Human papillomavirus - symptoms, types, features, treatment

It is important to know that this infection is widespread. According to the World Health Organization, more than 60% of the adult population of the planet are carriers of the disease or are already suffering from the consequences of infection.

Causes and methods of transmission of the virus

The human papillomavirus is transmitted from one living being to another. The causative agent of the disease most often lives in the upper layers of the skin, so you can get infected even with a handshake.

HPV transmission routes:

• Sexual intercourse. Intimate contact with a carrier of pathogenic organisms will most likely end in infection. Moreover, it does not matter whether it is vaginal, oral or anal sex.
• Everyday route. The human papilloma virus can exist outside the carrier for a short time, so there is a chance of catching the disease in a swimming pool, public shower, toilet (although the risk of such transmission is minimal).
• Infection of a child from a mother. Similar cases have also been recorded. Fortunately, the virus usually dies under the influence of immunity, but under certain conditions, respiratory papillomatosis may develop.

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of self-infection. Pointed condylomas can appear after shaving or epilation.

Types of HPV

The human papilloma virus does not always harm the body. Today, more than 100 different types of HPV are known and only 40 of them have a pathological effect on health. Such pathogens are called oncogenic.

Microorganisms that provoke the development of malignant cells can be divided into three subtypes:

1. Relatively safe (with a low probability of tissue degeneration).
2. With a low level of oncogenic risk (manifest themselves under certain negative external factors).
3. With a high probability of complications (can provoke cervical cancer).

Usually the human body copes with the virus in 6-12 months. However, in case of weakened immunity, concomitant diseases, strong emotional experiences, the pathogen of the pathological condition activates the processes of degeneration, and the disease passes into the stage of clinical manifestations.

Symptoms

My colleagues and I at NIARMEDIK on Botkinsky have noticed that most often the human papilloma virus manifests itself in the form of anogenital warts. Such growths appear on the mucous membrane of the labia, the head of the penis and in the vestibule of the vagina. It is quite difficult not to notice such manifestations of the disease.

HPV can also be suspected when:

• papillomas (a growth on the skin, attached to a long stalk);
• warts (round hard neoplasms from 2 to 10 mm in size);
• pointed condylomas (bumps with a rough surface that appear near the anus or on the external genitalia).

A virus that lives in the body without showing itself is especially dangerous. According to scientific research, only 2-3% of carriers of the pathogen notice negative manifestations. In other cases, a person does not know that he is a carrier of the disease.

Course of the disease

After infection of the body, the human papillomavirus develops according to a certain pattern. The rate of reproduction of harmful agents largely depends on the state of the immune system and the patient's lifestyle.

• Latent course. At the first stage, HPV does not cause dangerous changes in the body. Moreover, it is not determined by standard types of diagnostics. Only PCR analysis can confirm fears.
• First manifestations of the disease. This period is accompanied by the appearance of growths on the skin, mucous membrane, due to accelerated division of epidermal cells.
• Dysplasia. The virus begins to negatively affect cells. When DNA is mixed, integration and changes in tissue structure occur.
• Carcinoma. The course of the disease leads to dangerous mutation of cells and the emergence of malignant neoplasms (development of invasive cancer).

It is important to take into account that the rate of HPV spread is much higher in people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases.

Features in men and women

The human papillomavirus affects the organisms of the representatives of the strong and weak halves of humanity differently. The reproduction of pathogenic organisms in women is much faster. This is due to the peculiarity of the structure of the genitals. The greatest danger is the ability of HPV to change the cells of the mucous membrane (dysplasia, aplasia).

In men, infection often occurs latent. Under certain conditions, pointed genital papillomas arise, threatening the mutation of cells into cancer of the intracellular neoplasm of the penis or anus. Most often, accelerated reproduction of pathogens of the pathological condition occurs against the background of mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis.

Diagnostic methods

HPV can provoke severe complications, so it is very important to promptly identify pathogens and begin therapeutic actions. In modern medicine, special tests have been developed to determine the concentration of pathogens in tissues.

Most often, a laboratory analysis is used, carried out by studying the polymerase chain reaction. It allows you to accurately assess the degree of risk and isolate the DNA of the virus. For testing, a scraping is taken from the cervix or urethra. To confirm the diagnosis, tissue histology, colposcopy, and a smear for cytology are prescribed. To obtain accurate results, it is advisable to take a test for 10-15 strains of the virus.

Preventive diagnostics are indicated for people who are sexually active with frequent changes of partners, and for couples planning a pregnancy. Also, laboratory and hardware examinations are recommended for women with detected changes in the cervix.

Methods for treating HPV

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to completely defeat the human papillomavirus. There is no specific therapy that allows you to get rid of the causative agents of the disease. With good immunity, the body copes with the disease on its own in a period of six months to three years. The positive aspect is that self-healing produces lifelong protection against this type of infection.

Despite the development of pharmacology, effective drugs that help suppress the source of infection with the papillomavirus have not been invented. Therapy of the disease is reduced to three main directions:

1. Destruction of foci of infection (usually by surgery).
2. Drug stimulation of the body's defenses.
3. General health promotion.

After a comprehensive diagnosis, chemical, cytotoxic drugs and physical destruction are prescribed. Surgical treatment is performed using electrocoagulation, cryotherapy, diathermocoagulation.

Prevention

The human papillomavirus usually affects weak organisms, so the best way to prevent infection is a healthy lifestyle and the use of contraception. It would be a good idea to give up bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse) and choose a regular sexual partner. To strengthen the immune system, you should do hardening, balance your daily diet.

There is also a method of specific prevention. Having undergone preliminary vaccination, you can reduce the risk of infection. Currently, the most popular vaccine is "Gardasil". This injection is given to girls starting at the age of nine. However, such preliminary treatment does not give any results in adults.