Papillomavirus is a group of viruses with about 24 subgroups. About 600 species have been discovered to date. It is transmitted from person to person only. The problem of diagnosis and treatment of the human papilloma virus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is able to accelerate tumor processes, is found on the skin, esophagus, mucous membranes of the mouth, bronchi, conjunctiva and even rectum.
Causes of occurrence and ways of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- scratches or cuts when visiting the pool, hammam, public restrooms or gym;
- During shaving or epilation.
Statistics say that even with one partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
Approximately 70% of the population is sick and is a carrier of HPV. The virus is actively transmitted in the form of pointed or flat irregular growths on the skin and genitals, especially from patients with warts on their bodies (which is the virus that causes them to appear). In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of newborns from the mother during childbirth. In infants, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latent period (incubation) of the disease can last from two weeks to several years. Currently, the virus has no visible symptoms.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible to quickly grow many condylomas or papillomas at once, similar to sea kale.
If the infection occurred sexually, the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:
- in the region of the labia;
- vagina;
- cervix, cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are carried away by oral sex, for lovers of anal sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected - anus, rectum.
Despite being carriers, males rarely suffer from the disease. When examining spouses, the virus is found more often in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, urgently consult a doctor, as with some types of viruses, neoplasms are reborn and cause cancer.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 types of viruses have been discovered. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years after infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans and cause both benign and oncological neoplasms.
In the 80s of the last century, doctors proved the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the location and types of skin lesions:
- plantar;
- "butcher's warts";
- ordinary;
- straight.
On the genitals:
- Genital warts;
- flat, provoking changes on the surface of the cervical membrane and causes oncology;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genital organs and anus in both women and men.
Other varieties:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory tract papillomas;
- neck, head, lung tumors.
Kinds:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms, and in children they can grow on the knees. They look like cone-shaped rough growths.
- Plantar - interfere with walking, treat the beginning as shiny growths, then grow as a wart with an edge at the base. As they grow, they form a bunch of similar formations.
- Solid - the color differs little from the skin, but causes itching, redness and discomfort.
- filiformIn medicine, these are called acrochords. They are more common in people over the age of 50. At first, they look like yellowish tubers that grow, forming protrusions up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in the visible areas, a sick person can go to a healthcare facility for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect their visit to the gynecologist.
Virus diagnosis
If suspicious formations in the form of papilla-like (warts) or irregular, bumpy warts are observed on the skin or mucous membranes, a doctor should be consulted. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they are best removed to reduce the chance of infecting those around you.
Due to the possibility of developing cancer, such neoplasms are being investigated.
The doctor makes an analysis for the human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucous membrane (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examination of the mucosa under strong magnification) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia) as well as to determine the virus type.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of a cytological study:
- no change;
- changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are minor changes in the structure of cells, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes were found;
- there are many cells with signs of cancer.
Histological examination gives a more detailed picture of changes in tissue structure.
Clinics use special HPV tests that allow you to get more accurate analysis results. A positive test result indicates that malignant processes have occurred in the tissue.
HPV is at high oncogenic risk. The high cancer risk is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are present in 70% of study cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV Treatment Methods
How is human papillomavirus treated? In connection with the decrease in immunity caused by the disease, first of all, doctors prescribe drugs that increase it:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
But the main method of treatment is the obligatory removal of neoplasms by modern cosmetology methods:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- adding immunostimulants or immunomodulators into the growth.
In each case of the disease, the types of treatment should be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, pathological processes are not found on the skin, only papillomas with a small area of skin around it are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation may capture a significant area depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How is human papillomavirus treated? Traditional medicine has always helped fight diseases. Experience in HPV treatment is also extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate the warts:
- celandine juice;
- sour apple juice and pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven Recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze and apply ice cubes 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
- Kerosene and walnuts. Grind unripe hazelnuts in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part of hazelnuts - 2 parts of kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply to warts 2 times a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herbal collections:
- dandelion root, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's Wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It should be applied carefully so that it does not contaminate healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growth will disappear without a trace.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. It only takes 3 hours. But when torn it can cause unpleasant or painful sensations.
- 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and dilute papillomas with this composition.
Infection prevention
Still, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. It will not be possible to get rid of the disease by removing papillomas from the surface of the skin. Therefore, you should see a specialist to prevent neoplasms from turning into cancer. It is not yet possible to cure HPV completely, but you can take steps to prevent infection.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. Condoms do not provide complete protection against HPV infection, as they do not protect the entire surface of the skin from contact, but still partially help prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus. Girls aged 11-12 are vaccinated. Vaccine results showed a reduction in this disease in women who took the drug.
Found a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a qualified specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and removal methods and take action!