Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly human-specific infection from 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 carrier of the papillomavirus - this is indicated in WHO data.Infection caused by the papilloma virus is warts (condylomas) and belongs to the group of virus-infectious diseases that are characterized by the appearance of papillomatous formations on the skin and mucous membrane.HPV is characterized by its chronic form with constant relapses.
Reasons
Why does the 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.Transmission of these viruses is possible only 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 at birth from mother to newborn baby, which subsequently leads to infection with papillomavirus or laryngeal papillomatosis.
- With autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if basic hygiene rules are not followed: hair removal or shaving.
- By everyday means.The human papillomavirus is highly survivable and can survive for a long time in the warm, humid environment of public places, such as toilets, baths, 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 of:
- cervical dysplasia (62%);
- pre-invasive and invasive cervical cancer (38%);
- genital warts, urinary tract (51%);
- 10% of clinically healthy women are carriers of HPV;
- In 85% of patients with typical genital warts of the external genitalia, 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 infections of the genital tract as a group at high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.
Classification
The following classification applies:
- HPV, the manifestation of which are various 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.
- HPV types that affect the vulva, vagina, genitals, cervix and respiratory tract are HPV types 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35.
- HPV, the lesion of which in the form of rashes is associated with the condition of a precancerous disease (HPV of high oncogenic risk), is HPV 39 and other types.
As you can see, these benign neoplasms can form on any part of the body:
- neck;
- face;
- under the breast;
- in the armpits;
- on the genitals;
- on the mucous membranes of internal organs, oral and nasal cavities.
The need for treatment of human papillomavirus is due to the following fact.The strain is an intracellular parasite incapable of independent reproduction.For these purposes, it uses the cells of 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 become infected with several types of papillomaviruses at the same time.Under the influence of various factors, the virus is activated, its increased reproduction, 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 relapsing 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 overcome 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 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 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 viruses of types 1 and 2 in those places where shoes rub or press on the feet.The skin at the site of the wart becomes thicker, and the warts do not have clear boundaries.
- Condylomas 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 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 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 these) 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 observed mainly in women aged 15 to 30 years.
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 often asymptomatic until the final stages, at which 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 likelihood of developing cancer is much lower.
HPV in men can cause genital warts to appear on the foreskin, glans penis or frenulum.Such formations must be urgently removed, because 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);
- using a condom during sexual intercourse.
Currently, there are vaccinations against human papillomavirus.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Currently, there is not a single antiviral drug that would cause 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 treating human papillomavirus remains the removal of condylomas by chemical or surgical methods.
Here are the main methods for removing papilloma tissue:
- Radiosurgical.The radio wave electrode cuts off the tumor and coagulates the vessels.An antiseptic bandage is then required.
- Laser.Contactless and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, a crust remains, under which healing proceeds.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 two previous 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 must be emphasized that removal of papillomas should not be considered a complete cure for human papillomavirus infection, since in this case the person does not cease to be a virus carrier, that is, papillary polyps may appear again within several years.That is why, for the purpose of prevention, 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 may be slightly painful and unpleasant, but this is rarely very bothersome to patients.
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.
- Secondly, there is always a risk of confusing genital warts with a malignant tumor.
It’s 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 period of treatment for papillomavirus is stopped until complete recovery.It is necessary to examine and, if necessary, treat the partner.