At the beginning of the last century, the human papillomavirus was reported to be the cause of warts. But it was later shown to cause the development of genital cancer in both sexes and carcinoma of the neck and rectum. Depending on the range of clinical manifestations, doctors were able to isolate different types of HPV and combine them into a specific system.
Everything you need to know about the human papillomavirus
More and more people are wondering: HPV infection - what is it? This abbreviation refers to a group of viruses that are widespread and heterogeneous in the structure of their DNA, capable of infecting the skin and mucous membranes. Infection with this substance has been going on for a long time. Thus, warts have been known since the time of the Greeks and Romans, and the warts of the anogenital area even earlier. The PCR method even managed to isolate HPV type 18 DNA from the mummy of Mary of Aragon (16th century). Only at the beginning of the XXI century was it possible to influence the spread of a factor that causes diseases.
Classification principles
There are many opinions about the number of HPV types. It is officially proven that the team includes more than 170 executives. They consist of 5 genera, with about 130 factors described and studied in detail. But scientists already know about 600 types found in humans.
HPV as a species was first recorded in 1971. To date, knowledge about it has been greatly enriched, which has served as a impetus to create a classification that reflects not only the species, butand the genus to which the strain belongs. In practice, this is extremely important, as it helps to determine the clinical manifestations and the form of the course of the infection.
Virus types are detected according to the following criteria:
- transmission method?
- targets (skin or mucous membranes);
- diseases that develop as a result of infection.
- degree of oncogenicity.
Classification according to the degree of carcinogenesis is necessary in order to avoid the consequences associated with the development of oncological processes.
Types of HPV:
- low risk - strains 6, 12, 14, 42-44;
- medium risk - types 31, 35, 51;
- high risk - 16, 18, 45, 56, 58, 59.
This classification allows you to visually assess the degree of risk and develop an appropriate treatment strategy.
The most dangerous strains
HPV has been shown to be able to cause skin overgrowth and lead to the formation of benign formations on the face, neck, back, abdomen, each of which resembles a wart, papilloma, appendicitis. But the extremely oncogenic pathogen in the vast majority of cases causes the development of oncology in both men and women. The virus is mainly transmitted through sexual contact and barrier contraceptives are not able to provide 100% protection against penetration.
The following strains are considered the most dangerous:
- Warts (appearance of sharp growths) - 6, 42.
- Small flat formations that form on the walls of the vagina and cervix - 30, 33, 42, 43, 55, 57, 64, 67. Cervical carcinoma - 31, 35, 39, 54, 66. HPV types 16 and 18 are considered the most dangerous.
It's important to know!Even after detecting the type of virus, you should not panic, as the most malicious strains can be in a state of "inactivity" for a long time. Therefore, it can take decades from infection to the formation of cervical cancer.
Penetration of the virus into the body
The papillomavirus is considered highly contagious, with each type being able to be transmitted by a specific method.The main options for the penetration of the pathogen into the body of the "victim" are:
- Sexual contact with a carrier of the virus. The most common method of infection. The risk is represented by both traditional and other types of sexual intercourse. Because the pathogen is much smaller than the pore diameter of the condom, the contraceptive cannot provide 100% protection.
- Vertical type of infection involves the transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth. A non-cellular factor can cause laryngeal papilloma in a newborn, i. e. the formation of growths in the mucous membranes of the larynx and mouth, less often in the genitals.
- Contact and transmission of infections from households is also considered common. Some strains are notable for their vitality, so they can maintain their activity in a moist environment. When you visit saunas, swimming pools, baths, when you share personal hygiene items, the risk of infection increases, especially if there are invisible minor injuries to the skin. Automatic vaccination or infection can occur when a live virus cell is accidentally transported from a damaged area to healthy parts of the skin during shaving, waxing, and simply not following hygiene rules.
It's important to know!The causative agent of high carcinogenic risk is transmitted mainly through sexual contact and barrier contraceptives do not guarantee complete protection against infections. This is due not only to the small size of the virus, but also to its location on the surface of the skin, which is not covered with a condom.
Causes of papillomavirus progression
Regardless of the degree of oncogenicity, HPV is characterized by fraud, ie it is able to live in the human body without appearing in any way. Depending on the state of the immune system, the incubation period can last from 2-3 weeks to several decades. Therefore, people who do not have external signs do not even know the presence of an infectious agent in their body.
Rapid reproduction also does not start immediately, but only under favorable conditions, ie the weakening of the defense mechanism, which occurs in the context of the following factors:
- stress, overwork?
- poor and monotonous food?
- hormonal imbalance?
- bad habits - smoking and alcohol abuse.
- frequent miscarriages, postpartum complications.
- inflammatory and infectious diseases of the urinary system? STDs, including AIDS, HIV, herpes.
- chronic diseases in the acute stage.
- period of pregnancy.
The risk group consists mainly of the fairer sex. The chance of infection increases in people of reproductive age 20-45 years, who are sexually active.
Symptoms at different stages
Human papillomavirus infection can be severe or latent or subclinical. The symptomatic manifestations of the disease are varied, due to the type of HPV, the risk. The latent course of the disease is characterized by the absence of signs.
External signs:
- nipples?
- flat and vulgar warts.
- genital warts.
Forms are not visible on external examination:
- dyskeratosis?
- colocytosis?
- epithelial dysplasia.
Recurrences of papillomavirus occur in the form of the following pathologies:
- dyskeratosis with mild epithelial changes.
- dysplasia itself?
- cancerous tumor? Squamous cell carcinoma.
It's important to know!In case of non-oncogenic virus, it is possible to form warts located on the palms, soles of the feet. If there is no aesthetic discomfort, there is no indication for removal.
During an exacerbation, a woman experiences fever, chills, itching, fever, vaginal discharge.
More about the consequences
The type and severity of HPV infection is determined by the activity of the pathogen and its type. When the genotype is affected by a high oncogenic risk, prolonged reproduction helps to increase the number of cellular structures by genome mutation.
In the context of bacterial vaginosis, the transformation of the cervix, as well as some other pathological processes that occur in the body, increases the risk of precancerous stage or the development of a malignant tumor.
The latter includes the following situations.
- Cervical cancer. The second disease after breast cancer in women. More than 70% of all cases are caused by the activity of HPV types 16 and 18.
- Vaginal and vulvar carcinoma. In the structure of oncopathologies of the regenerative area, it holds a leading position. Every tenth case is caused by a low oncogenic strain 6 or 11 and one third of all diseases are caused by a virus 16 and 18.
- Anal cancer. It is detected mainly in women, but is also recorded in gay men who engage in an unconventional method of sexual intercourse, although doctors do not rule out another route of transmission. The cause of oncology is the activity of HPV types 18 and 16.
Of course, this is not a verdict, but in relation to these data, the need for thorough gynecological and diagnostic cancer is increasing. A comprehensive examination allows early detection of structural changes in cells and tissues, which, in the case of human papillomavirus, help determine how to properly treat it.
Diagnostic procedures
As already mentioned, diagnostic measures play an important role in defeating the body with HPV infection.
The modern examination is carried out with great care and includes various procedures:
- The initial consultation includes a visual examination to identify external spots (warts, papillomas). If increases are found in the urogenital area, the doctor directs the patient for an additional examination of the cervix or ureteroscopy.
- PAP test or Pap Smear cytology. Based on the results, which are divided into classes, the doctor determines the risks of the infectious process. Thus, grades 1 and 2 indicate the normal state of the tissues, 3 - on the onset of pathological changes, grades 4 and 5 characterize the presence of oncogenic cells.
- Colonoscopy. It is performed in case of dysplastic changes in the tissues of the cervix. The acetic acid test is prescribed to clarify papillomavirus activity. A positive effect appears as a mosaic pattern on the surface of the epithelium.
- Histology. The study of a sample of infected tissue is performed if it is necessary to study the cells and the pathological changes that occur in them. During the procedure, you can locate particularly large epithelial structures.
- PCR. The most common and extremely informative test. With the help of the polymerase chain reaction, it is possible to perform typing, determine the degree of oncogenicity and the maximum concentration in the blood.
- Digene test. The modern innovative research method makes it possible to clarify the existing results and to determine the possibility of forming oncology education.
The same diagnostic tactics are used for men. After a visual examination, it is sent for examination. Only according to the results of the examination, the specialist can assess the complexity of the clinical case and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Treatment approaches
Today there are no drugs that could completely and permanently destroy a viral infection in the body. If self-medication has not occurred, then the most promising is a comprehensive combined approach. HPV treatment includes the surgical removal of papillomas or warts as part of systemic drug therapy, homeopathic remedies, and folk remedies. There are many options for destroying growth.
Radiosurgery. The formation is cut with a special knife, after which it is coagulated and a bandage is applied.
Laser. Bloody and painless way. A crust remains at the point of removal, below which the healing process takes place. The disadvantage is the appearance of scars.
Electrocoagulation. The process is largely similar to the previous two in terms of efficiency, cost and effective impact.
Cryodestruction. Treatment of any growth with liquid nitrogen. After freezing, they are discarded from the skin. The affordable price, the absence of blood, the scars make this method the most attractive.
Surgical resection. It occurs extremely rarely, only according to indications in case of suspicion of the possibility of developing oncology. The growths were cut with a scalpel.
Systematic treatment of papillomavirus helps to strengthen the immune system, reduce the concentration of DNA of the agent in the blood and prevent the development of malignant processes.
Prescribes pills for this purpose:
- immunomodulators?
- antiviral agents?
- cytostatics.
The duration of treatment is 10-14 days. If you have a regular sexual partner, you need to convince him to get tested and start treatment. You also do not have to get rid of the increases yourself.
Precautionary measures
Because the human papillomavirus spreads easily to people of all ages, there is no guaranteed way to protect against it. As evidenced by patient reviews, vaccination is a reliable option for preventing infection.
Modern medicine offers special serums as a preventive measure. The drugs are produced in the form of a suspension, in disposable syringes, which facilitates the administration of the vaccine and minimizes the risk of infection. Girls and boys aged 9-14 years, as well as young women up to 26 years are subject to vaccination. Serums are well tolerated by the body.
Vaccination is for prophylactic purposes and cannot be used as a medicine.To minimize the risk of infection, you should follow simple recommendations.
- watch your personal hygiene carefully.
- get rid of bad habits.
- boost immunity by playing sports.
- practice only protected sex, avoid casual relationships.
- carefully approach the choice of a sexual partner.
- for screening by a gynecologist, venereologist.
Taking your health seriously will help you avoid infection and if a virus enters, you will reduce the chance of it spreading.