Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common infection on planet Earth. It belongs to the family of papillomaviruses and includes more than 170 strains, that is, types.
On a note! Statistics say that 90% of the world's population is infected with a particular HPV strain.
It is the human papillomavirus that causes people to have benign tumors on the skin or mucosa - papillomas that grow from the squamous epithelium. Sometimes, however, they can be congenital or appear due to some kind of inflammatory irritation of a chronic nature.
HPV affects not only women, but also men. It all depends on the defenses of a person, that is, on his immunity. Moreover, the disease may not appear immediately after infection, and its first signs can be seen only after a few months.
In the event that papilloma is observed on visible parts of the body, for example, on the neck or face, then its removal is more cosmetic in nature. The formation of a wart on the mucous membrane, for example, the larynx, can cause a violation of the respiratory function or swallowing and cost a person life.
How can you get HPV? What are the methods of treatment for this ailment? What is the prevention of this disease? How is the diagnosis carried out? Let's get it right.
Papilloma characteristic
The name of this growth is derived from the Latin papillo, which translates as “nipple”, and oma - all the names of tumors in Greek have such an ending. HPV is the result of proliferation of mucosal or skin cells. Then there is the formation of small tumors on the leg, the color of which can vary from pinkish to light brown. The shape of the papilloma can be conical or the same along its entire length, convex or flat, oval or round.
On a note! Sometimes, papilloma can grow and take the form and shape, similar to cauliflower or the crest of a rooster.
Virus Transmission Routes
How is HPV transmitted:
- Sexually, that is, anal, genital or oral-genital.
- In the process of childbirth from mother to infant. As a result, the baby may have respiratory papillomatosis, that is, laryngeal, which is characterized by damage to the oropharynx infection.
- Is it possible to get HPV in a domestic way? Sure you may. This method of infection is called contact-household, for example, through touch. Is it possible to catch HPV through a kiss? Yes, especially if there are scratches or abrasions on the skin in the oral cavity. Through household items, infection also occurs if they are not disinfected.
- Can I get HPV in the pool? Yes, if sanitary standards are not respected. And not only in the pool, but also in the sauna, beauty salon, on the beach, in the bath, in the toilet and in the gym.
- Self-infection or autoinoculation. It can occur during hair removal or shaving.
On a note! There are several ways to infect HPV, but remember: for the time being, the virus does not manifest itself in any way. It is activated exclusively at the moment when your immune system weakens.
Causes of the disease
The main reasons for the development of pathology, as we said above, are two main points: the entry of the human papillomavirus onto the mucous or superficial layer of the epithelium, as well as weakened immunity. What can increase the chances of developing an ailment? The likelihood of contracting HPV is increased due to factors such as:
- constant use of strong drinks;
- gastrointestinal pathology;
- smoking;
- recent illnesses such as influenza or SARS (shortly before HPV infection);
- systematic stressful situations.
HPV infection mechanism
Once on the skin of a person, the virus quickly affects the flat and transitional layers of the epithelium. Moreover, HPV can live in the body for a rather long time, without revealing itself in any way, since the reproduction of infectious agents is very inactive.
After this, under the influence of various factors, the rapid growth of the structural elements of microorganisms occurs, which is the reason for the appearance of external manifestations in the form of the first warts. They can prompt a person to go for a consultation with a doctor.
On a note! Reproduction of the virus begins at a time when the body's defenses are weakened. In other words, when the level of immunity is reduced.
What can significantly affect the development of HPV:
- hormonal disruptions;
- non-observance of simple rules of personal hygiene;
- abuse of strong drinks;
- abortions;
- promiscuous sexual activity;
- overwork and stressful situations;
- the beginning of sexual activity in adolescence;
- taking antibiotics for a long time;
- a variety of serious pathologies, including HIV infection and diabetes;
- smoking.
Varieties of the virus
Before telling how you can get infected with HPV, let's look at the main types of the human virus, which today number about 70. Moreover, pundits did not begin to philosophize for a long time, giving each pathogen a separate name. They simply assigned each individual microorganism its own serial number - the 1st, 2nd and so on up to 70.
Some of them pose a certain danger in terms of what can provoke the formation of malignant neoplasms. For example, numbers:
- 70, 61, 54, 44-42, 40, 11, and 6 — low cancer risk group;
- 66, 58, 53-51, 35, 33, 31 and 26 - medium onkorisk;
- 68, 59, 56, 45, 39, 36, 18 and 16 - have the highest oncogenic properties.
Important! Pathogens of the 16th and 18th types pose the greatest threat to women, since they are the cause of malignant tumors of the cervix. And strains such as the 6th or 11th are considered harmless to human health.
How HPV women get infected
According to statistics, it is the weaker sex that is most often susceptible to HPV infection. And this despite the fact that there is a vaccine, the introduction of which can protect against this ailment. How can you get HPV? Very simple - during intercourse through the rectum, vagina and oral mucosa. That is, infection with the human papilloma virus can occur not only in the process of the classic intercourse of a man and a woman, but also with its anal version, and with oral caresses.
At first, when the virus enters the cervical tissue (if we are talking about the numbers of strains 16 and 18), no pathological changes occur. And only after several years in the places where HPV penetrates into the surface epithelial cells, papillomas appear, which at first have a benign character.
They can be removed by a specialist without any complications. That is, the difficulty lies in the fact that the initial stage is completely asymptomatic and does not cause a woman any concern. And only in the later stages does the degeneration of cells from benign to malignant occur.
Classification of papillomas
Depending on the shape of the papilloma, they are divided into:
- plantar;
- flat;
- simple or vulgar;
- genital - they are also called condylomas;
- filiform.
Plantar Papillomas
Neoplasms of this type (in the classification of the numbers of these strains are 1, 2 and 4) can be observed on the feet from the outside (that is, on the sole). Initially, they look like shiny and whitish spots that resemble corns. Then they become more noticeable as a result of their elevation above the skin.
The development of a mesh neoplasm resembling a mosaic around the main papilloma is allowed. The patient has a number of problems: it is difficult for him to move around, he constantly feels pain, and choosing comfortable shoes is also difficult.
Flat papillomas
For these neoplasms (strain numbers are 3 and 10), characteristic features are redness of the skin, their itching and pain. They are oval and slightly elongated in shape. The color of flat papillomas is not much different from the skin tone, that is, they are even difficult to notice. After all, they are issued over the surface of the skin by only a few millimeters.
Most often, they occur in women on the cervix, although they can also appear on the face, lips and external genitalia. Moreover, if the gynecologist observes significant changes in the mucosal epithelium, then this indicates that the virus has been in the body for quite some time, possibly for several years.
Simple papillomas
These neoplasms, which are also called vulgar, are not clear, however, why, can be observed on the knees, palms and between the fingers. Moreover, appearing once, they can be located in the usual places for a very long time without any changes.
Some experts believe that simple papillomas are exclusively benign in nature. Others are of the opinion that over time they can degenerate into malignant.
Condylomas
Pointed neoplasms are observed on the mucosa and on the skin of the genitals, not only in women, but also in men. The reason for their formation are virus strains belonging to the group with low oncogenicity.
A distinctive feature of condyloma is that it has a leg, which allows the neoplasm to rise above the surface of the skin. Genital papillomas are located in groups or one at a time. Most often, women can find them in the washing process. It should be noted that itching is not included in the symptoms of HPV. Condylomas respond poorly to treatment and often give relapses in the form of mycoplasmosis or chlamydia.
On a note! A patient with similar growths resembling cauliflower in appearance may experience inconvenience not only of a physical nature, but also of a psychological one.
Filiform papillomas
This type of neoplasm (strain numbers 2 and 7) is also called acrochord. Most often, they are observed in people whose age has exceeded 50. The filamentous papilloma has a thin leg, passing into the formation of an elongated shape. The acrochords are very easy to injure, as they are located in places such as the neck, hollows under the armpits, chest, groin and upper eyelid.
Diagnostics
How you can get infected with HPV you already know. Let's talk about the diagnosis of pathology. Manifestations of the human papillomavirus in women can be detected by examining the uterine neck and genitals by a gynecologist, during which the doctor makes a scraping for an oncocytological examination and taking a smear for the Digene test (we will talk about them in more detail below).
In case of detection of HPV, a specialist necessarily examines the walls of the vagina, the entrance to it and the adjacent part of the cervix using a lighting device and binocular. In other words, produces a colposcopy procedure.
At times, a biopsy may be necessary to clarify the diagnosis. This procedure is a collection of tissues or cells from the surface of the cervix with the aim of their further histological examination.
And now about special testing methods in more detail:
- Polymerase chain reaction. Such an analysis helps to determine the presence or absence of DNA of a viral microorganism in almost any biological material. Also, using this method, it is possible to establish the type of virus that provoked the pathology. The disadvantage of this method is the high probability of obtaining inaccurate data during the study.
- Oncocytological analysis. Such a study allows you to recognize cancer cells already at the initial stage of their development, when the pathology proceeds without any symptoms.
- Quantitative Digene Test. To date, this diagnostic method is the most productive and highly accurate. Using it, you can determine both the presence of papillomatosis and the quantitative indicator of the virus. The higher it is, the greater the risk that the tumor is malignant.
On a note! Testing helps to appropriately evaluate the results of therapeutic measures. Yes, it is unlikely to fully cope with HPV, but proper treatment can significantly reduce the activity of viral agents.
HPV treatment methods
How HPV is transmitted, you already know. How to cure him is the question. Just do not try to get rid of the neoplasms yourself, for example, tear off or remove with a thread. You can infect the wound or severely injure the skin at the location of the papilloma.
Can HPV be cured? The human papilloma virus is considered an incurable pathology, but already formed papillomas can be removed by a specialist in a completely safe way for health.
Why should I seek help only at a medical facility? First, only a specialist can determine the benignness or malignancy of a tumor. Secondly, in each case, adequate treatment will be selected. Thirdly, any procedures of this nature should be carried out by specialists.
How to treat HPV? Methods of treating papillomas:
- With cauterizing drugs like Celandine or Solcoderm.
- Using ointments with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, for example, Panavir, Aldara, Viferon or Vartek.
On a note! Combined therapy gives the best result. Although she can not guarantee one hundred percent recovery. By the way, a cure for HPV is good, but sometimes the immune system itself can eliminate the “nasty” pathogen that prevents you from living normally. Try to increase the defenses of your body. And do not forget about an active and healthy lifestyle.
How to treat HPV? Methods that are used to treat papillomas:
- Laser Therapy
- Cryodestruction.
- Electrocoagulation
Folk remedies
Can HPV be cured with traditional medicine? In some cases, you can. Just remember - good results can be achieved if you use medications in parallel with the use of traditional medicine. Here are some simple recipes:
- We process papillomas daily with celandine juice. You can do this with a concentrate purchased in a pharmacy chain, or you can use a fresh plant, plucked in your garden. Important! Be extremely careful when applying juice to the neoplasm. Contact with healthy skin can cause burns.
- Lubricate the papillomas with ammonia or apple juice (exclusively natural and just squeezed). We apply the liquid with a cotton swab exactly on the neoplasm.
- As a medicine for HPV, you can use a decoction of horsetail, plantain leaf, rose hips, dandelion roots and lemon balm. All ingredients are mixed in equal proportions. Then pour the resulting green mass (3 tablespoons) with hot water (800 ml), boil for 10 minutes, remove from heat, insist for 2 hours, filter and drink ½ cup three times a day.
- Another recipe. We mix in equal proportions hop cones, coltsfoot, yarrow, oregano and birch buds. Pour the resulting dry mixture (2 tablespoons) with boiling water (500 ml), insist (preferably in a thermos bottle) for at least 5 hours, filter and take 100 ml before meals 4 times a day.
- We mix in equal parts calendula, root of the hemophilus and immortelle. The resulting herbal mixture (2 tablespoons) is poured with boiling water (500 ml), infused for one hour, filtered and consumed 4 times a day for 2 tablespoons.
- We use eucalyptus or tea tree oil, which have an immunomodulating and cauterizing effect. Every day we apply them pointwise on neoplasms.
On a note! We draw your attention to the fact that decoctions should be drunk for at least 2 weeks in a row. Then you should take a break for one month and again, if desired, repeat the course of herbal therapy. But remember: the total number of courses during the year should not exceed three.
Important! By doing the above procedures every day, you can cope with papillomas in a short time. But, know, if you do not see them, this does not mean that HPV is not present in your body.
In custody
How not to get HPV from a partner? Very simple:
- be protected, especially if it is an accidental sexual intercourse;
- have one trusted partner in sex - this, by the way, is the best option;
- lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
- keep your immune system up to par.