;
- under the breast;
- in the armpit;
- in the genitals;
- in the mucous membrane of internal organs, oral and nasal cavities.
The need for treatment of human papillomavirus is due to the following fact.The species is an intracellular parasite incapable of independent reproduction.For these purposes, he uses the cells of the human body.The virus can parasitize for a long time, inserting its DNA into human chromosomes.Its obvious activation is observed against the background of reduced immunity.
Incubation period
The incubation period is long: from half a month to several years.Human papillomavirus infection is characterized by a hidden (latent) course.A person can be infected with several types of papillomavirus at the same time.Under the influence of various factors, the virus is activated, its reproduction increases and the disease enters the stage of clinical manifestations.
In most cases (up to 90%), self-healing occurs within 6-12 months, in other cases there is a long-term chronic relapse course with possible malignancy of the process (depending on the type of virus).
Symptoms of human papillomavirus
The human immune system is strong enough to overcome the virus at an early stage of its development.And in most cases the disease does not develop.However, over time, months, years or even decades, people may experience some symptoms of HPV infection.
There are several groups of diseases that are most often caused by HPV:
- wenThey are round growths, harder than the body, with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.The boundaries of the warts are very clearly defined and there are irregularly shaped warts.They are rough to the touch and can be of different colors.Most often they are formed in the places where the skin is most damaged: on the hands, knees or elbows.
- Plantar warts.They develop when infected with viruses of type 1 and 2 in those places where the shoes rub or press the feet.The skin at the site of the wart becomes thicker and the warts do not have clear boundaries.
- Condylomas acuminata- special warts that appear, as a rule, on the mucous membrane and skin of the genitals: the head of the penis and the skin of the foreskin in men, the skin of the lips in women.They can also appear on the bladder, urethra, cervix, vagina, skin around the anus, and in the mouth.From the outside, these genital warts look like small convex formations, their edges are uneven (they look like cauliflower).This disease is caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11.
- Bowenoid papulosis.Small, flat plaques of warts (somewhat similar to flat warts) appear around the genitals.It develops more often in men who constantly change sexual partners.Named according to types - 16, 18, 31, 33, 42, 48, 51, 54.
Any viral infection that is constantly present in the human body (and HPV is one of them) is activated only when immunity decreases.
Human papillomavirus: picture
To find out what the human papillomavirus looks like in various manifestations, we have prepared a photo.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus in women
The infection can occur in a latent form, or it can cause the development of genital papillomas.Genital warts are mostly seen in women between the ages of 15 and 30.
The main risk of developing a disease caused by types 16 and 18 is the development of cervical cancer.Cervical cancer reduces life expectancy by an average of 26 years.From the point of view of cancer development, only the virus that remains in the body for more than a year becomes dangerous.
Unfortunately, these diseases in women are often asymptomatic until the final stages, in which the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus in men
For men, the human papillomavirus is less dangerous than for women.Most often they are passive carriers.The chance of developing cancer is much lower.
HPV in men can cause genital warts on the foreskin, penis or frenulum.Such formations must be removed urgently, because they interfere not only with personal hygiene, but also with sexual activity.
Preventing
We list the main guidelines for the prevention of human papillomavirus infection:
- personal hygiene measures in public places;
- a healthy lifestyle that maintains immunity at a high level;
- accurate work and rest schedule;
- moderate physical training;
- intake of vitamins, fruits, juices;
- only one sexual partner (ideally);
- condom use during sexual intercourse.
Currently, there are vaccines against human papillomavirus.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Currently, there is no single antiviral drug that would cause the human papillomavirus to disappear from the body.
Different interferons and interferonogens can reduce existing condylomas, but do not reduce the frequency of new ones.Therefore, the main method of treatment of the human papillomavirus remains the removal of condylomas by chemical or surgical methods.
Here are the main methods for removing papilloma tissue:
- Radiosurgical.The radio wave electrode disrupts the tumor and clots the vessels.An antiseptic bandage is then required.
- Laser.Contactless and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, a crust remains, under which healing continues.Disadvantages: risk of relapse, high cost, need to polish the remaining scars.
- Electrocoagulation.In terms of efficiency, results and prices, the method is similar to the two previous methods.
- surgery.This is an operation under local anesthesia.
Before starting treatment, be sure to ask your doctor:
- What treatments are available at the clinic where you are being treated?
- How much does each type of treatment cost and what are the possible complications?
- Will the surgery be painful?
It should be emphasized that the removal of papillomas should not be considered a complete cure for human papillomavirus infection, since in this case the person does not cease to be a virus carrier, that is, papillary polyps may appear again within a few years.That is why, for preventive purposes, doctors recommend improving the health of the whole body as a whole.
Cryocoagulation
Cryocoagulation (liquid nitrogen cauterization) is a quick and effective method for treating genital warts.The procedure can be a little painful and uncomfortable, but this is rarely very bothersome to patients.
Cryocoagulation of condylomas is performed in several sessions over several weeks.Complete elimination of condylomas is observed in 75-80% of patients who underwent all procedures.
Recommendations for patients
You should not try to diagnose and treat human papillomavirus yourself.
- First you need to choose the right method.
- Secondly, there is always the risk of confusing genital warts with a malignant tumor.
It is better not to take risks and entrust your health to professionals - this will ensure you a long and happy sex life.Sexual activity during the treatment period for papillomavirus is stopped until complete recovery.It is necessary to examine and, if necessary, treat the partner.