Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a specific pathogen that causes a chronic infectious disease called human papillomavirus infection, which is the most common infection among humans.
Modern medicine knows several types of this microorganism, each of them has different manifestations: warts on the skin of the legs, arms and other parts of the body, genital warts on the mucous membranes of the genitals.HPV lives only in the basal layer of the skin and is sexually transmitted.
Varieties
There are many types of viruses.Some of them are not harmful to humans.However, about forty types of HPV cause genital warts in both men and women.And there are those that cause the development of malignant cells.
Among all known types of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts that look like calluses;
- HPV, which causes the development of flat warts;
- HPV, which causes the growth of common warts;
- HPV, which causes genital warts and papillomas in men and women;
- HPV that causes precancerous rashes.
Based on the probability of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, viruses with low oncogenic risk and viruses with high oncogenic risk.The latter are observed in the genital organs of men and women in the form of genital warts and papillomas.If such growths are found, they should be removed immediately.
How is it transmitted?
Human papillomavirus is highly contagious.The infection itself most often occurs in early childhood, when children are actively exploring the world around them, during which the child's skin is damaged (scratches, scratches).Penetrating papillomaviruses into the child's body is such an injury.
Certain strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.In this case, the transmission mechanism is only sexual.The virus is transmitted from one sexual partner to another through microtraumas of the genitals, including anal contact, as well as oral sex.
In addition, there are several other ways of transmission of the human papillomavirus:
- transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papilloma in the newborn occurs in the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital area;
- self-infection, in which the virus is transmitted during shaving or hair loss from one part of the body to another;
- transmission of the virus by household means (in the shower or swimming pool).
Symptoms
The immune system of a healthy person is able to eliminate the activity of the virus at an early stage of its development, and therefore, in most cases, the human papillomavirus does not manifest itself in any way.Decreased immunity allows the virus to become more active, which causes the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.Viruses collected in a certain place of the skin or mucous membrane disrupt the reproduction of cells and accelerate their division.In this case, growths that characterize the presence of the virus appear in the body.Growths can be in the form of papillomas, genital warts and warts.
A papilloma is a soft, elongated growth that sticks to the skin with a thread.Most often, papillomas are formed in women under the mammary glands, in the armpits, groin, neck, and in some cases on the face.The number and size of papillomas increases rapidly.
Warts are round, hard, rough growths with well-defined borders, 2 mm to 1 cm in diameter.They mostly occur on the hands, elbows and knees.
Condyloma acuminata are very soft growths with a rough surface, attached to the skin with a stalk.Most often, they are formed in the external genitalia and anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflower.
In women
When entering a woman's body, the human papillomavirus provokes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30) and often leads to the development of cervical erosion and dysplasia.The first neoplasms, as a rule, appear within three months from the moment of infection, and in most cases they are located in the labia minora, cervical canal, skin around the anus, and in the oral cavity.The infection can live in a woman's body for a long time without showing itself in any way.The onset of menopause activates the virus, which can cause the cells of the mucous membrane of the genital organs to become malignant.
In men
A characteristic feature of human papillomavirus in men is the long-term and asymptomatic development of the disease.Against the background of stable immunity, there are no external manifestations of the virus.However, factors such as hypothermia, overwork and infectious diseases can significantly reduce the level of immunity, which in itself will lead to the appearance of the first clinical signs in the form of tumors on the skin and mucous membranes.Men may develop genital warts (genital papillomas) with their favorite habitat being the anus and penis.Men can also experience recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
In modern medicine, there is not a single special drug that can fight the human papillomavirus.Most growths will disappear on their own within 6 months to 3 years.The type of virus transferred earlier creates lifelong immunity in the body.
In most cases, the treatment of HPV is not aimed at eliminating the pathogen, but at eliminating the external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed if they cause cosmetic discomfort or are painful.Removal of genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main methods of removal are: electrocoagulation using electric current, cryodestruction using liquid nitrogen.
Treatment of papilloma and warts involves the use of the following medical procedures:
- daily treatment of warts with a long-term 20% salicylic acid solution;
- injections into the source of infection;
- local treatment of warts with creams;
- cauterization of papillomas and warts with special preparations;
- cryotherapy (tumor removal in 3-4 sessions);
- laser therapy (1-3 sessions).
Treatment with folk remedies
Treatment of HPV involves the use of traditional medical methods.The most common of them are:
- treatment of warts with celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe juice;
- gruel compresses made from rabbit cabbage, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe leaves;
- Baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- treatment of warts with a decoction of willow bark in vinegar.
You should not expect immediate recovery from treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and continuous process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.