Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a specific pathogen that causes a chronic infectious disease called human papillomavirus infection, the most common infection among people.
Modern medicine knows several types of these microorganisms, each of which has a different manifestation: warts on the skin of the legs, arms and other parts of the body, genital warts on the mucous membrane of the genitals.HPV only inhabits the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a large number of types of viruses.Some of them are not dangerous to humans at all.However, about forty types of HPV cause the development of genital warts in men and women.And some trigger the development of malignant cells.
Among all known types of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts, which resemble calluses in appearance;
- HPV that causes the development of flat warts;
- HPV, which causes the growth of common warts;
- HPV, which triggers the development of genital warts and genital papillomas in men and women;
- HPV, which causes precancerous rashes.
Based on the possibility of getting cancer, all HPV are divided into safe viruses, low oncogenic risk viruses and high oncogenic risk viruses.The latter is observed in male and female genitalia in the form of genital warts and papillomas.If this type of tumor is detected, its immediate removal is necessary.
How is it delivered?
Human papillomavirus is highly contagious.The infection itself in most cases occurs in early childhood, during the child's active exploration of the world around them, where damage to the child's skin occurs (abrasions, scratches).It is through such damage that the papillomavirus penetrates the child's body.
Certain strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.The transmission mechanism in this case is exclusively sexual.The virus penetrates through microtrauma of the genital organs from one sexual partner to another sexual partner, including through anal intercourse, as well as oral sex.
In addition, there are several other ways to transmit human papillomavirus:
- transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papillomas in newborns occurs on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genitals;
- self-infection, where the virus is transferred during shaving or hair removal from one part of the body to another;
- transmission of the virus through household means (in the bathroom or swimming pool).
symptoms
The immune system of a healthy person can overcome the activity of the virus in the early stages 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 leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.After gathering in a certain place on the skin or mucous membrane, the virus interferes with cell reproduction, accelerating its division.In this case, growths appear that characterize the presence of the virus in the body.Tumors can be in the form of papillomas, genital warts, and warts.
A papilloma is a soft, elongated growth that attaches to the skin with a stalk.Most often, papillomas form under the mammary glands in women, in the armpits, in the groin, on the neck, and in some cases on the face.The number and size of papillomas is increasing rapidly.
Warts are round, hard, rough growths with clear borders with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.They form most often on the hands, elbows, and knees.
Condyloma acuminata is a relatively soft growth with a rough surface, attached to the skin with a stalk.Most often they are formed in the area of the external genitalia and anus.A characteristic feature of genital warts is rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflowers.
In women
When entering a woman's body, the human papillomavirus causes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30 years), and also often leads to the development of cervical erosion and dysplasia.The first neoplasm appears, as a rule, within three months from the moment of infection and is located in most cases on the labia minora, in the cervical canal, on the 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 malignancy of the mucous membrane cells of the genital organs.
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, the virus has no external manifestations.But 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 can experience genital warts (genital papilloma), their favorite habitat is the anus and penis.Men can also experience recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.
Human papillomavirus treatment
Modern medicine does not have a single special drug that can fight the human papillomavirus.Most tumors can disappear on their own within 6 months to 3 years.The previously transferred type of virus builds lifelong immunity in the body.
HPV treatment in most cases does not aim to eliminate the pathogen, but to eliminate the external manifestation of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed in cases where they cause cosmetic discomfort or become 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 papillomas and warts involves the use of the following medical procedures:
- daily treatment of warts with a 20% salicylic acid solution for a long period of time;
- injection into the source of infection;
- local treatment of warts with cream;
- cauterization of papillomas and warts with special preparations;
- cryotherapy (tumor removal in 3-4 sessions);
- laser therapy (1-3 sessions).
Treatment with folk remedies
HPV treatment involves the use of traditional medical methods.The most common of them include:
- treatment of warts with juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- compress gruel prepared from rabbit cabbage leaves, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- bath with a strong infusion of St. wort and chamomile.
- treat warts by boiling willow bark in vinegar.
You cannot expect immediate recovery from treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and ongoing process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.