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 varieties of this microorganism, each of which 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 exclusively in the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a large number of varieties of viruses.Some of them are not harmful to humans at all.However, around forty types of HPV cause the development of condylomas on the genitals of both men and women.And there are those that cause the development of malignant cells.
Among all the known varieties of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts, which in appearance resemble calluses;
- HPV that causes the development of flat warts;
- HPV, which causes the growth of common warts;
- HPV, which causes the development of genital warts and papillomas on the genitals in men and women;
- HPV, which causes precancerous rashes.
According to the probability of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, low oncogenic risk viruses and high oncogenic risk viruses.The latter are observed on the genitals of men and women in the form of genital warts and papillomas.If growths of this type are detected, their urgent removal is necessary.
How is it transmitted?
The human papillomavirus is very contagious.The infection itself in most cases occurs in early childhood, during active exploration of the world around them, during which damage to the child's skin (abrasions, scratches) occurs.It is through such damage that papillomaviruses enter 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 to the genital organs from one sexual partner to another, including through anal intercourse and oral sex.
In addition, there are several more ways to transmit the human papillomavirus:
- Transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papillomas in a newborn occurs on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital area;
- autoinfection, in which the virus is transferred during shaving or hair removal from one part of the body to another;
- Transmission of the virus by domestic means (in the shower or in the pool).
Symptoms
The immune system of a healthy person is able to overcome 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, leading to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.Gathering in a certain place on the skin or mucous membranes, viruses disrupt cell reproduction and accelerate their division.In this case, growths appear that characterize the presence of the virus in the body.The growths can come in the form of papillomas, genital warts, and warts.
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 clearly defined boundaries and a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.They most often form on the hands, elbows, and knees.
Condylomata acuminata are fairly soft growths with a rough surface, attached to the skin with a stalk.Most often they form in the area of the external genitals and anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is the rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflower.
in women
Entering a woman's body, the human papillomavirus causes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30) and often also leads to the development of erosion and dysplasia of the cervix.The first neoplasms appear, as a rule, within three months from the moment of infection and are 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 remain in the female body for a long time without manifesting itself in any way.The onset of menopause activates the virus, which can cause cancer of the cells of the mucous membrane of the genital organs.
in men
A characteristic feature of the human papillomavirus in men is the asymptomatic and long-term development of the disease.Against the background of stable immunity, the virus does not show 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 develop genital warts (genital papillomas), whose favorite habitat is the anus and penis.Men may also experience laryngeal papillomatosis recurrently.
Human papillomavirus treatment
Modern medicine does not have a single special drug that can combat the human papillomavirus.Most growths can disappear on their own within 6 months to 3 years.A previously transferred type of virus develops lifelong immunity in the body.
HPV treatment in the vast majority of cases is not aimed at eliminating the pathogen, but rather at eliminating the external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed in cases where they cause aesthetic discomfort or become painful.Removal of genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main elimination methods 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 20% salicylic acid solution for a long period;
- injections at the source of infection;
- local treatment of warts with creams;
- cauterization of papillomas and warts with special preparations;
- cryotherapy (removal of tumors in 3-4 sessions);
- laser therapy (1-3 sessions).
Treatment with home remedies.
HPV treatment involves the use of traditional medicine methods.The most common include:
- treatment of warts with juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple and aloe;
- porridge compresses prepared from cabbage leaves, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- Treat warts with a decoction of pickled willow bark.
One should not expect instant recovery from treatment with home remedies.This is a long and persistent process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.