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 inhabits exclusively the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a huge number of varieties of the virus.Some of them are not harmful to humans at all.However, about forty types of HPV cause the development of condylomas on the genitals of both men and women.And there are those that provoke the development of malignant cells.
Among all known varieties 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 provokes the development of genital warts and papillomas on the genitals in men and women;
- HPV, which causes rashes that are precancerous.
Based on the likelihood of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, viruses of low oncogenic risk, and viruses of high oncogenic risk.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 highly contagious.The infection itself in most cases occurs in early childhood, during children’s active exploration of the world around them, during which damage to the child’s skin occurs (abrasions, scratches).It is through such damage that papillomaviruses penetrate 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 microtraumas of the genital organs from one sexual partner to another, including through anal intercourse, as well as oral sex.
In addition, there are several more ways of transmitting 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;
- self-infection, in which 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 shower or swimming 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, which leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.Having gathered in a certain place on the skin or mucous membrane, viruses disrupt cell reproduction, accelerating their division.In this case, growths appear that characterize the presence of the virus in the body.The growths can be in the form of papillomas, genital warts, and warts.
Papilloma is a soft, elongated growth that is attached 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 rapidly increasing.
Warts are round, hard, rough growths with clearly defined boundaries with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.They form most often on the hands, elbows, and knees.
Condyloma acuminata are rather soft growths with a rough surface, attached to the skin with a stalk.Most often they form in the area of the external genitalia and anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflower.
In women
When entering a woman’s body, the human papillomavirus provokes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30 years), and also often 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 live in the female body for a long time without showing itself in any way.The onset of menopause activates the virus, which can cause malignancy of the cells of the mucous membrane 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 develop genital warts (genital papillomas), the favorite habitat of which is the anus and penis.Men can also experience laryngeal papillomatosis in a recurrent form.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Modern medicine does not have a single special drug that can combat the human papillomavirus.Most of the growths can disappear on their own over a period of 6 months to 3 years.A previously transferred type of virus develops lifelong immunity in the body.
Treatment of HPV in the vast majority of cases is not aimed at eliminating the pathogen, but at eliminating the external manifestations 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;
- injections into 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 folk remedies
Treatment of HPV involves the use of traditional medicine methods.The most common of them include:
- treatment of warts with the juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- compresses of gruel prepared from leaves of hare cabbage, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- treating warts with a decoction of willow bark in vinegar.
You should not expect instant recovery from treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and persistent process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.