Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV-human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes more than 100 types of viruses, 80 of which are pathogenic to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population are carriers of HPV. In most cases, infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and can be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
Symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can be: different types of warts, flat and genital warts, dysplasia of the cervix. However, the most dangerous manifestation of the pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also evidence linking the development of cancers of the anus, external genital organs, and vagina to infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV type 16, 18, 45, 56).
Transmission paths:
- Sexual contact.Is the main route of transmission for human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during intercourse significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, but does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur because the virus particles are very small.
- Contact household path.The causes of infection are the use of joint hygiene products: towels, soap, use of a public toilet, bathroom.
- Natural birth.HPV can be transmitted to children who become infected when a child passes through an infected woman's birth canal.
The source of this infection are cells of the patient's skin and mucous membranes. In this case, a person cannot know himself or herself that he has become a carrier of the virus, since warts and papillomas can be microscopic and remain invisible during visual examination.
Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of a viral infection:
- the beginning of sexual activity at an early age;
- promiscuous sex without a condom;
- frequent abortions;
- the presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
- Long-term use of oral contraceptive methods;
- decreased immune response of the body;
- non-observance of the hygiene rules;
- if the sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to frequent stressful situations;
- bad habits.
The virus enters the base layer of the epithelium through pores, cracks, and microtraumas in the skin and mucous membranes, which ensures normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the basal layer cells contains information about the healthy structure of the cells. A virus particle built into DNA alters this information and leads to the formation of affected cells that cause symptoms of the disease as they grow and divide.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One of the possible manifestations of infection with the human papillomavirus is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. They are specific formations that have the appearance of a cauliflower, a bunch of grapes or a rooster comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially during anal intercourse.
Papillomas can appear on the skin around fingers, toes, hands, eyes, armpits, and scalp. They sometimes also form on the soles of the feet and cause characteristic pain when walking.
This type of disease rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor and cancer. However, to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are surgically removed.
Consequences of an HPV infection
Human papillomavirus in women can lead to significant growth of genital warts, papillomas, and flat warts, resulting in a feeling of discomfort and pain. When injured, bleeding of varying degrees can occur.
HPVs of the eighteenth and sixteenth types are the most dangerous because they lead to the development of cancer. Cervical cancer, which has been reliably linked to human papillomavirus infection, ranks second among various malignancies in women. The death rate from it reaches fifty percent.
Flat warts
The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that practically do not protrude above the skin level.
The lining of the vagina and cervix is most commonly affected.
The cosmetic defect is much smaller in them than in genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of degenerating into cancer.
Dysplasia of the cervical mucosa
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the lining of the cervix called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive treatment.
The disease is in most cases asymptomatic and is diagnosed during a routine examination by a gynecologist. A distinction is made between dysplasia with several degrees of severity: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity.
cervical cancer
This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer is the second most common tumor disease in women and is associated with infection with HPV types 16, 18.
The disease can progress without clinical signs or manifest itself in non-specific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, the appearance of bleeding from the vagina outside of the menstrual cycle.
Methods of treating diseases
If there are signs of HPV infection, given the risk of consequences, do not self-medicate.
To choose the optimal tactic of treatment, you need to consult a gynecologist, who, after a thorough examination and conducting the necessary tests, will prescribe appropriate therapy.
Until now, no drugs have been invented that would cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the levels of the virus in the body to prevent the disease from getting worse.
Main therapy areas:
- treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia);
- antiviral therapy;
- the use of means to increase immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts and areas with dysplasia, even small in size, it is recommended to remove them, since the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of virus particles in a woman's body, which contributes to the further progression of the pathology.
Surgical treatment
The methods for removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:
- surgical;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method consists in removing the lesions with a scalpel. It is the cheapest method of treatment. After that, however, a pronounced cosmetic defect remains and the healing time is significantly extended. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of intervention is used in extreme cases.
During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, which freezes the pathological formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small wound forms underneath that heals in 10-14 days.
Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to areas of the affected skin. This procedure is very painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough scars instead of pathological formations.
During laser coagulation, the impact of laser beams on the affected area leads to the drying out of neoplasms. In their place, a dry crust forms, which after a while disappears without leaving any scars. This type of treatment is the gentlest, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to high frequency waves. With this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, no pronounced scars, but the disadvantage is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. A special drug is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area, which disappears after a few days.
drug use
Drug therapy for infections with human papillomavirus includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
To reduce the concentration of the virus in a woman's body and prevent its further reproduction, long antiviral therapy is prescribed. The drugs are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of the course of treatment should be determined only by the attending physician.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and evidence of decreased immunity levels to strengthen the body's defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells and stimulate the production of antibodies to fight the virus.
Treatment of HPV infection in pregnant women
The presence of human papillomavirus infection in a woman's body does not affect the reproductive system and is not a contraindication to pregnancy. If HPV worsening occurs during pregnancy, therapy for the condition will not be given during that time. Treatment is prescribed after childbirth.
However, a woman must be monitored by a doctor throughout her pregnancy. With the development of severe ailments, gentle methods of therapy are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications to vaginal delivery due to the progression of HPV, a caesarean section is performed.
Get rid of HPV with folk remedies
At home, you can use folk remedies, such as herbal cookings and infusions - for the treatment of papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of the resulting warts, papillomas and warts.
Possibilities for making decoctions and infusions to treat the infection with human papillomavirus:
- Horsetail, nettle, rose hips, dandelion roots and plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. At 3 st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, cook on low heat for 10 minutes, then let steep for 3 hours. Apply 1 glass three times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Oregano herb, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettles, calendula, coltsfoot, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, cord, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sage are mixed in equal quantities. Pour 2 tbsp in a thermos. l. The resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to steep overnight. Take 0. 5 cups 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm, oregano, linden blossom, hop cones and feverfew are mixed in equal quantities. Pour 1 tbsp in a thermos. l. Pour the resulting mixture into 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml twice a day.
The following applies to the treatment of local manifestations:
- Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or bought at a pharmacy. Before applying the product, it is necessary to steam the skin of the affected area, and healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with a fatty cream. Celandine must be carefully applied to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the pathological formation disappears.
- garlic. The vegetables should be rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture to formation areas every day for 2-3 hours for a month. Wash the skin with soapy water after the procedure.
- Young walnuts. They need to be minced with a meat grinder. Pour the resulting mixture into a 0. 5 liter glass to fill 2/3 full and pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Let it steep for 20 days, then pass through the cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After therapy and the elimination of the external manifestations of HPV, a woman needs to see a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.