Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to an infection of viral origin.Papilloma virus occurs in most people, regardless of gender.But in many cases, this virus does not show characteristic symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of infection.
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 persons.This virus arises as a result of the human papilloma virus, which consists of different types, entering the body as the causative agent of chronic infection.However, some of these viruses do not cause harm.But there is another category of viruses, due to which new growths appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.There are also the most dangerous types that not only affect the genital area, but also cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not have an immediate negative effect, because it needs to go through a certain process through which it can gradually disrupt the functioning of the body.
First, it must penetrate the cell and then attach itself securely 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 quite capable of destroying it by itself.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 against viruses, destroying the pathogenic factor before it can harm health.But because defenses weaken with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and penile and larynx cancer in men.
Why does infection occur?
This infection is often transmitted sexually, even if contraception is used.There are other situations when you can easily become infected with HPV, namely:
- infection through scratches or scrapes;
- coming into contact with infected skin;
- Hygienic wearables;
- surgical instruments.
If a woman is sick with this virus and is pregnant, she can infect her child.
You should be especially careful when using someone else's razor or towel, because the virus can remain on the personal belongings of people who are infected.There are cases when infection occurs through contact with affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during a massage.Medical personnel are also at high risk of infection from inhaling dust during laser genital wart removal.
However, without certain conditions, it is difficult for the virus to show its activity.Factors that contribute to the development of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sex life;
- hormonal imbalances;
- 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 a 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 occurs 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 an infection with the human papillomavirus in his body, because it develops without external manifestations.Thus, the patient will continue to unknowingly infect other people.However, HPV does not live long in the external environment, because it has low resistance to its aggressive factors.This is why a healthy person quickly becomes infected.
When the virus reaches the surface of the skin, the basal 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, which will result in the appearance of symptoms.
Main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, which are formations that appear in different places of high humidity.The papilloma virus 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 rarely develop.But the exception is cervical cancer and penile cancer, because this stage of the disease is often observed.However, there is no need to panic, because in the early stages, cancer is easily treated.
An indirect symptom is detected if the mucous membrane or skin is covered with only individual warts.
What does a papilloma look like?
The human papilloma virus manifests itself as neoplasms that are similar to ordinary warts, but unlike them, they are softer.Warts caused by the papillomavirus look like small nodules.Papillomas in the form of warts can be seen on the hands.HPV is also usually localized on the face or leg.Often such warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can be in the form of condyloma, which, unlike warts, grows in the genital area.If such tumors are not treated, they can actively progress.
Moreover, their presence significantly interferes with sexual activity, and painful sensations may occur during urination.Condylomas are easily damaged, can bleed constantly, 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 because it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous conditions can be successfully treated.
The incubation period for HPV lasts about a month.However, the virus can simply remain in the body without causing anything.
Getting 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 papilloma virus to manifest itself, because it is individual and depends on the characteristics of the organism.
For HPV infection, the incubation period is 3 weeks.The period can be extended up to 9-12 months.
The average is 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 transmission.In this case, the virus particle has taken root 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 should no longer reproduce will divide.But there may still be certain mechanisms that will curb the impact of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that HPV aggressively affects them.This causes the nuclei of infected cells to take on an irregular shape and change color.This process is considered a precancerous condition.
If the epithelial cells divide actively and uncontrollably under the influence of the virus, this leads to genetic problems and mutations.In addition, tissues have the ability to degenerate into cancer.The transition to the malignant oncological phase depends on the state of female sex hormones.
HPV is classified according to the oncogenic type:
- papillomaviruses that do not cause cancer;
- viruses that have a low risk of cancer;
- infections with an average percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomavirus that cause cancer.
Virus diagnosis
As soon as there is a suspicion of infection, it is better to consult a doctor immediately, because papilloma is a serious source of the virus.Because if the integrity of the virus is compromised, the virus can be released into the environment, you can easily infect other people even without sexual contact.In order to detect the presence of the virus in the body, special diagnostics are carried out.It is recommended to be carried out when various STIs and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is first diagnosed by clinical examination.In order to find out in detail the type of virus and the stage, examinations 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 examination reveals a large number of HPV, in this case the infection has become malignant.Therefore, it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis in order to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If studies have shown reference values, this is the norm, that is, there is no papilloma virus in the body.As a diagnosis, women undergo a colposcopy, and men need 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 deeper layers, so many people wonder if HPV infection can go away 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 some time, the virus can be removed from the old cells by itself.According to statistics, there have been cases of HPV disappearing on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, treatment of the disease is not necessary, i.e. 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 papilloma virus in the body.You should see a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, it may be necessary to consult with other specialized experts, depending on the location of the formation.
Treatment options
To remove the human papillomavirus 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 fat, vaginal suppositories.It depends on the progression of the disease and the area where the papilloma appears.
Papilloma virus in an adult is usually found in immunodeficiency, because it is difficult for the body to deal with harmful organisms on its own.To fight against such infections, it is necessary to take special drugs that contain substances to strengthen 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 virus progression.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 treatment method that can prevent the further development of the papilloma virus.
Warts can be easily removed with 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 may 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, because 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 combustion.
Warts must not be picked or cut off.Indeed, numerous neoplasms can arise due to this.It is better to remove papillomas from a specialist who will carry out the procedure taking into account the condition of the papilloma virus.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented with a vaccine.Immunization is recommended for adolescent girls before first sexual intercourse.In this way, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of infection, without giving the virus a favorable ground for development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenerologist who deals with sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be destroyed, recurrences may occur in which the papilloma appears in the same place or on another part of the skin.
Preventive measures
In order to avoid the development of human papillomavirus, it is important to find out what the infection can cause.Given that a strong immune system destroys viral particles, the prevention of papillomavirus begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, in this way, the defense can effectively fight against any HPV virus, preventing it from spreading and causing disease.To do this, it is important to switch to a proper diet so that the body regularly receives the necessary portion of vitamins and minerals.
Comprehensive prevention helps maintain the immune system in a normal state.After all, in order not to get sick from the papilloma virus, the body must effectively fight against it.To do this, it is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle and give up bad habits.It is important to properly organize your work and rest schedule, 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 sexual intercourse and use only barrier methods of contraception.
For a timely diagnosis of papillomavirus, women must regularly visit a gynecologist, and men a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, each patient can completely get rid of or prevent the onset of infection and other negative consequences of this viral disease.