People remember the papilloma virus only when it makes itself felt by visible manifestations. But not everyone knows that most of us are carriers of this viral disease. In addition to purely cosmetic discomfort, this virus causes cancers in the cervix in women and many other troubles. About ways of infection, preventive measures, treatment of papillomas this article.
Omnipresent and diverse
The human papilloma virus has long been known - it is he who is responsible for the benign growth of cells and the formation of various types of warts (papillomas) on the skin and mucous membranes (warts). But he came under the scrutiny of doctors when he found a direct connection with cervical cancer in women - in 90% of biopsy samples, the human papillomavirus is detected. At the same time, about 70% of the world's population are its carriers and these are all age groups - children, adults and elderly people. The virus is found in men and women, is available on all continents of the planet. Today, more than 600 strains of papillomaviruses are found in humans, more than 40 of which cause the formation of vulgar (ordinary) warts, papillomas and genital warts. The virus has a certain trophicity to the urogenital tract and to the skin.
Poliomavirus Family
All human papillomaviruses belong to the family Papillomaviridae, which consists of 5 genera and 27 species. The Human papillomavirus species includes more than 100 strains with varying degrees of pathogenicity for humans. The dimensions of the virion (extracellular shape) have a diameter of 45 nanometers and cubic symmetry. These are viruses with a simple capsid (shell) and a nucleoid containing double-stranded DNA. About 100 serotypes to which numbers are registered are registered. In the external environment, the virion is unstable, but for some time it can maintain contagiousness on objects.
Routes of entry into the body
The "reservoir" of infection is only a person. For penetration of the papilloma virus into epithelial cells, direct contact is necessary. Infection most often occurs during unprotected intercourse with an infected person, and the clinical manifestations of the disease may be absent. Self-infection during shaving, hair removal and other skin-injuring procedures is possible.
In the acute form, when the virus is present in saliva, contact-household infection is possible. In addition, the papillomavirus is quite stable in the aquatic environment, so they can be infected in the pool, sauna. You can catch the virus in a medical office in the absence of proper sterilization of equipment. Infection of the newborn is possible if the mother has genital warts in the birth canal and genitals.
What happens in cells after a virus attack
Once through the damaged integuments and mucous membranes, the virus infects the lower layer of epithelial cells. In cells, it can be present in two forms: episomal (when the virus genome is not integrated into the cell genome) and integrated (integrates its hereditary material into the DNA of the host cell). The result of the virus entering the cell is a violation of its life cycle and uncontrolled growth.
The number of young viruses in the cell increases; epithelial cells do not go through the full differentiation cycle. The structure of the epithelium is violated, thickenings and epithelial outgrowths of a benign or malignant nature are formed, which depends on the type of papillomavirus and on the immune status of the human body.
Pathogen serotypes
Papillomavirus has more than 100 varieties or serotypes. About 40 of them cause various pathological manifestations in humans. At the same time, non-oncogenic serotypes (human papillomavirus (HPV) type 1,2,3,5), low-oncogenous serotypes and highly oncogenic (the most common - HPV16 and HPV18) are distinguished. Recent studies are translating an increasing number of serotypes into the category of oncogenic. It is HPV16 in 54% of cases that leads to cervical cancer in women. The treatment of human papillomavirus in the early stages of its development is therefore of great clinical importance. And in this direction, doctors are actively talking about the need for state infection screening programs.
State of the problem today
According to medical statistics, in the United States the level of costs for the diagnosis and treatment of human papillomavirus virus is second only to AIDS.
There is experimental evidence that this virus is an inducer of many types of cancer of the mucous membranes and skin integuments. But the most important thing is that it is he who causes the second most common cancer among women - cervical cancer.
Papillomavirus infection is often asymptomatic for a rather long period of time. And this is what causes the late diagnosis of human papillomavirus in women, while the treatment of late stages of cervical cancer is the most problematic. Often the only way to get rid of oncology is surgery.
Modern diagnostic methods may well prevent cancer from the papilloma virus in women, while treatment of precancerous conditions and the initial stages of cancer always has a better chance of recovery.
The clinical picture of the disease
Once in the body, human infection begins with the incubation period. It can last from a month to several years, the virus during this period behaves quietly and does not manifest itself in any way. But with the onset of favorable conditions for the pathogen, its activity increases, visible signs of infection appear. The symptomatology of the disease is the same in men and women and is characterized by the appearance of:
- Papillomas with a rough surface, or vulgar warts. Their diameter is up to 2 millimeters, appear more often in groups on the hands, under the knees.
- Flat neoplasms of the color of the skin. Often hyperemic and itchy.
- Flat neoplasms on the sole of the feet. In the initial stage, they look like dry corns. Over time, they take the form of full-fledged papillomas.
- Papillomas are filiform - can reach up to 6 millimeters. Thin and yellow.
- Genital warts on the mucous membranes. They do not cause pain. Sizes may vary. They are located on thin legs and have a skin tone.
The impetus for the onset of symptoms may be a decrease in the overall immune status of the body, smoking and alcohol abuse, stress, transmitted infections, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The risk group includes all sexually active strata of the population.
Diagnostic measures
In the stage of manifestation of the acute form of the disease, a gynecologist, urologist, and, of course, a dermatologist can diagnose it. The clinical picture with the appearance of papillomas gives no doubt in the diagnosis. To determine the type of papillomavirus, additional studies are carried out - a blood test for the polymerase chain reaction, quantitative HPV tests. Does the papilloma virus have oncogenicity in women? It is determined by calposcopy and tissue biopsy from the cervix.
Destructive treatment of papillomas
These are methods of getting rid of neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes.
- Cryodestruction, or treatment with liquid nitrogen. With this method of treating human papillomas, each neoplasm is frozen for 30 seconds. Before the papilloma completely disappears, 2-3 procedures will take place. After local treatment of the papilloma virus, only a small wound will remain, which will quickly heal. The method is quite inexpensive, does not require anesthesia, the effectiveness is up to 80%. The disadvantages can be considered the appearance of pigmentation at the site of treatment of papilloma. In women, this method raises many concerns.
- Laser therapy - exposure to a papilloma with a laser beam causes boiling of the cellular contents and its transformation into a scab. It disappears within a week. The procedure requires local anesthesia, the efficiency is up to 70%, residual scars are possible. Laser treatment of human papillomas is quite expensive.
- The deathermocoagulation method involves exposure to neoplasms by high-frequency currents that destroy intracellular proteins and tissues. This method of treating human papillomas in women and men is advisable for large single tumors, since coagulation of blood vessels also occurs. An expensive method, requiring anesthesia, scarring is possible, but the efficiency is up to 95%.
- The radio waves of the Surgitron apparatus destroy the structure of cells and stimulate the coagulation of papillomas. Treatment of the virus with this method is safe, does not require analgesia, is effective in 90% of cases, but is expensive.
An integrated approach is important
The treatment of the papilloma virus in addition to destructive measures involves the correction of the general immune status of the body. In this case, immunomodulating and antiviral drugs based on interferons are used. Their use enhances the specific immune response and raises the status of the system.
As you know, it is impossible to completely get rid of papillomavirus. In 90% of cases, the body muffles the infection on its own, but in acute situations, treatment is necessary, and it should be prescribed by a specialist. Without eliminating the causes and treatment of papillomas, they can lead to sad consequences: cracks and bleeding in the localization of neoplasms, the attachment of secondary infections and the expansion of the affected area.
Modern medicine is not conservative
Herbalists and traditional healers say that in the classical sense there was no medicine when papillomas were already. Alternative treatment for papillomas offers many recipes. Nevertheless, it is better to consult a doctor. Here are just a few recipes for local treatment.
External use of freshly squeezed green celandine juice will certainly lead to drying out of the papilloma. True, such a destruction can take a lot of time. In addition, this method is not recommended for excretion of genital warts.
Good reviews are garlic cream. Take two parts of any cream and one part of mashed garlic. With this mixture, a bandage is lubricated and an application is made for 2-3 hours in the papilloma meta. Course duration from two weeks.
If you are not afraid of additional pigmentation, you can apply ground young walnuts. The tincture is prepared as follows: on a three-liter jar take two-thirds of the nuts, which are filled with pure kerosene. After three weeks of infusion, the liquid is filtered and placed in a dark glass bottle. The affected area of the skin is lubricated in the morning and evening for at least 10 days.
Reviews about the treatment of papillomas with laundry soap are often exaggerated. After all, it consists of components that, from the point of view of doctors, have no therapeutic value. The People’s Council says that papillomas will disappear if a bandage with a thick layer of soaked soap is fixed on it for the night. The procedure is advised to carry out until the papilloma dries. Well, you can try.
Papillomas on the body
These benign formations can appear on any part of the body, but more often they occur on the delicate skin of the armpits and on the neck. Papilloma treatment is necessary when they are troubling, located in places where they are constantly injured or for cosmetic purposes. In no case is it recommended to remove them yourself. Treatment of papillomas on the neck and other parts of the body is carried out in the following ways: cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), exposure to a solution of podophyllin resin, laser removal.
The treatment of papillomas in a medical institution provides another advantage - the collection of samples for histological examination. This procedure is carried out at the request of the patient. And although in most cases these neoplasms are benign in nature, to be convinced of this will never be superfluous.
HPV16 and HPV18
It is these serotypes that are deservedly considered the causes of flat condyloma of the cervix, which can degenerate into a malignant formation. Papillomavirus changes the shape and size of the epithelial nuclei, as a result of which condyloma grows and leads to cervical dysplasia. Flat condylomas are already the result of a long and chronic infection process. Calposcopy will show the degree of malignancy of this formation. If malignant cells are detected, treatment is carried out in oncology dispensaries. Destructive and restorative methods of treatment are used.
It is in relation to flat condylomas of the cervix that increases the importance of vaccinating women of childbearing age from 12 years. Foreign statistics provide positive dynamics on this issue. Oncological diseases in men associated with the presence of the human papillomavirus in the body have not been identified.
Prevention and vaccination
There is no specific prophylaxis for this infection. To prevent the appearance of papillomas, the treatment of which is always associated with certain risks, it is important to adhere to the general rules of body hygiene, strengthen the body's immune forces, and avoid promiscuous sexual relationships. Recall that up to 90% of people are carriers of this virus, and a condom is not a guarantee in the prevention of infection.
The virus vaccine in the world has not yet been invented, but there are many certified vaccines that prevent the development of infection in the human body. Vaccination is recommended for women and men of childbearing age. Disputes over the safety of vaccination in the world of medicine are still ongoing. Among the side effects, infertility in women is often mentioned. Therefore, everyone for himself must make such a decision and consult with specialists.
To summarize
If you find papillomas in yourself, your partner or child, do not panic and do not look for ways to self-medicate. The best choice is to consult a specialist who will establish the type of human papillomavirus. Treatment is prescribed only individually and only if necessary. Remember: the human papillomavirus in your body is more likely than not, and its activity directly depends on the effectiveness of the body's defenses. Take care of yourself, taking care of your health and the health of your loved ones.