Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that occurs due to an infection of viral origin.Papilloma viruses occur in most people, regardless of gender.However, in common cases, this virus does not show any characteristic symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of an infection.
What is an HPV infection?
Many people do not understand where this virus comes from and what it is.Human papillomavirus is a chronic viral disease.Transmission occurs easily through contact with infected people.This virus arises as a result of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of different types and enters the body.However, some of these viruses do not cause any harm.But there is another category of viruses that cause new growths to form on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.There are also the most dangerous species that not only affect the genital area, but also cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not have immediate negative effects because it has to go through a certain process through which it can gradually disrupt the body's functioning.
First it must penetrate the cell and then securely attach itself to it.When the body's protective functions weaken, the infection can provoke clinical manifestations.But despite the virus's capabilities, the body is fully capable of destroying it on its own.The virus can be present in the body for a long period of time, but the disease may not appear immediately.Ultimately, the immune system fights viruses and destroys the pathogen before it can harm health.However, because the immune system weakens with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and penile and throat cancer in men.
Why does infection occur?
This infection is often transmitted sexually, even when contraceptives are used.There are also other situations in which you can easily become infected with HPV, including:
- infection from scratches or abrasions;
- contact with infected skin;
- hygiene articles for porters;
- surgical instruments.
If a woman falls ill with 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 infected people.There are cases where infection occurs through contact with affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during the massage.Medical staff are also at high risk of infection from inhaling dust during laser removal of genital warts.
However, without certain conditions, it is difficult for the virus to show its activity.Factors contributing to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sex life;
- hormonal imbalances;
- consequences of medical interventions such as abortion or intrauterine device;
- poor 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 connect to the nucleus.After all these actions, the affected cell receives the signal from the virus 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 human papillomavirus in his body, since it develops without any external manifestation.Thus, the patient will continue to unknowingly infect other people.However, HPV does not survive long in the external environment because it has low resistance to its aggressive factors.For this reason, a healthy person becomes infected quickly.
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 period of time without causing any symptoms of infection.
Once favorable conditions exist, the virus begins to negatively affect the cells, leading to symptoms.
Main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, namely formations that appear in various places with high humidity.Papilloma viruses are usually localized in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.It manifests itself particularly often in the oral cavity, conjunctivitis, larynx, bronchi, rectum and genitals.
Indirect signs of HPV appear in the form of a precancerous condition.Oncological diseases occur rarely.However, cervical cancer and penile cancer are an exception, as this stage of the disease is frequently observed.However, you shouldn't panic because cancer is treatable in its early stages.
An indirect symptom occurs when the mucous membrane or skin is only covered with individual warts.
What does a papilloma look like?
The human papilloma virus manifests itself as a neoplasm that resembles ordinary warts, but, unlike them, is softer.Warts caused by the papilloma virus look like small nodules.Papillomas in the form of warts can be seen on the hands.HPV is also usually located on the face or legs.Such warts often have no negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can occur in the form of a condyloma, which, unlike warts, grows in the genital area.If such tumors are not treated, they can actively progress.
In addition, their presence significantly impairs sexual activity and may cause painful sensations during urination.Condylomas are easily damaged, they 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;
- precancerous condition;
- Cancer.
The last step should be avoided as it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous lesions can be treated successfully.
The incubation period for HPV is about a month.However, the virus can simply remain in the body without causing anything.
An HPV infection does not mean that a person will immediately develop skin lesions 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.
For an HPV infection, the incubation period is 3 weeks.The period can be up to 9-12 months.
The average is 3 months.The absence of clinical and histological signs of infection may mean that human papillomavirus is asymptomatic.
If the virus does not go away on its own after a few years, it means that it is a chronic form of transmission.In this case, the virus particle has established itself well in the cell, which is why active destructive actions can begin at any time.In this case, the virus begins to actively produce proteins that disrupt all phases of the cell cycle.This causes old cells that should no longer reproduce to divide.However, there may still be certain mechanisms that limit the influence of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly because HPV attacks them aggressively.This causes the nuclei of infected cells to take on an irregular shape and change color.This process is considered a precancerous stage.
If epithelial cells divide actively and uncontrollably under the influence of a virus, this leads to genetic problems and mutations.In addition, tissues have the ability to degenerate into cancer.The transition to the malignant oncological stage depends on the state of female sex hormones.
HPV is classified according to its oncogenic type:
- papilloma viruses that do not cause cancer;
- viruses that have a low risk of cancer;
- Infections with an average percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- Types of papillomaviruses that cause cancer.
Diagnosis of the virus
As soon as infection is suspected, it is better to immediately consult a doctor, as papillomas are a serious source of viruses.Because if the integrity of the virus is compromised, the virus can enter the environment, one can easily infect other people even without sexual contact.To determine the presence of the virus in the body, special diagnostics are carried out.Its implementation is recommended when various sexually transmitted diseases and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is initially diagnosed through a clinical examination.To find out the type and stage of the virus in detail, examinations are carried out in the form of an extended colposcopy, as well as 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 high HPV count, this is a malignant infection.Therefore, quantitative analysis is required to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If studies have shown reference values, this is the norm, that is, there are no papilloma viruses in the body.To make a diagnosis, women undergo a colposcopy, and men must undergo a comprehensive examination by a surgeon or urologist.The earlier the disease is detected, the better the prognosis.
HPV treatment
Since this virus is epitheliotropic, it only lives on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane and does not penetrate into the deeper layers.Therefore, many people wonder whether an HPV infection can go away on its own.The virus can actually disappear without any external influence.Because human skin and mucous membranes are constantly changing.Since the surface layer of the skin renews itself over time, the virus can be removed from the old cells on its own.According to statistics, cases have been recorded when HPV disappears on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, treatment of the disease is not necessary, namely when there are no characteristic warts and precancerous signs.However, it is necessary to determine the stage of development of the disease.To do this, it is important to know which doctor to contact if there is suspicion of the presence of the human papilloma virus in the body.You should see a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, depending on the location of the formation, consultation with other specialized specialists may be necessary.
Treatment options
To remove the human papillomavirus from the body, complex therapy is required:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- if necessary, removal of papillomas.
As therapy, medications are prescribed that strengthen and stimulate the immune system.They contain vitamins B6, C, E and adaptogens.Medications can be in the form of tablets, injections, tampons with ointment, or vaginal suppositories.This depends on the course of the disease and the area in which the papilloma occurs.
Papilloma viruses usually occur in adults with immunodeficiency, as it is difficult for the body to deal with harmful organisms on its own.To combat such infections, it is necessary to take special medications containing substances that strengthen immunity.
Modern, high-quality medicine helps to quickly get rid of HPV and prevent possible negative manifestations in the form of cancer.
Self-medication is not recommended as there is a high risk of spreading 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 selects an appropriate method of treatment that can prevent further development of the papilloma virus.
Warts can be easily removed through medical procedures.But papillomas can disappear on their own.If there are many papillomas and warts in one place, only a few large ones are removed, the rest can disappear on their own.Since the type of virus can be malignant, treatment must be started.If the problem is cosmetic, there is no need to delay therapy, since papillomas can appear on the face, especially on the nose, eyelids and lips.
You can remove affected tissue:
- surgical intervention;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser method;
- cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen;
- chemical combustion.
Warts should not be picked or cut off.For this reason, numerous neoplasms can arise.It is better to have the papilloma removed by 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.For adolescent girls, vaccination before first sexual intercourse is recommended.In this way, the body can protect itself from the harmful effects of an infection without providing a favorable breeding ground for the virus to develop.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenereologist who treats sexually transmitted diseases and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be destroyed, relapses may occur, in which the papilloma appears in the same place or in a different part of the skin.
Preventive measures
To avoid developing human papillomavirus, it is important to find out what may be causing the infection.Since virus particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, prevention of papilloma viruses begins with strengthening the immune system.This is how the immune system can effectively fight any HPV virus and prevent it from spreading and causing disease.It is important to switch to the right diet so that the body regularly receives the necessary portions of vitamins and minerals.
Comprehensive prevention helps keep the immune system in a normal state.In order not to get sick with the papilloma virus, the body must fight it effectively.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 and engage in moderate physical activity.Because overload can have a negative effect on the immune system.
Since other people's hygiene items are considered a source of infection, it is better to avoid using them.It is recommended to exclude casual sex and use only barrier methods of contraception.
For a timely diagnosis of the papilloma virus, women need to regularly visit a gynecologist, and men - a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, every patient can completely eliminate or prevent the occurrence of infection and other negative consequences of this viral disease.