Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly specific infection of humans from the Papovaviridea family, which has the ability to infect and transform epithelial cells.More than one hundred types of HPV have been identified, of which 35 infect the human urogenital tract and cause damage to the integumentary epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs.
One in six people is a carrier of the papillomavirus, as indicated by WHO data.The infection caused by the papillomavirus is warts (condylomas) and belongs to the group of infectious diseases due to viruses that are characterized by the appearance of papillomatous formations on the skin and mucous membranes.HPV is characterized by its chronic form with constant relapses.
Reasons
Why does 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 genital organs.The transmission of these viruses 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 relations.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 at birth from the mother to the newborn, subsequently leading to papillomavirus infection or laryngeal papillomatosis.
- With autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if basic hygiene rules are not followed: hair removal or shaving.
- Through everyday means.Human papillomavirus has high survivability and can survive for a long time in the hot and humid environment of public places, such as bathrooms, gyms, and swimming pools.Infection occurs through various skin lesions directly through contact, use of personal hygiene items or in public places.
The 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 carry HPV;
- In 85% of patients with typical genital warts of the external genitalia, examination reveals additional foci of HPV infection in the vagina and cervix in severe and mild forms.
These data allow us to consider patients with human papillomavirus genital tract infections as a group at high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.
Classification
The following classification applies:
- HPV, the manifestation of which are several types of warts (HPV 1-5):
- Plantar warts (the appearance resembles a callus), these are HPV types 1-4;
- Flat warts are HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49;
- Common warts are HPV type 27.
- The 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 a precancerous disease (oncogenic high-risk HPV), is HPV 39 and other types.
As you can see, these benign neoplasms can form anywhere in the body:
- neck;
- face;
- under the chest;
- in the armpits;
- on the genitals;
- on the mucous membranes of internal organs, oral and nasal cavities.
The need for human papillomavirus treatment is due to the following fact.The strain is an intracellular parasite incapable of reproducing independently.For these purposes, it uses cells from the human body.The virus can parasitize for quite a long time, introducing its own DNA into human chromosomes.Its noticeable 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 recurrent 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 defeat 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 most frequently caused by HPV:
- WartsThey are round growths, more rigid than the body, with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.The boundaries of the warts are very clearly defined and warts of irregular shape are found.They are rough to the touch and can be of different colors.Most often they form in places where the skin is most damaged: on the hands, knees or elbows.
- plantar warts.They develop when infected with type 1 and 2 viruses in those places where shoes rub or press on the feet.The skin at the wart site becomes thicker and the warts have no clear boundaries.
- Condylomata acuminata– peculiar warts that appear, as a rule, on the mucous membranes and skin of the genital organs: the head of the penis and the skin of the foreskin in men, the skin of the lips 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 appear around the genitals (somewhat similar to flat warts).It develops more frequently 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 activated only when immunity decreases.
Human papillomavirus: photo
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 can cause the development of genital papillomas.Genital warts are mainly seen in women between 15 and 30 years old.
The main 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.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 usually asymptomatic until the final stages, when 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 probability of developing cancer is much lower.
HPV in men can cause genital warts to appear on the foreskin, glans penis, or frenulum.These formations must be urgently removed, as 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 immunity at a high level;
- correct work and rest schedule;
- moderate physical training;
- taking vitamins, fruits, juices;
- only one sexual partner (ideally);
- Use a condom during sexual relations.
Currently, there are vaccines against human papillomavirus.
Human papillomavirus treatment
Currently, there is no single antiviral drug that causes the disappearance of the human papillomavirus from the body.
Various interferons and interferonogens can reduce existing condylomas, but do not reduce the frequency of formation of new ones.Therefore, the main method of treatment for human papillomavirus remains the removal of condylomas using chemical or surgical methods.
These are the main methods to remove papilloma tissue:
- radiosurgical.The radio wave electrode cuts the tumor and coagulates the vessels.Then an antiseptic bandage is required.
- Laser.Non-contact and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, a scab remains under which healing occurs.Disadvantages: risk of relapse, high cost, need to polish remaining scars.
- 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 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 is necessary to emphasize that the removal of papillomas should not be considered a complete cure for human papillomavirus infection, since in this case the person does not stop being a carrier of the virus, that is, the papillary polyps can reappear after several years.Therefore, for prevention purposes, doctors recommend improving the health of the entire body as a whole.
cryocoagulation
Cryocoagulation (cauterization with liquid nitrogen) is a quick and effective method of treating genital warts.The procedure can be slightly painful and unpleasant, but it is rarely very bothersome to patients.
Cryocoagulation of condylomas is performed in several sessions over several weeks.Complete removal of condylomas is observed in 75-80% of patients who have undergone all procedures.
Patient recommendations
You should not try to diagnose and treat human papillomavirus yourself.
- First, you must choose the correct 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 have a long and happy sex life.Sexual activity during the period of papillomavirus treatment is suspended until complete recovery.It is necessary to examine and, if necessary, treat the partner.