Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to a viral infection.Papillomavirus occurs in most people, regardless of gender.But in frequent cases this virus does not show characteristic symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of an 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 through contact with infected people.This virus appears as a result of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of several types, entering the body.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 more dangerous types that not only affect the genital area, but also cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not immediately have a negative effect, since it must go through a certain process through which it can gradually disrupt the functioning of the body.
First it must penetrate the cell and then attach itself firmly to it.When the body's protective functions decrease, the infection can cause clinical manifestations.But, despite the capabilities of the virus, the body is quite capable of destroying it on its own.The virus may be present in the body for a long time, but the disease may not appear immediately.After all, the immune system fights viruses, destroying the pathogenic factor before it can cause harm to 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 the infection occur?
This infection is often sexually transmitted, even if contraception is used.There are also other situations in which you can easily become infected with HPV, these include:
- infection through scratches or abrasions;
- come into contact with infected skin;
- articles for the hygiene of the wearer;
- 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 infected people.There are cases in which the infection occurs through contact with the affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during massage.Medical personnel are also at high risk of infection from inhaling dust during laser removal of genital warts.
However, without certain conditions, it is difficult for the virus to manifest its activity.Factors contributing to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- first 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.
Because 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 manifests itself without noticeable symptoms, which is the main reason for the active spread of various diseases.If the patient does not undergo examination, he will not know that there is human papillomavirus infection in his body, since it develops without external manifestations.Therefore, the patient will continue to unknowingly infect other people.However, HPV does not live long in the external environment, as it has low 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 formations that appear in various places with high humidity.Papillomavirus is usually localized in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.It occurs especially often in the oral cavity, conjunctivitis, larynx, bronchi, rectum and genitals.
Indirect signs of HPV appear in the form of a precancerous condition.Oncological diseases rarely develop.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 with single warts.
What does papilloma look like?
The human papillomavirus manifests itself as neoplasms similar to normal warts, but unlike them they are softer.Warts caused by papillomavirus look like small nodules.Papillomas in the form of warts can be observed on the hands.HPV is also usually located on the face or leg.Often such warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can take the form of warts which, unlike warts, grow in the genital area.If such tumors are left untreated, they can actively progress.
In addition, their presence significantly interferes with sexual activity, and painful sensations may occur during urination.Warts are easily damaged, can constantly bleed, cause irritation in the perineum, which ultimately leads to the development of bacterial infections.
How does HPV develop?
The virus goes through 3 phases of development:
- HPV infection in the body;
- precancer;
- Cancer.
The last phase should be avoided as it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous conditions can be treated successfully.
The incubation period of 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 the human papillomavirus takes 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 last up to 9-12 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 disappear on its own after a few years, it means that it has become a chronic contagion.In this case, the viral particle has taken root well in the cell, which is why active destructive actions can begin at any time.In this case, the virus will begin to actively produce proteins, which will interrupt all phases of the cell cycle.As a result, old cells that should no longer reproduce will also divide.But there may still be some mechanisms that will limit the influence of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that HPV attacks them aggressively.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 leads to genetic problems and mutations.Furthermore, the tissues have the ability 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.
Virus diagnosis
As soon as an infection is suspected, 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 performed.It is recommended to carry it out when various sexually transmitted diseases and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is first diagnosed through clinical examination.To find out in detail the type of virus and stage, examinations are carried out in the form of extended colposcopy, cytological and histological studies on biopsy samples.The virus can be detected by analyzing DNA, antibodies and oncoproteins (E6, E7).Since there are HPV negative and HPV positive, it is important to determine the status of the virus in the body.
If the test reveals a high number of HPV, in this case the infection has become malignant.Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a quantitative analysis to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If the studies showed 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, lives only on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, and does not penetrate deeper layers, many wonder whether the HPV infection can disappear on its own.The virus can actually disappear without external influences.After all, human skin and mucous membranes are constantly changing.Since the surface layer of the skin renews itself after a certain time, the virus can be removed by itself from the old cells.According to statistics, cases have been recorded when HPV disappears on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, treatment of the disease is not required, that is, if characteristic warts and precancerous signs are not present.However, it is necessary to determine the stage of development of the disease, and for this it is important to know which doctor to contact if you suspect the presence of human papillomavirus in the body.You should visit a therapist or dermatologist.Consultation with other specialized specialists may be necessary in the future, depending on the location of the training.
Treatment options
To remove human papillomavirus from the body, it is necessary to undergo complex therapy:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- if necessary, removal of papillomas.
As therapy, drugs that strengthen and stimulate the immune system are prescribed.They contain vitamins B6, C, E and adaptogens.Medicines can take the form of tablets, injections, swabs with ointment, vaginal suppositories.This depends on the progression of the disease and the area where the papilloma occurs.
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 fight such infections, it is necessary to take special drugs that contain substances to enhance immunity.
Modern high-quality medicine helps to quickly get rid of HPV, preventing possible negative manifestations in the form of cancer.
Self-medication is not recommended as the risk of the virus progressing is high.Self-medication can be harmful, especially for genital diseases.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the manifestation of the disease, the doctor selects an appropriate treatment method that can prevent the further development of the papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed through medical procedures.But papilloma can disappear on its own.If there is a large number of papillomas and warts in one place, only some of the 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.If it is a cosmetic problem it is not necessary to delay therapy, since papillomas can appear on the face, especially on the nose, eyelids and lips.
You can remove the affected tissue:
- surgery;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser method;
- cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen;
- chemical combustion.
Warts should not be picked or cut.Because of this, in fact, numerous neoplasms can arise.It is better to remove the papilloma by a specialist who will carry out the procedure taking into account the conditions of the papillomavirus.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented with a vaccine.Immunization is recommended for adolescent girls before their first sexual intercourse.Thus, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of the infection, without providing the virus with favorable soil for development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenerologist who treats sexually transmitted diseases and skin.
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 might be causing the infection.Since viral particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, prevention of papillomavirus begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, in this way the defenses can effectively fight 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 with 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 sex and use only barrier contraceptive methods.
For timely diagnosis of papillomavirus, women need to regularly visit a gynecologist, and men - a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, each patient can eliminate or completely prevent the occurrence of infections and other negative consequences of this viral disease.