Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to a viral infection.Papillomavirus occurs in most people, regardless of sex.But in frequent cases, this virus does not show characteristic symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of infection.
What is HPV infection?
Many people do not understand where this virus comes from and what it is.Human papillomavirus is a chronic viral disease.It is easily transmitted by contact with infected people.This virus appears as a result of the entry into the body of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of different types.However, some of these viruses do not cause harm.But there is another category of viruses, due to which new growths appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.There are also the most dangerous types that not only affect the genital area, but also cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not have a negative effect immediately, as it needs to go through a certain process by which it can gradually alter the functioning of the body.
It must first penetrate the cell and then adhere firmly to it.When the body's protective functions decrease, infection can lead to clinical manifestations.But, despite the capabilities of the virus, the body is quite capable of destroying it on its own.The virus can be present in the body for a long time, but the disease may not appear immediately.After all, the immune system fights viruses and destroys the pathogenic factor before it can harm health.But because defenses weaken with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and cancer of the penis and larynx in men.
Why does infection occur?
This infection is usually transmitted sexually, even if contraceptives are used.There are also other situations in which you can easily become infected with HPV, these include:
- infection from scratches or abrasions;
- coming into contact with infected skin;
- user hygiene items;
- surgical instruments.
If a woman is sick with this virus and is pregnant, she can infect her child.
You should be especially careful when using someone else's razor or towel, as the virus can remain on the personal items of people who have the infection.There are cases when infection occurs through contact with affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during the massage.Medical personnel are also at high risk of infection from inhaling dust during laser genital wart removal.
However, without certain conditions, it is difficult for the virus to show its activity.Factors that contribute to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sexual life;
- hormonal imbalances;
- consequences of medical procedures such as abortion or intrauterine device;
- lack of hygiene;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- the presence of another infectious disease in the form of genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea;
- pregnancy.
Manifestation of HPV infection.
Viruses differ from other microorganisms in that they must invade a cell and then connect to the nucleus.After all these actions, the affected cell will receive a signal from the viral particles to synthesize proteins.
Since the immune system can suppress the activity of the virus, a person often becomes a carrier of the infection without even knowing it.In this case, HPV occurs without obvious symptoms, which is the main cause of the active spread of various diseases.If the patient does not undergo an examination, he will not know that there is a human papillomavirus infection in his body, since it develops without external manifestation.Thus, the patient will continue infecting other people without knowing it.However, HPV does not live long in the external environment, since it has little resistance to its aggressive factors.For this reason, a healthy person becomes infected quickly.
When the virus reaches the surface of the skin, the basal layer of the epidermis is affected.However, it can remain dormant for a long time without causing symptoms of infection.
As soon as favorable conditions appear, the virus will begin to negatively affect the cells, causing symptoms to appear.
Main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, namely by formations that appear in various places with high humidity.The papillomavirus is usually located in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.Especially often it manifests itself in the oral cavity, conjunctivitis, larynx, bronchi, rectum and genitals.
Indirect signs of HPV appear in the form of a precancerous disease.Oncological diseases develop rarely.But the exception is cervical cancer and penile cancer, since this stage of the disease is often observed.However, you should not panic, because in the early stages cancer is easily treatable.
An indirect symptom is detected if the mucous membrane or skin is covered only by individual warts.
What does papilloma look like?
The human papillomavirus manifests itself as neoplasms similar to common warts, but unlike them, they are softer.Warts caused by the papillomavirus look like small nodules.Papillomas in the form of warts can be seen on the hands.HPV is also usually located on the face or leg.Often these warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can be in the form of condyloma that, unlike warts, grows in the genital area.If these tumors are left untreated, they can actively progress.
In addition, its presence significantly interferes with sexual activity and painful sensations may appear when urinating.Condylomas are easily damaged, can bleed constantly and cause irritation to the perineum, which ultimately leads to the development of bacterial infections.
How does HPV develop?
The virus goes through 3 stages of development:
- HPV infection in the body;
- precancer;
- Cancer.
The last stage should be avoided as it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous diseases can be treated successfully.
The incubation period for HPV lasts about a month.However, the virus can simply remain in the body without causing anything.
Being infected with HPV does not mean that a person will immediately develop skin manifestations and cancer.It is impossible to say exactly how long it takes for the human papillomavirus to manifest itself, since it is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body.
For HPV infection, the incubation period is 3 weeks.The period can extend up to 9 to 12 months.
The average is 3 months.If there are no clinical and histological signs of infection, this may mean that the human papillomavirus is asymptomatic.
If the virus does not go away on its own after a few years, it means that it has become a chronic form of carriage.In this case, the virus particle has taken root well in the cell, so active destructive actions can begin at any time.In this case, the virus will begin to actively produce proteins, which will disrupt all phases of the cell cycle.As a result, even old cells that should no longer reproduce will divide.But it is possible that there are still certain mechanisms that limit the influence of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that HPV aggressively affects them.This causes the nuclei of infected cells to take on an irregular shape and change color.This process is considered a precancerous condition.
If epithelial cells divide actively and uncontrollably under the influence of a virus, this causes genetic problems and mutations.In addition, tissues have the capacity to degenerate into cancer.The transition to the malignant oncological stage depends on the state of female sex hormones.
HPV is classified according to its oncogenic type:
- papillomaviruses that do not cause cancer;
- viruses that have a low risk of cancer;
- infections with a medium percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomaviruses that cause cancer.
Diagnosis of the virus.
As soon as suspicion of infection arises, it is better to immediately consult a doctor, since papilloma is a serious source of viruses.Since if the integrity of the virus is compromised, the virus can be released into the environment, it is possible to easily infect other people even without sexual contact.To detect the presence of the virus in the body, special diagnostics are carried out.It is recommended to perform it when various STIs and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is first diagnosed by clinical examination.To find out in detail the type of virus and its stage, examinations are carried out in the form of expanded colposcopy, cytological and histological studies of biopsy samples.The virus can be detected by analyzing DNA, antibodies and oncoproteins (E6, E7).Since there are HPV negative and positive, it is important to determine the status of the virus in the body.
If the test reveals a high amount of HPV, in this case the infection has become malignant.Therefore, quantitative analysis is necessary to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If studies have shown reference values, this is the norm, that is, there is no papillomavirus in the body.As a diagnosis, women undergo colposcopy, and men must undergo a complete examination by a surgeon or urologist.The earlier the disease is detected, the better the prognosis.
HPV treatment
Since this virus is epitheliotropic, living only on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes and does not penetrate into the deeper layers, many wonder whether an HPV infection can go away on its own.In fact, the virus can disappear without external influence.After all, human skin and mucous membranes are constantly changing.Since the top layer of the skin renews itself after a while, the virus can remove itself from the old cells.According to statistics, there have been cases in which HPV disappears on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, no treatment of the disease is required, that is, if there are no characteristic warts or precancerous signs.However, it is necessary to determine the stage of development of the disease, and for this it is important to know which doctor to go to if the presence of the human papillomavirus in the body is suspected.You should visit a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, consultation with other specialized specialists may be necessary, depending on the location of training.
Treatment options
To eliminate the human papillomavirus from the body, it is necessary to undergo complex therapy:
- antiviral medications;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- if necessary, removal of papillomas.
As therapy, medications are prescribed that strengthen and stimulate the immune system.They contain vitamins B6, C, E and adaptogens.Medicines can be in the form of tablets, injections, tampons with ointment, vaginal suppositories.This depends on the progression of the disease and the area of appearance of the papilloma.
Papillomavirus in an adult is usually found in immunodeficiency, since it is difficult for the body to cope with harmful organisms on its own.To combat such infections, it is necessary to take special medications containing substances to enhance immunity.
High-quality modern medicine helps to quickly eliminate HPV, preventing possible negative manifestations in the form of cancer.
Self-medication is not recommended, as there is a high risk of the virus progressing.Self-medication can be harmful, especially in the case of genital diseases.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the manifestation of the disease, the doctor selects a suitable treatment method that can prevent further development of the papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed through medical procedures.But the papilloma can disappear on its own.If there are a large number of papillomas and warts in one place, only a few large ones are removed, and the rest can disappear on their own.Since the type of virus can be malignant, it is necessary to start treatment.It is not necessary to delay therapy if it is a cosmetic problem, since papillomas may appear on the face, especially on the nose, eyelids and lips.
You can remove the affected tissue:
- surgical intervention;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser method;
- liquid nitrogen cryodestruction;
- chemical burning.
Warts should not be picked off or cut.In fact, numerous neoplasms can arise due to this.It is better to remove the papilloma with a specialist who will perform the procedure taking into account the condition of the papillomavirus.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented with a vaccine.Vaccination is recommended for girls in adolescence before their first sexual relationship.In this way, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of the infection, without giving the virus a favorable terrain for its development.Before vaccination, you should consult with a dermatovenerologist who treats sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be destroyed, relapses may occur, in which the papilloma appears in the same place or in another area of the skin.
Preventive measures
To avoid developing human papillomavirus, it is important to find out what may be causing the infection.Since a strong immune system destroys viral particles, prevention of papillomavirus begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, this way the defenses can effectively combat any HPV virus, preventing it from spreading and causing disease.To do this, it is important to switch to proper nutrition so that the body regularly receives the necessary portion of vitamins and minerals.
Comprehensive prevention helps keep the immune system in a normal state.After all, in order not to get sick from the papillomavirus, the body must effectively fight it.To do this, it is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle and abandon bad habits.It is important to properly organize your work and rest schedule, as well as engage in moderate physical activity.After all, overwork can negatively affect the immune system.
Since other people's hygiene items are considered a source of infection, it is better to refuse to use them.It is recommended to exclude casual sexual relations and use only barrier contraceptive methods.
For a timely diagnosis of the papillomavirus, women should regularly visit a gynecologist, and men - a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, each patient can get rid of or completely prevent the occurrence of infections and other negative consequences of this viral disease.