Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to an infection of viral origin.Papillomavirus occurs in most people, regardless of gender.But in many cases, this virus does not show characteristic symptoms by which the presence of infection can be determined.
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 by contact with infected people.This virus appears as a result of the entry into the body of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of different types.However, some of these viruses do not cause harm.But there is another category of viruses, due to which neoplasms appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membrane.There are also the most dangerous types, which not only affect the genital area, but also cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not immediately have a negative effect, as it must go through a certain process by which it gradually disrupts the functioning of the body.
It must first penetrate the cell and then firmly attach to it.When the protective functions of the body are reduced, the infection can cause clinical manifestations.But despite the capabilities of the virus, the body is fully capable of destroying it on its own.The virus can 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 causes harm to health.But because protection weakens with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and penile and larynx cancer in men.
Why does infection occur?
This infection is often sexually transmitted, even if contraception is used.There are other situations where you can easily become infected with HPV, these include:
- infection through scratches or abrasions;
- coming into contact with infected skin;
- consumer hygiene items;
- surgical instruments.
If a woman has 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 belongings of people who have the infection.There are cases when the infection occurs through contact with the affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during a massage.Medical personnel are also at high risk of infection from dust inhalation during laser removal of genital warts.
However, without certain conditions, it is difficult for the virus to manifest its activity.Factors that contribute to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- 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 the cell and then attach to the nucleus.After all these actions, the affected cell will receive a signal from the viral particles to synthesize proteins.
Since 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 proceeds without obvious symptoms, which is the main reason for the active spread of various diseases.If the patient does not undergo an examination, he will not know that there is a human papillomavirus infection in his body, since it develops without external manifestation.Thus, 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 quickly becomes infected.
When the virus reaches the surface of the skin, the base layer of the epidermis is affected.However, it can remain latent for a long time without causing symptoms of infection.
As soon as favorable conditions appear, the virus will begin to negatively affect the cells, leading to the appearance of symptoms.
The main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, namely by formations that appear in various places with high humidity.Papillomavirus is usually localized in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.It is especially often manifested in the oral cavity, conjunctivitis, larynx, bronchi, rectum and genitals.
Indirect signs of HPV appear in the form of a precancerous condition.Oncological diseases develop rarely.But the exception is cervical cancer and penile cancer, as this stage of the disease is often observed.However, you should not panic as early stage cancer is easily treatable.
An indirect symptom is detected if the mucous membrane or skin is covered with only single warts.
What does a papilloma look like?
The human papillomavirus manifests itself as neoplasms that are similar to ordinary warts, but in contrast, they are softer.Warts caused by papilloma virus look like small nodules.Papilloma in the form of warts can be seen on the hands.HPV is also usually found on the face or legs.Often such warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can be in the form of condylomas, which, unlike warts, grow in the genital area.If such tumors are not treated, they can actively progress.
In addition, their presence significantly interferes with sexual activity and there may be painful sensations during urination.Condylomas are easily damaged, they 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 stages of development:
- HPV infection in the body;
- precancer;
- Cancer.
The last stage should be avoided as it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous conditions can be successfully treated.
The incubation period of HPV takes 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 it takes for the human papillomavirus to manifest itself, as it is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body.
The incubation period for HPV infection is 3 weeks.The period can last up to 9-12 months.
Average 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 several years, it means that it has become a chronic form of carriage.In this case, the viral particle has taken root well in the cell, which is why active destructive actions can begin at any moment.In this case, the virus will begin to actively produce proteins, which will disrupt all phases of the cell cycle.As a result, even old cells that no longer need to reproduce will divide.But there may still be certain mechanisms that will limit the impact of virus particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that HPV affects them aggressively.This causes the nuclei of the infected cells to become misshapen and change color.This process is considered a precancerous condition.
If epithelial cells actively and uncontrollably divide under the influence of a virus, this leads to genetic problems and mutations.In addition, the tissues have the ability to degenerate into cancer.The transition to a 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 an average rate of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomaviruses that cause cancer.
Virus diagnosis
As soon as there is a suspicion of infection, it is better to immediately consult a doctor, since papilloma is a serious source of viruses.Since, if the integrity of the virus is broken, the virus can be released into the environment, you can easily infect other people even without sexual contact.In order to establish the presence of the virus in the body, special diagnostics are carried out.It is recommended to be performed when various STIs and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is diagnosed first by clinical examination.In order to understand in detail the type of virus and the stage, studies are carried out in the form of extended colposcopy, cytological and histological studies of 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 large number of HPV, in this case the infection has become malignant.Therefore, it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If research has shown reference values, this is the norm, i.e.there is no papillomavirus in the body.As a diagnosis, women undergo a 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, it lives only on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane and does not penetrate into the deeper layers, so many wonder if the HPV infection can disappear on its own.The virus can actually disappear without external influence.After all, human skin and mucous membranes are constantly changing.Since the surface layer of the skin is renewed after a while, the virus can be removed from the old cells by itself.According to statistics, there have been cases where HPV disappears on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, treatment of the disease is not required, namely, if there are no characteristic warts and precancerous signs.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 there is a suspicion of the presence of human papillomavirus in the body.You should see a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, consultation with other specialized specialists may be necessary, depending on the location of the entity.
Treatment options
To remove the human papilloma virus from the body, it is necessary to undergo complex therapy:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- if necessary, removal of papillomas.
Medicines that strengthen and stimulate the immune system are prescribed as therapy.They contain vitamins B6, C, E and adaptogens.Medicines can be in the form of tablets, injections, tampons with ointment, vaginal suppositories.This depends on the progression of the disease and the area of origin of the papilloma.
Papillomavirus in an adult is usually detected in immunodeficiency, since the body can hardly cope with harmful organisms on its own.To fight such infections, it is necessary to take special drugs that contain substances to increase 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 there is a high risk of progression of the virus.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 chooses an appropriate method of treatment that can prevent the further development of the papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed through medical procedures.But the papilloma can disappear on its own.If there are a large number of papillomas and warts in one place, only a few 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.Therapy should not be delayed if it is a cosmetic problem, as papillomas can appear on the face, especially on the nose, eyelids and lips.
You can remove the affected tissue:
- surgical intervention;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser method;
- cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen;
- chemical burn.
Warts should not be broken or cut off.In fact, many neoplasms can arise because of this.It is better to remove the papilloma by a specialist who will perform the procedure, taking into account the state of the papillomavirus.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented with a vaccine.Immunization is recommended for adolescent girls before their first sexual contact.Thus, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of the infection without giving the virus a favorable ground for development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenerologist who treats sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be eradicated, recurrences may occur, in which the papilloma appears in the same place or in a different area of the skin.
Preventive measures
To avoid the development of human papilloma virus, it is important to understand what can cause the infection.Since virus particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, prevention of papillomavirus begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, in this way, protection 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 to maintain the immune system in a normal state.After all, in order not to get sick with the papilloma virus, the body must effectively fight it.To do this, it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits.It is important to properly organize your schedule for work and rest, as well as to engage in moderate physical activity.After all, excessive work 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 methods of contraception.
For timely diagnosis of papillomavirus, women should regularly visit a gynecologist, and men - a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, each patient can completely get rid of or prevent the occurrence of infection and other negative consequences of this viral disease.