Human papillomavirus in women - symptoms and treatment

When warts appear near the anus, it means that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is progressing in the body. A dangerous infection that can lead to cancer death in the active stage. Diagnosis and treatment must be timely.

What is the human papillomavirus?

HPV is a common genital infection that causes warts to appear in the genital area through active cell division. The group of viruses from the papillomavirus family includes 5 genera, 27 species, more than 170 strains. About 60% of the world's population are infected with HPV. In most cases, the virus has been latent in the body for many years.

Incubation period

Replication takes 3 months if the virus does not manifest itself in any way. In some cases, the incubation period varies from 16 days to 12 months, depending on the level of immunity. During this time, the infection will multiply and affect healthy tissue. The immunity of young women clears HPV on its own in 80-90% of cases. In the remaining 10-20%, the infection intensifies, the disease becomes chronic.

Routes of infection

Human papillomavirus infection in women enters the body in the following ways:

  • Sexually. The main route of infection where the infection enters the body through anal, vaginal contact.
  • Contact and household. The use of things, clothes, shoes, household items of a sick person.
  • From mother to fetus. HPV is passed on to the baby while going through the birth canal if the mother is infected.
  • Contact. Contact with the skin of an infected person.

Causes of HPV in Women

Strong immunity destroys the virus 90% of the time and no treatment is required. It becomes active in the rest of the patients, relapses. The causes of HPV in women are:

  • viral diseases;
  • early sexual activity;
  • HIV-AIDS;
  • frequent change of sexual partners;
  • immunosuppressive therapy;
  • unprotected sexual intercourse;
  • Long-term medication;
  • childbirth, frequent abortions;
  • Diabetes mellitus;
  • Drug addiction, alcoholism in women;
  • chronic diseases of the urogenital area;
  • weak immunity after illness.

What is dangerous

The papillomavirus causes malignant tumors of the cervix, labia, vulva, and anus in women. Breast cancer can progress. In order to exclude uterine dysplasia and the further development of cancer, it is necessary to timely determine the DNA virus and start treatment. HPV during pregnancy is fraught with infection of the fetus. If a woman falls ill while carrying a fetus, then complex therapy begins at 7 months of age, when the child's organs are fully formed.

Oncogenic HPV types

Depending on the degree of cancer risk, a distinction is made between the following types of HPV in women:

  • Not oncogenic. HPV types 1, 2, 4, 5. Pathogenic changes in cells are excluded, cancer does not develop.
  • Low oncogenic. HPV types 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 61, 72, 73 do not cause oncology with persistent immunity. Under the influence of provoking factors, the development of a malignant tumor is possible.
  • Medium oncogenic. HPV types 52, 53, 56, 58 and 30, 35, 45. Under the influence of provoking factors, cancer develops.
  • Highly oncogenic. Hpv types 50, 59, 68, 64, 70 and 16, 18, 31, 33, 39. The likelihood of developing an oncology is high.

HPV 16 and 18 types

HPV type 16 is severely oncogenic. The microbe penetrates the body cells, blocks the anti-tumor defense. In the area of the genitals, anus, gray spots with a rough surface appear. Over time, warts, papillomas, and condylomas form. They are localized not only on the genitals, but also on the neck, eyelids, thighs and armpits.

HPV type 18 also integrates into the DNA of cells, reducing the activity of the immune system, which creates favorable conditions for benign tumors prone to malignancy. Cervical cancer can develop. HPV type 18 also causes papillomas, genital warts, and warts.

Infection symptoms

The signs of infection depend on the stress the person has taken. Initially, the HPV carrier does not feel any discomfort. The virus is in a latent (asymptomatic) form. Under the influence of provoking factors, the following signs of HPV appear:

  • Pain in the external genitals;
  • Burning sensation, discharge from the vagina;
  • Skin neoplasms;
  • Painful intercourse.

Papillomas and condylomas

Skin growths are the first sign of HPV. Genital warts occur when infected with viruses of 6, 11 types. The growths are flesh-colored and externally resemble cauliflower. Such neoplasms are often prone to malignancies, localized in the anus, external genitalia, rarely near the oral cavity. The rashes are varied and can merge into large foci. The main danger is the risk of injury from such a build-up on a thin leg.

Papillomas are caused by the activity of HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. Localized on the lips, eyelids, chest, neck, armpits and mouth. The growths of dense consistency on the leg vary in color (pink, brown, pale). In women, vestibular papillomatosis can worsen. There is no cure for the disease. With strong immunity, such growths go away without treatment, the risk of malignancy is minimal.

Warts

In women, the following types of warts are distinguished in the form:

  • Ordinary (vulgar). Isolated on face, head, fingers, hands. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet and are caused by HPV types 1, 2.
  • Filamentous. Nodules on the leg are located in the groin, under the armpits and mammary glands, on the genitals.
  • Apartment (teen). Localized in the armpits, neck, arms, face and chest. They appear at puberty, go away on their own as they grow up. Caused by a virus of types 3, 5.

diagnosis

To speed up the recovery of girls and women, it is necessary to be examined and correctly determine the type of virus. In dangerous conditions, a woman is registered in a venereal disease department. Diagnostics is complex and includes the following methods:

  • Instrumental examination by a gynecologist. The doctor recognizes skin neoplasms, determines their size and location.
  • Colposcopy. A colposcope is used to examine the vagina, cervix, and vulva. For the accuracy of the study, use Lugol's solution, acetic acid.
  • Biopsy. Scraping biomaterial from the cervix is done to confirm or exclude oncology.
  • PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Determines the presence of human papillomavirus DNA.
  • ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). It is done to detect specific antibodies in the blood in response to the virus's action.

Pap smear

This method is used in gynecology. To find cancerous changes in the epithelium, the cervix is scraped off. The material is taken from the cervical canal, the lining of the inside of the cervix and the vaginal cavity. It is stained, dried, and then examined under a microscope. The purpose of the test is to identify atypical and cancerous cells.

The phases of evaluating the results are as follows:

  • Lack of microbial flora;
  • the initial stage of atypical cells;
  • abnormal structure of the nuclei;
  • Cells with irregular nucleus, cytoplasm, chromosomes;
  • high concentration of malignant cells.

PCR diagnostics

In order to determine the DNA regions characteristic of the papillomavirus, the vagina is scraped. If the result is positive, the antigen concentration per 100 cells is as follows:

  • Lg up to 3 - HPV concentration is low.
  • Lg 3-5 is a large amount of papillomavirus.
  • Lg of 5 - high concentration of HPV.

Digene test

This is a hybrid capture technique that detects regions of the papillomavirus DNA. The screening test is characterized by a high sensitivity (more than 96%), recognizes HPV in the early stages and a tendency towards oncology. The Digene test determines the concentration of the virus, often combined with a cytological examination. The Digene test requires no preparation and is used worldwide for quick results.

Treatment of papillomavirus in women

Complex HPV therapy includes the following areas:

  • Excision of growths on the skin;
  • Taking antiviral drugs;
  • immune-stimulating course of treatment.

Condylomas and papillomas are easy to injure, depending on their location on the body. In addition, neoplasms can grow. Such growths are best removed by surgery. Otherwise, there is an increased risk that skin lesions will soon become cancerous.

drug

Taking medication is necessary to reduce the activity of the virus and strengthen the immune system. The diagnosis is curable. List of drugs for the complex treatment of HPV:

  • Local cauterizers. These are gels, ointments, solutions with organic acids, antiviral components in the composition. This will allow you to remove small growths on the skin and stop them from growing.
  • Antiviral. The composition of drugs includes an antiviral component. When it gets into the body, antibodies against infections are made.
  • Immunomodulators. They inhibit the reproduction of papillomaviruses, stop the growth of skin growths, increase resistance to pathogenic flora, and strengthen the immune system.

Surgical

To stop the growth of neoplasms on the skin with a viral disease, one of the proposed surgical techniques is performed:

  • Laser therapy. Cauterization of growths with a laser. The method is allowed during pregnancy and is characterized by good tolerance and rapid rehabilitation.
  • Cryodestruction. Warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen, after which they disappear painlessly. No scars remain on the body after the procedure.
  • Diathermocoagulation. The growths on the skin are removed with an electric scalpel, electric current. After the procedure, scars and scars remain on the body.
  • Treatment with radio waves. The method is painless, removes medium-sized growths, leaves no scars and has a minimum of medical contraindications.
  • Surgical method. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia after a preliminary examination. Indications - extensive soft tissue lesions, suspicion of oncology. The downside are scars.

Home remedies

To eliminate the manifestations of the papillomavirus in the complex treatment regimen, methods of alternative medicine are used. It is impossible to cure HPV from the inside in this way, but it is really possible to get rid of neoplasms on the skin without any consequences. Use the following health recipes to remove genital warts, warts, and papillomas:

  • Peel off a fresh celandine stalk, rinse it off, rub the growth on the skin. Do the procedure 1 time / day until the wart dries up and falls off on its own.
  • Smear warts with castor oil 3-4 times / day. Continue through the process until the debris is gone.
  • Squeeze the juice of the garlic, smear the lesions of the pathology. Do the procedure 2-3 times / day. Over time, the wart will go away.
  • Halve the rowanberry. Apply to the wart, fix with plaster. Perform the procedure before bedtime, the positive dynamics will be noticeable after 8 days. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
  • Mix lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Stir, apply to external growths 2-3 times / day until they fall off.
Folk remedies for HPV in women

To quickly destroy the virus and strengthen the immune system, healing decoctions and infusions can be included in the complex treatment regimen instead of tea. Folk remedies with immune-stimulating properties are as follows:

  • Conifer infusion. Pour 1 tbsp. l. chopped needles needles 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer for a quarter of an hour over a moderate heat. Cool, strain, take broth before meals (you can add honey).
  • Sugar onions. Cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. Onion peel in a ratio of 1: 10. Insist on broth, strain. Take 1 teaspoon orally. 5-6 times / day before meals (honey can be added).

prophylaxis

It is difficult to choose the right drug and destroy the papillomavirus forever. In addition, antiviral therapy has a number of side effects. You need to take preventive measures in a timely manner. Medical recommendations are as follows:

  • Follow the rules of personal hygiene.
  • Get tested for HPV twice a year.
  • Eliminate promiscuous sex.
  • Use barrier contraception.
  • Strengthening the immune system (especially in the period of seasonal vitamin deficiency).
  • Monitor your medication intake.
  • Live an active lifestyle, exercise.

Vaccination is part of HPV prevention in women. Inpatient vaccination can only protect against 4 types of papillomavirus - 16 and 18, 6 and 11.