Papillomavirus is a group of viruses in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is only transmitted from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) faces many people and doctors. The virus can stimulate tumor processes, it is found on the skin, in the esophagus, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, the conjunctiva and even in the rectum.
Causes and routes of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- from scratches or cuts while visiting the pool, bathhouse, public restroom, or gym;
- when shaving or epilating.
Statistics say that even with a partner, women get infected 20% of the time.
About 70% of the population are sick and carriers of HPV. The virus is particularly actively transmitted by patients who have warts on their body (this virus causes them), in the form of pointed or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of newborns by the mother during childbirth. In babies, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or on the genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At this point there are no visible signs of the virus.
The appearance of warts on the skin can be gradual and one at a time, but it is also possible that many condylomas or papillomas grow rapidly at once, similar to sea kale.
If the infection occurred sexually, human papillomavirus in women manifests itself:
- in the area of \u200b\u200bthe labia;
- Vagina;
- Cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are carried away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, rectum.
Males rarely get the disease, although they can be carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is found more often in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, urgently consult a doctor, since with some types of viruses neoplasms are reborn and cause cancer.
Classification and Types
About 600 types of the virus have been detected so far. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years after infection with normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans, causing both benign and oncological neoplasms.
In the 1980s, doctors established the link between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following virus types are classified according to the location of the skin lesions and the varieties:
- plantar;
- "butcher's warts";
- ordinary;
- Apartment.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, provoking changes in the surface of the membrane of the cervix and cause oncology;
- Papillomas that cause cancer of the genital organs and anus, both in women and men.
Other kinds:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory papillomas;
- Tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Sorts:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms and can grow on the knees in children. They look like rough growths in the form of cones.
- Plantar - interfere with walking, appear as shiny growths at first, then grow into a wart with a rim at the base. As they grow, they form a whole series of similar formations.
- Flat - the color is little different from the skin, but causes itching, redness and discomfort.
- threadlike. In medicine they are called acrochords. They are more common in people over the age of 50. At first they appear as yellowish bumps that grow and form outgrowths up to 6mm.
When warts appear in visible areas, a sick person can go to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect to visit the gynecologist.
virus diagnosis
If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae-like (warts) or uneven, bumpy warts, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts don't cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they're best removed to reduce the chance of infecting those around you.
Due to the possibility of carcinogenesis, such neoplasms are examined.
The doctor conducts an analysis for the human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucous membrane (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examination of the mucous membrane under high magnification) or skin. The sample is examined under the microscope for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
According to the results of a cytological examination, cervical swabs are divided into 5 classes:
- no changes;
- Changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are minor changes in cell structure, histology is required;
- Cells showing signs of malignant changes were found;
- There are many cells showing signs of cancer.
Histological examination gives a more detailed picture of changes in the structure of tissues.
Clinics use special HPV tests that give you more accurate analysis results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of malignant processes in the tissues.
HPV carries a high oncogenic risk. A high cancer risk is caused by the human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of the examined cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV treatment methods
How to treat human papillomavirus? In connection with the decrease in immunity caused by the disease, doctors first prescribe drugs that increase it:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
However, the main means of treatment is the obligatory removal of neoplasms using the methods of modern cosmetology:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("burning" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- Introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into growths.
In each case of the disease, the types of treatment should be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, no pathological processes are found in the skin, then only papillomas with a small area of \u200b\u200bthe skin are removed. If malignant cells are discovered, the surgery can cover a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped to fight diseases. The experience in the treatment of HPV is also very extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can smear warts:
- celandine juice;
- Juice of sour apples and their pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- Ammonia.
Proven Recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze and apply pieces of ice 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
- kerosene and walnuts. Grind unripe nuts in a meat grinder, and then mix: for 1 part nuts - 2 parts kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply to the warts 2 times a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herb Collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- Wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), buckhorn.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not get onto healthy skin. After the procedure, the growths disappear in about a week, leaving no traces.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. Only lasts 3 hours. However, there may be some uncomfortable or painful sensations when tearing it off.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and lubricate papillomas with this composition.
infection prevention
However, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. If papillomas are removed from the surface of the skin, then it is not possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, to prevent the degeneration of neoplasms into cancer, you should consult a specialist. It's not yet possible to completely cure HPV, but there are steps you can take to avoid becoming infected.
For prevention you need:
- Use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not completely protect against HPV infection because it does not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but it still partially helps prevent the spread of the infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus. Girls 11-12 years old are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.
Have you spotted a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all the recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Find out about treatment and removal methods and act!