Human papillomavirus or HPV is a very specific infectious disease from the category of papovaviridea, which has the ability to infect and transform epithelial cells.
In the article, we will examine whether a human papilloma is dangerous.
About the virus
More than a hundred varieties of the virus stand out, 35 of which are able to affect the urogenital region of the human body, affecting the upper epithelial layer of the skin and mucous membranes of the organs of the reproductive system.
According to the World Health Organization, every sixth person on the planet is a carrier of HPV. An infection provoked by the papillomavirus manifests itself in the form of genital warts or warts. Papillomas are localized on the skin and mucous membrane and are convex formations. HPV occurs in a chronic form and has the property of constantly recurring.
Are papillomas dangerous? It depends on its type.
Risk factors
First, we will understand the mechanism of the appearance of the papillomavirus. The causative agent of the disease is a virus that affects the mucous membranes and the upper epithelial layer of the organs of the reproductive system. The transmission of the virus is carried out from one person to another, and infection can occur only through direct contact with the patient’s mucosa or skin.
Factors that can trigger papilloma infection are:
1. Sexual intercourse. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
2. At birth. If the mother is infected with HPV, the disease can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth.
3. Autoinoculation. In this case, self-infection occurs due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.
4. The household way. Papillomavirus is very viable. It is stored in public places for quite some time. Infection occurs through damaged skin.
So, are papillomas dangerous, and if so, with what?
Possible pathologies
Depending on the type of virus, the following pathologies can be triggered:
1. Dysplasia of the uterine neck.
2. Cancer of the uterine neck of the pre-invasive and invasive type.
3. Genital warts on the urinary tract and genitals.
4. One in ten healthy women in terms of clinical indicators is a carrier of HPV.
5. In most cases, women with condylomas of the external organs of the reproductive system also have other infectious foci on the cervix and in the vagina.
Thus, patients infected with HPV are at increased risk of developing cervical carcinoma.
Varieties
There are several groups of HPV that are characterized by various manifestations of the disease:
1. The appearance of various formations on the skin in the form of warts is provoked by type 1-5 viruses. Are papillomas on the neck dangerous? This will be discussed below.
2. Warts on the sole, resembling corns, appear due to HPV type 1-4.
3. Flat warts appear by infection with 3, 10, 28, and 49 HPV.
4. Ordinary warts appear due to infection with type 27 HPV.
5. The vulva, genitals, vagina, uterine neck and respiratory tract are infected due to 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 of the HPV type.
6. 39 and other types of HPV are associated with a precancerous condition, as they are considered highly oncogenic.
Not everyone knows if papillomas on the body are dangerous. Papillomavirus can lead to formations on the skin of the neck, face, chest, armpits, genitals, and mucous membranes of the internal organs. These formations are benign in nature, but under certain circumstances they can become malignant.
Why is it necessary to be treated?
The papillomavirus needs to be treated, due to several important factors. The viral strain is an intracellular type parasite that is not able to reproduce on its own. It uses human cells by invasively interfering with their structure. HPV can parasitize for a long time, replacing the DNA of human cells with its own. Activation of the virus occurs, as a rule, against the background of a decrease in immunity.
Are papillomas of a specific type dangerous, you can also check with your doctor.
HPV diseases
At an early stage of the development of the virus, the human immune system has enough power to fight infection. For this reason, pathology does not progress. However, against the background of reduced immunity or some time after infection, a person may begin to experience symptoms associated with the manifestation of the papillomavirus.
We learn further whether papilloma is dangerous for men and women.
HPV can provoke the following pathological processes:
1. Warts or condylomas. These are round formations, hard to the touch, the diameter can reach 1 centimeter. The boundaries of the warts are clear, but there are formations with uneven outlines. Warts occur, as a rule, on the skin, which is most susceptible to damage, namely on the hands, elbows and knees.
2. Warts on the sole. Appear against the background of HPV infection of the first and second type. They are localized in places where skin rubbing or squeezing of the foot occurs. The skin at the site of the wart becomes rougher. The borders of the warts in this case are blurred.
3. Genital warts. This is a specific type of wart that occurs on the mucous membranes and skin of the organs of the reproductive system. Are papillomas dangerous in intimate places? Yes, like any types, they can be reborn. The skin of the labia, the glans penis or foreskin can be affected. In addition, such condylomas can be localized on the uterine neck, vagina, bladder, oral cavity and on the skin around the anus. By external signs, warts resemble uneven convex formations of a small size.
4. Bowenoid papulosis. Small flat plaques localized around the organs of the reproductive system. Their appearance is provoked by HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 42, 48, 51 and 54 types.
It should be remembered that any latent infection, including HPV, comes into an active state against the background of a decrease in the body's immune properties.
We find out further whether the human papillomavirus is dangerous. Consider the symptoms.
Symptoms
The disease passes in a latent form, but in some cases it can cause the appearance of papillomas on the genitals. Genital warts most often affect women from 15 to 30 years old.
Is papilloma dangerous for women? Yes. The main danger associated with HPV is the high likelihood of developing cervical cancer. This pathology shortens a woman's life by an average of 26 years. The risk of developing cancer increases if the virus is in the woman’s body for more than one year.
Cancer of the uterine cervix can occur latently until the last stages, when the effectiveness of therapy is significantly lower.
As for men, HPV is much less dangerous for them than for the female body. Often a man is a passive carrier. The probability of the transformation of the virus into cancer is much lower.
Many people wonder if papillomas on the penis are dangerous. The presence of HPV in the body of a man can cause the appearance of genital warts on the glans penis, foreskin, or bridle. Such formations should be removed as soon as possible, as they interfere with good hygiene and sexual activity.
Prevention
The main directions of preventive measures against papillomavirus infection are:
1. Observance of personal hygiene measures in public places.
2. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, aimed at strengthening the protective qualities of the body.
3. Compliance with the correct mode of work and rest.
4. Moderate physical activity on the body.
5. Timely intake of vitamin complexes, the inclusion in the diet of a sufficient number of juices and fresh fruits.
6. Use of a condom.
Vaccination
At the moment, medicine offers vaccination against HPV. There are two options for drugs: Cervarix and Gardasil. The latter is active against 11, 16 and 18 types of HPV, that is, it prevents uterine neck cancer and the appearance of warts on the genitals. "Cervarix" is designed to protect against type 16 and 18, that is, it prevents cancer, but does not exclude condylomas.
Treatment
Currently, antiviral drugs that can affect papillomavirus infection are absent. Preparations of the interferon group, such as Cycloferon, Reaferon, as well as interferonogens, such as Prodigiosan, Poludan, etc. able to reduce the size of genital warts, but do not affect the appearance of new ones, as well as their number. Surgical removal of genital warts is the only way to combat the disease.
Delete
There are several methods for removing papilloma tissue:
1. Radiosurgical. The radio wave type electrode cuts off the formation, seals the vessels. In the future, wearing an antiseptic dressing is required.
2. Laser. This method is the least invasive, as it runs bloodless and non-contact. Where the condyloma has been removed, a crust forms. The disadvantages of this method are its high cost and high risk of relapse.
3. Electrocoagulation.
4. Surgery. It is performed under local anesthesia.
Before choosing a method of treatment, you need to consult a doctor. The specialist will talk about the available methods of treatment, the possible consequences and contraindications, as well as the pain of a particular procedure.
Removing condylomas is not considered a way to achieve full recovery from the virus. This is due to the fact that a person continues to be a carrier of HPV and warts may appear again after a few years. Doctors recommend that the whole body be refreshed to avoid relapse.
Cryocoagulation
Another effective treatment for genital warts, which is widely used today, is cryocoagulation. The procedure is a cauterization of the affected area of the skin with liquid nitrogen. The procedure can cause discomfort to the patient, as it is painful. Cryocoagulation is carried out for several weeks. In the vast majority of patients, complete elimination of genital warts is observed.
In conclusion, it should be noted that you should not try to get rid of genital warts on your own. This can lead to the development of many unpleasant complications, including malignant tumors. It should also be remembered that during the treatment of HPV, it is necessary to exclude sexual activity, and in some cases, the doctor prescribes examination and treatment to the partner as well, if he has detected the presence of the virus.
Now we know if papillomas are dangerous.