Currently, papillomavirus is considered one of the most common infections. According to statistics, 90% of the population of the entire globe are its carriers, while many people are not even aware of its presence. There are hundreds of strains of the virus, but only a few dozen have been well studied. Most of them are not hazardous to health, they can disappear on their own without any treatment, but some species are oncogenic, their activity leads to the occurrence of malignant diseases. Most women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer have an HPV type 16, type 18.
Papillomavirus: general information
This infection has been known to medicine for a long time - it is it that causes warts on the skin and mucous membranes. A more detailed study of it began since the relationship between its carriage and cervical cancer in women was proved.
Penetrating into the human body, the papilloma virus either exists in a benign form, or its DNA is embedded in the genome of the carrier, due to which tissue degenerates. At the same time, HPV 16, type 18 is considered the most dangerous, since in 50% of cases it causes cancer.
Currently, there are no drugs that can completely get rid of the infection. For a long time, the virus can be in a sleeping form, but under the influence of adverse factors, it goes into the active phase, in which a person begins to feel disturbing symptoms.
Infection pathways
Regarding the way HPV types 16 and 18 are transmitted, doctors say that in most cases, infection occurs during sexual contact, in any form (genital, oral, anal). Typically, the virus is transmitted from man to woman.
It is also possible to get infected by domestic means, but such cases are quite rare. Infection can occur when using the same personal care products. In addition, the virus is transmitted from mother to child at the moment when it passes through the birth canal.
It is almost impossible to establish the exact cause and time of infection, since the incubation period can last for years. Nevertheless, the following categories of people are at risk:
- with reduced immunity;
- promiscuous;
- smokers
- people who abuse alcohol;
- taking narcotic drugs;
- often under stress.
The first factor is the main one, the rest are indirect, under the influence of which the transition to the active phase of the existing HPV types 16 and 18 in women most often occurs.
Symptoms
Manifestations of papillomavirus depend on its type. The main symptom is always a rash. In HPV oncogenic types (16, 18), women and men develop bownoid papulosis, which is represented by flat plaques that rise above the surface of the skin or mucous membrane. Rashes can be pink, white or yellow. Most often they are localized on the labia majora in women and the head of the penis in men.
In addition, the symptoms of papillomavirus infection can be:
- itching, burning in the genital area;
- copious discharge;
- discomfort, pain during intercourse and urination.
These signs are indirect, as they can indicate a large number of diseases.
Diagnostics
If alarming symptoms appear, consult a gynecologist. During the examination, he will conduct an initial diagnosis, including:
- Interrogation, clarification of patient complaints. The doctor needs to provide information on how long the symptoms appeared, what diseases the closest relatives suffer from.
- Examination on a gynecological chair. The doctor assesses the condition of the skin and mucous membranes in order to detect external manifestations of papillomavirus (warts, warts, etc.). After that, he examines the cervix and vagina with the help of mirrors and takes biomaterial for examination.
It is important to understand that HPV tests 16 and 18 are a necessary diagnostic step that must be passed, despite the fact that in most medical institutions it is carried out on a paid basis. According to the results of studies, the doctor can judge the presence of other types of virus, both oncogenic and those that do not cause cancer, as well as the degree of infection load on the body.
In addition, women are shown colposcopy. This is a research method that allows you to identify any changes in the cervical mucosa that are almost impossible to detect with a standard examination on a gynecological chair.
When confirming the diagnosis, the sexual partner should be diagnosed by a urologist.
Drug treatment
It is important to understand that it is currently impossible to get rid of papillomavirus. If infection has occurred, the infection can be in the body either in a dormant state or in an active phase. Accordingly, the goal of therapy is the transition of the virus into a form in which it does not have a negative effect.
Treatment of HPV types 16 and 18 is also carried out in order to prevent the appearance of a malignant tumor.
Drug therapy is aimed at combating the virus, as well as strengthening the body's defenses. As a rule, to suppress HPV types 16 and 18 in women and men, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- "Isoprinosine";
- "Panavir";
- “Transfer Factor”;
- Interferon
- Cordyceps
- Derinat;
- "Polyoxidonium";
- Wobenzym
- Cycloferon;
- Alpizarin;
- Indinol.
Reception of immunomodulating and antiviral agents reduces the degree of load and helps strengthen the body's defenses. It must be understood that any drugs, especially with HPV types 16 and 18, should be prescribed by a doctor. This is due to the fact that improperly selected medications, on the contrary, have a depressing effect on the immune system, as a result of which the risk of developing an oncological disease increases significantly. In addition, each of the above funds has serious side effects and contraindications.
Surgery
Removal of formations caused not only by HPV type 16, type 18, but also by all others is a necessary measure. Getting rid of the focal point of infection allows you to prevent an even greater spread of the virus to healthy tissues.
Currently, plaques, papillomas, condylomas, etc. benign neoplasms are removed using the following methods:
- Surgical excision. Under local anesthesia, the growths are removed with a scalpel, after which they are sent to the laboratory for histological examination. If degenerated cells are found in the biomaterial, a thorough diagnosis is shown to the patient. The possibility of repeated surgical excision of the entire focus is not excluded.
- Laser removal. It is also carried out under local anesthesia. Under the influence of a laser beam, the process of evaporation of fluid from the growths starts. They sharply decrease in size, and at the end of the operation they are dry crusts that fall off on their own within 1-2 weeks.
- Radio wave method. A painless method widely used in oncology. It is based on the point irradiation of pathologically altered cells, resulting in their death.
- Electrocoagulation It implies an effect on outgrowths by electric current. The operation is painless, also performed under local anesthesia.
- Cryodestruction. Removal of growths occurs using liquid nitrogen.
- Application of chemically aggressive substances. The growths are treated with drugs several times, after which they are reduced in size, dry and fall off.
Removal of formations caused by HPV type 16, the 18th, as well as all others, does not guarantee that they will no longer appear. With the transition of the virus into an active form, growths can occur again.
If not treated
Some people do not think about the consequences of HPV infection with types 16, 18, etc., which have a high degree of oncogenicity. But papillomas, warts and condylomas are not only a cosmetic defect. This is the focus of infection, which over time spreads to healthy tissues, increasing its area. In addition, growths are easily injured, so that various pathogens can penetrate the body.
Judging by medical reviews, HPV types 16 and 18 are not a sentence, but if untreated, the risk of developing cervical cancer in women and adenocarcinoma in men increases significantly.
Forecast
If a virus of high oncogenic risk is detected, it is necessary to remove the growths by the surgical method and carry out drug therapy. The course must be repeated every time the infection enters the active phase.
If the process of diagnosis reveals the degeneration of healthy cells into cancer cells, additional treatment is prescribed. At an early stage, coping with the disease is much easier than at a late stage.
Thus, the prognosis is quite favorable if you regularly visit your doctor and follow all his recommendations.
How to prevent infection
The main preventive measure against HPV infection with oncogenic types is vaccination. It is most advisable to inject before the period of sexual activity. This is because the drug reliably protects against papillomavirus, but does not relieve it if infection has already occurred.
In addition, one of the most important preventive measures is: legibility in sexual relations and the use of the barrier method of contraception.
Finally
Human papillomavirus is an infection that cannot be eliminated. All existing methods of treatment are aimed at eliminating symptoms and external manifestations, as well as strengthening the body's defenses and reducing the load on it. With infection, you must regularly visit your doctor and undergo an examination. If you follow all the recommendations of a specialist, the risk of degeneration of healthy cells into a cancerous tumor is significantly reduced.