Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly human-specific infection from the Papovaviridea family that has the ability to infect and transform epithelial cells.More than a hundred types of HPV have been identified, 35 of which cause damage to the integumentary epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the human urogenital tract and genitals.
Every sixth person is a carrier of the papillomavirus - this is shown in the data.The infection caused by the papilloma virus belongs to the group of viral-infectious diseases characterized by the appearance of warts (conditioners) and papillomatous formations on the skin and mucous membrane.HPV is characterized by a chronic form with continuous relapse.
Reasons
Why does the human papillomavirus develop and what is it?The causative agent is a virus that affects the upper layer of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals.Transmission of these viruses is possible only from person to person;Infection occurs through contact with the skin or mucous membranes of a sick person.
Human papillomavirus infection can occur:
- During sex.According to the International Medical Association, Papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, accounting for more than 60% of cases.
- At birth.The infection can be transmitted from mother to newborn baby during childbirth, to a newborn baby who is infected with papillomavirus or laryngeal papillomatosis.
- By autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if basic hygiene rules are followed: hair loss or shaving.
- By everyday means.Human papillomavirus is very persistent and can live for a long time in the warm, humid environment of public places such as toilets, bathrooms, gyms, and swimming pools.Infection occurs through direct contact, various skin lesions using personal hygiene items or in public places.
Different types of HPV cause or interfere with the development of:
- cervical dysplasia (62%);
- Invasive and invasive cervical cancer (38%);
- genital warts, urinary tract (51%);
- 10% of clinically healthy women are carriers of HPV;
- 85% of patients with typical genital warts of the external genitalia, examination and severe and mild forms reveal an additional focus of HPV infection of the vagina and cervix.
These data allow us to consider patients with human papillomavirus infection of the genital tract as a group with a high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.
Classification
The following classification applies:
- HPV, the different types of warts represented (HPV 1-5):
- Plantar warts (which look like a callus), these are HPV types 1-4;
- Flat warts 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, 18, 33, 33, 35.
- HPV is HPV 39 and other types, the lesion of which is associated with a prognostic disease (high oncogenic risk) condition in the form of a rash.
As you can see, these benign neoplasms can occur in any part of the body:
- the neck;
- Face;
- under the nipple;
- in the armpits;
- in the genitals;
- mucous membranes of internal organs, mouth and nasal cavities.
The need to treat human papillomavirus is related to the following fact.Leakage is a single-celled parasite associated with independent reproduction.It uses the cells of the human body for these purposes.The virus can parasitize for a long time by introducing its DNA into human chromosomes.Its significant 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 latent (latent) course.A person can be infected with several types of papillomaviruses at the same time.Under the influence of various factors, the virus is activated, increased reproduction 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 relapsing course with possible harmfulness of the process (depending on the type of virus).
Human papillomavirus symptoms
The human immune system is strong enough to eliminate the virus at an early stage of its development.And in most cases, the disease does not develop.But over time, months, years, or even decades, people may experience some symptoms of HPV infection.
There are several groups of diseases most often caused by HPV:
- WartThese are round growths, harder than the body, from 2 mm to 1 cm in diameter.The borders of the warts are very clearly defined and irregularly shaped warts are found.They are rough to the touch and can be of different colors.They are most often found in places where the skin is most damaged: on the hands or elbows.
- Plantar warts.They develop when infected with viruses of types 1 and 2, where shoes will rub or where the feet will step.The skin at the wart site becomes thicker and the warts do not have clear boundaries.
- Condylomas acuminata- As a rule, as a rule, it appears on the mucous membranes and skin of the genitals, the skin of the head of the penis and the skin of the foreskin in men, and the skin of women in women.They can appear in the bladder, urethra, cervix, vagina, around the anus, and in the mouth.Externally, these genital warts resemble the formation of a small convex, the edges are uneven (they look like cauliflower).This disease is caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11.
- Hat.Small, flat wart plaques (resembling flat warts) appear on the genitals.It develops more often in men who constantly change sexual partners.Called by 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 active only when immunity is reduced.
Human papillomavirus: Image
We have prepared a picture to find out how the human papillomavirus looks in different manifestations.
Human papillomavirus symptoms in women
Infection can occur in a latent form or cause the development of genital papillomas.Genital warts are mainly observed in women between 15 and 30 years of age.
The danger 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.In terms of the development of cancer, 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 last stages, which reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus in men
For men, the human papillomavirus is less dangerous than for women.Mostly they are passive carriers.It is less likely to develop cancer.
HPV in men can cause genital warts to appear on the foreskin, glans penis, or frenulum.Such formals should be removed urgently, because they interfere not only with personal hygiene, but also with sexual activity.
Prevention
We list the main directions for the prevention of human papillomavirus infection:
- personal hygiene measures in public places;
- a healthy lifestyle that maintains a high level of immunity;
- proper work and rest schedule;
- average physical education;
- vitamins, fruits, juices;
- only one sexual partner (ideal);
- use a condom during sexual intercourse.
There are currently vaccines against human papillomavirus.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Currently, there is no antiviral drug that causes the human papillomavirus to disappear from the body.
Various interferons and interferonogens can reduce existing condylomas, but do not reduce the frequency of new ones.Therefore, the main method of human papillomavirus treatment remains the removal of conditions by chemical or surgical methods.
Here are the main methods for removing papilloma tissue:
- Radiozavyan.A radio wave electrode is cut through the tumor and coagulates the vessels.An antiseptic bandage is then required.
- Laser.Non-contact and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, the remnant of a crust comes, which continues to heal.Disadvantages: Risk of relapse, high cost, need to polish the remaining wounds.
- Electrocoagulation.In terms of efficiency, results and prices, the method is similar to the previous two methods.
- Surgical.This is an operation under local anesthesia.
Before starting treatment, be sure to ask your doctor:
- What treatment is available at your clinic?
- How much does each treatment cost and what are the possible complications?
- Will the surgery be painful?
In this case, the removal of papillomas should not be considered a complete cure for human papillomavirus infection, because in this case the person does not stop being a virus carrier, which means that papillary polyps may reappear within several years.Therefore, for the purpose of prevention, doctors advise to improve the health of the whole body as a whole.
Cryocoagulation
Cryocoagulation (preservation with liquid nitrogen) is a fast and effective method of treating genital warts.The procedure can be a little painful and unpleasant, but this rarely bothers patients.
Cryocoagulation of conditioners is performed in several sessions over several weeks.Complete removal 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 a risk of confusing a genital wart with a malignant tumor.
It is better not to take risks and entrust your health to specialists - this will ensure a long and happy sex life.During treatment for papillomavirus, sexual activity is stopped until full recovery.It is necessary to examine and, if necessary, treat the partner.