The human papilloma virus (HPV) provokes the formation of papillomas, warts, condylomas and is a triggering factor in the development of cervical and larynx cancer. Less commonly, it can affect the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased tenfold over the past 10 years. In our country, according to studies in the regions, the prevalence of HPV infection varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly cautious because about a third of all isolated viral genotypes provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Entering a woman's body, HPV can show different activities depending on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. The virus persists in the body, but does not cause pathological changes in the cells. There are no symptoms - the presence of a microorganism can only be determined using molecular biological examination methods.
- HPV-associated inflammation As a rule, against the background of HPV, one speaks of cervicitis or vulvovaginitis, which leads the patient to the gynecologist. In consultation, she can find out: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus itself does not cause inflammation, but creates conditions for the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma, located in the anogenital area and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract, is a form of the course of PVI (papillomavirus infection), which requires the use of modern surgical techniques to remove formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapse.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, a correct understanding of the treatment of HPV in women is more important than ever.
The classification will help the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. The pathogen strains are also divided into groups according to their ability to trigger oncological diseases: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Of the 40 sexually transmitted variants of the virus, 14 are classified as high and intermediate cancer risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted?
In the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. When a person has a healthy immune system, in most cases HPV infection is transient—it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, then the question of treating human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexually;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- Household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people between the ages of 13 and 30 are most susceptible to contracting the virus. During the first sexual contact, the risk of infection is around 60%. The virus can also enter the body without direct sexual intercourse. Girls are most at risk from HPV and then its consequences. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genital organs.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
In the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. When a person has a healthy immune system, in most cases HPV infection is transient—it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, then the question of treating human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiencies and beriberi;
- common acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortions;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and mental stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- Long-term use of immunosuppressants and oral contraceptives.
Frequent change of sexual partners also increases the risk of both infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. When immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cellular genome, resulting in a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has yet to be discovered. That is why it is so important to keep the activity of the virus under control and to properly stimulate the immune system.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and the skin of the anogenital region. They do not cause pain and usually go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, because of which a woman immediately contacts a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent recurrences of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul smelling vaginal discharge.
On examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can only occur in the later stages of chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches are used to treat human papillomavirus infection. HPV infection therapy is currently reduced to the following activities:
- preventing progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- Stimulating systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no drugs that lead to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - the focus of doctors is the need for a combined treatment of various manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the viral code to self-destruct rather than spread. Reducing virus copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on the subject of "treatment of HPV in women" is currently described in detail in the current clinical guidelines.
When is a doctor's visit necessary?
Women should have a check-up with their gynecologist at least once a year. In addition, there is a need to consult a doctor if bothersome symptoms appear:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts on other parts of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual discharge or bad smell from the vagina;
- Itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where accidental sexual intercourse occurred, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist. He does an exam, taking a pelvic swab and scraping to detect HPV.
If papillomas appear on other parts of the body, consultation with a dermatovenerologist is necessary. If papillomas or condylomas grow in the anus, the intervention of a proctologist may be required. This will help determine the tactics of treatment and determine which remedies for papilloma should be prescribed to the patient for purchase in a pharmacy in a particular case.
General scheme of therapy
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is the stable immunity of the person himself. The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention points out that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, there are no clinical manifestations due to the self-suppression of the virus by natural immunitydevelop.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- Therapy of concomitant diseases;
- Elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medical and, if necessary, surgical;
- reduction in viral load;
- Stimulating the body's defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and comorbidities decrease the ability of a woman's immune system to deal with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, with a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, support the body's strength and lead to a reduction in viral load. One of these modern drugs is a spray containing activated glycyrrhizic acid, which is extracted from licorice root. It helps stop the virus from replicating early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle for delivering the drug to the cervix and its even distribution along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus provokes changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray will help:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restoring the integrity of the mucosa;
- Increase in local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the preparatory phase for removing benign formations caused by HPV in order to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent recurrence. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent attachment of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are removed, which can be done using the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to the neoplasm with cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high-frequency current;
- Laser removal - subjected to laser irradiation layer by layer until a scab appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to warts, destroying them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of destruction, it is prescribed selectively - when other methods cannot be used.
New developments in the treatment of HPV include the CRISPR/Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts the DNA and embeds its sections, thus inactivating the further spread of the virus.
prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraceptives (condoms) is recommended, which, while not providing absolute protection against HPV, reduce exposure to the virus. You should be selective in choosing your sexual partners. If an accidental connection has occurred, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, the HPV vaccine is the most effective. It protects against the most common and most malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the compulsory vaccination calendar. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. It used to be believed that vaccination made no sense after 20 years. However, recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is adequate and effective up to the age of 45-47.
If a viral infection does occur, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the health of the patient, especially the good condition of his immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-associated diseases in the early stages.