Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly 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 membrane of the genital organs.

Every sixth person is a carrier of the papilloma virus - this is indicated in WHO data.Infection caused by the papilloma virus are warts (condylomas) and belong to the group of viral-infectious diseases 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 is the human papilloma virus created 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 membrane of a sick person.

Human papillomavirus infection can occur:

1. During sexual intercourse.According to the International Medical Association, the papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, accounting for more than 60% of cases.
2. At birth.The infection can be transmitted at birth from mother to newborn, which then leads to infection with the papillomavirus or laryngeal papillomatosis.
3. With autoinoculation.Self-infection can occur if the basic rules of hygiene are not followed: hair removal or shaving.
4. By everyday means.The human papillomavirus is very resistant to survival and can survive for long periods of time in the warm, moist environment of public places, such as toilets, baths, gyms and swimming pools.Infection occurs through various skin lesions by direct contact, using personal hygiene products or in public places.

Different types of HPV cause or are involved in the development of:

• cervical dysplasia (62%);
• preinvasive and invasive cervical cancer (38%);
• genital warts, urinary tract (51%);
• 10% of clinically healthy women are HPV carriers;
• In 85% of patients with typical genital warts of the external genitalia, the 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 genital tract infections with human papillomavirus as a group with a high risk of developing cervical intraepithelial carcinoma.

Classification

The following classification applies:

1. HPV, the manifestation of which are different types of warts (HPV 1-5):
2. Plantar warts (appearance resembles a callus), these are HPV types 1-4;
3. Flat warts are HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49;
4. Common warts are HPV type 27.
5. HPV types that affect the vulva, vagina, genitals, cervix and respiratory tract are HPV types 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35.
6. HPV, whose lesion in the form of a rash is associated with a state of 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:

• the neck;
• face;
• under the chest;
• in the armpit;
• on the genitals;
• on the mucous membranes of the internal organs, lips and nasal cavity.

The need to treat human papillomavirus is due to the following fact.The strain is an intracellular parasite incapable of independent reproduction.For these purposes, he uses the cells of the human body.The virus can parasitize for 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 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 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 in its early stages of 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:

1. NipplesThey are round growths, harder than the body, with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.The borders of the warts are very clearly defined, and there are also irregularly shaped warts.They are rough to the touch and can be of different colors.They most often occur in places where the skin is most damaged: on the hands, knees or elbows.
2. Plantar warts.They develop when they are infected with type 1 and 2 viruses in places where shoes rub or press on the feet.The skin at the site of the wart becomes thicker, and warts do not have clear borders.
3. Condylomas acuminata- unusual warts that, as a rule, appear 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.From the outside, 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.
4. 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.They are called by type – 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 the immunity decreases.

Human papillomavirus: photo

In order to find out what the human papilloma virus looks like in its various manifestations, we have prepared a photo.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus in women

The infection can appear in a latent form, or it can cause the development of genital papillomas.Genital warts occur mainly in women between the ages of 15 and 30.

The main risk of developing diseases caused by types 16 and 18 is the development of cervical cancer.Cervical cancer shortens life expectancy by an average of 26 years.From the point of view of cancer development, only a virus that remains in the body for more than a year is dangerous.

Unfortunately, these diseases in women are often asymptomatic until the final stage, in which the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus in men

For men, the human papilloma virus is less dangerous than for women.They are mostly passive carriers.The probability of developing cancer is much lower.

In men, HPV can cause genital warts on the foreskin, glans or frenulum.Such formations must be removed urgently, because they interfere not only with personal hygiene, but also with sexual activity.

Prevention

Here are the main guidelines for the prevention of human papillomavirus infection:

• personal hygiene measures in public places;
• a healthy lifestyle that maintains immunity at a high level;
• proper schedule of work and rest;
• moderate physical training;
• taking vitamins, fruits, juices;
• only one sexual partner (ideally);
• using a condom during sexual intercourse.

There are currently vaccines against human papillomavirus.

Treatment of human papillomavirus

Currently, there is not a single antiviral drug that would cause the human papillomavirus to disappear from the body.

Various interferons and interferonogens can reduce existing condylomas, but do not reduce the frequency of new ones.Therefore, the main method of treatment of human papillomavirus remains the removal of condyloma by chemical or surgical methods.

Here are the main methods for removing tissue papillomas:

1. Radiosurgery.The radio wave electrode cuts away the tumor and coagulates the blood vessels.Then an antiseptic bandage is needed.
2. Laser.Contactless and bloodless method.At the site of the removed papilloma, a crust remains, under which healing takes place.Disadvantages: risk of recurrence, high price, need to polish the remaining scars.
3. Electrocoagulation.In terms of efficiency, results and prices, the method is similar to the two previous methods.
4. Surgical.This is an operation under local anesthesia.

Before starting treatment, be sure to ask your doctor:

1. What treatments are available at your clinic?
2. How much does each type of treatment cost and what are the possible complications?
3. Will the surgery be painful?

It must be emphasized that the removal of papillomas should not be considered a complete cure of infection with the human papilloma virus, because in this case the person does not stop being a carrier of the virus, that is, papillary polyps can reappear within a few years.Therefore, for the purpose of prevention, doctors recommend improving the health of the entire organism as a whole.

Cryocoagulation

Cryocoagulation (cauterization with liquid nitrogen) is a fast and effective method of treating genital warts.The procedure can be a little painful and uncomfortable, but this rarely bothers patients.

Cryocoagulation of condyloma is carried out in several sessions over several weeks.Complete elimination of condyloma was observed in 75-80% of patients who underwent all procedures.

Recommendations for patients

You should not try to diagnose and treat human papillomavirus yourself.

1. First you have to choose the right method.
2. Second, there is always a 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 a long and happy sexual life.Sexual activity during the treatment period of the papilloma virus is interrupted until complete recovery.The partner needs to be examined and, if necessary, treated.