Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly human-specific infection of the Papovaviridea family, 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 integumentary epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs.
Every sixth person is a papillomavirus carrier - this is shown in WHO data.Infections caused by the papilloma virus are warts (condylomas) and belong 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 genital organs.Transmission of this virus is only possible from person to person;Infection occurs through contact with the skin or mucous membranes of a sick person.
Human papillomavirus infection can occur:
- During sexual intercourse.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.Infection can be transmitted during birth from mother to newborn, which then leads to infection with papillomavirus or laryngeal papillomatosis.
- By autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if basic hygiene rules are not followed: hair removal or shaving.
- In a day-to-day way.The human papillomavirus is very persistent and can survive for a long time in warm and moist environments in public places, such as toilets, showers, 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:
- 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 from 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 human papillomavirus infection of the genital tract as a group at high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.
Classification
The following classifications apply:
- HPV, the manifestation of various 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.
- The types of HPV that affect the vulva, vagina, genitals, cervix and respiratory tract are HPV types 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35.
- HPV, the lesion in the form of a rash is associated with precancerous conditions (HPV of high oncogenic risk), is HPV 39 and other types.
As you can see, this benign neoplasm can form in any part of the body:
- neck;
- face;
- under the breast;
- in armpit;
- on the genitals;
- On the mucous membrane of internal organs, oral cavity and nose.
The need for human papillomavirus treatment is due to the following facts.Strains are intracellular parasites that cannot be regenerated.For this purpose, it uses human body cells.The virus can be a parasite for a long time, introducing its own DNA into the human chromosome.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 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 manifestation.
In most cases (up to 90%), self-healing occurs within 6-12 months, in other cases there is a long-term chronic course with the possibility of 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 in its early stages of 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 most often caused by HPV:
- WartsThey are round growths, more rigid than the body, with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.The boundaries of warts are very clear, and warts of irregular shape are found.They are rough to the touch and can be different colors.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 type 1 and 2 in places where shoes rub or press the feet.The skin at the site of the wart becomes thicker, and the wart does not have a clear border.
- Condylomas acuminata- Special warts that appear, as a rule, on the mucous membrane and skin of the genital organs: the head of the penis and the foreskin in men, the skin of the labia in women.They can also appear in the bladder, urethra, cervix, vagina, skin around the anus, and in the mouth.Externally, 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 wart plaques (somewhat similar to flat warts) appear around the genitals.It develops more often in men who constantly change sexual partners.Called by Type - 16, 18, 31, 33, 42, 48, 51, 54.
Any viral infection that is always present in the human body (and HPV is one of these) is activated only when immunity is reduced.
Human papillomavirus: Photo
To find out what the human papillomavirus looks like in its various manifestations, we have prepared photos.
Human papillomavirus symptoms in women
This infection can occur in a latent form, or can cause the development of genital papillomas.Genital warts are observed mainly in women aged 15 to 30 years.
The main danger of developing diseases 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 viruses that remain in the body for more than a year become dangerous.
Unfortunately, these diseases in women are often asymptomatic until the final stage, where the effectiveness of treatment is reduced.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus in men
For men, the human papillomavirus is less dangerous than for women.Often they are passive carriers.The chances of developing cancer are much lower.
HPV in men can cause genital warts to appear on the foreskin, glans penis or frenulum.Such formations must be removed immediately, because they interfere not only with personal hygiene, but also with sexual activity.
Prevention
We list the main instructions for the prevention of human papillomavirus infection:
- personal hygiene measures in public places;
- a healthy lifestyle that keeps immunity at a high level;
- proper work and rest schedule;
- moderate physical exercise;
- take vitamins, fruits, juices;
- only one sexual partner (ideally);
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse.
Currently, there is a vaccination against human papillomavirus.
Human papillomavirus treatment
Currently, there is no antiviral drug that will cause the human papillomavirus to disappear from the body.
Various interferons and interferonogens can reduce existing condylomas, but do not reduce the frequency of new formations.Therefore, the main method of treating human papillomavirus remains the removal of condyloma by chemical or surgical methods.
Here are the main methods for removing papilloma tissue:
- Radiosurgical.Radio wave electrodes cut the tumor and freeze the vessels.An antiseptic dressing is then required.
- Lasers.Non-contact and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, a crust remains, where healing results.Disadvantages: Risk of relapse, high cost, need to polish scars.
- Electrocoagulation.In terms of efficiency, yield and price, this method is the same as the previous two 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 cannot be considered a complete cure for human papillomavirus infection, because in this case the person does not stop being a carrier of the virus, that is, papillary polyps may appear again in a few years.That is why, for preventive purposes, doctors recommend improving the health of the whole body as a whole.
Cryocoagulation
Cryocoagulation (cauterization with liquid nitrogen) is a fast and effective method for treating genital warts.The procedure may be a little painful and unpleasant, but this rarely bothers the patient very much.
Cryocoagulation of condylomas is carried out in several sessions over several weeks.Complete elimination of condylomas is observed in 75-80% of patients who have undergone all procedures.
Recommendations for patients
You should not try to diagnose and treat human papillomavirus yourself.
- First, you need to choose the right method.
- Second, there is always the risk of confusing genital warts with malignant tumors.
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.