Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to an infection of viral origin.Papillomavirus occurs in most people, regardless of gender.However, in most 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 people.This virus appears as a result of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of various types, entering the body.However, some of these viruses are harmless.But there is another category of virus, thanks to which new growths appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membrane.In addition to affecting the sexual organs, there are also the most dangerous types that cause cancer.
When HPV enters the body, it does not have an immediate negative effect, because it must gradually go through a certain process that can disrupt the body's functioning.
It must first penetrate the cell and then securely adhere to it.When the protective functions of the body decrease, the infection can cause clinical manifestations.But despite the capabilities of the virus, the body is quite capable of destroying it on its own.The virus can be in the body for a long time, but the disease may not appear immediately.After all, the immune system fights viruses, destroys the pathogenic factor before it harms health.However, as protection weakens with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, and cancer of the genital organ and larynx in men.
Why does infection occur?
Even if contraception is used, this infection is often sexually transmitted.There are other ways you can easily get HPV, including:
- infection through scratches or abrasions;
- contact with infected skin;
- user's hygiene products;
- 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, 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 a massage.During the laser removal of genital warts, medical workers are also at high risk of infection due to dust inhalation.
However, it is difficult for the virus to show its activity without certain conditions.Factors contributing to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- the consequences of medical procedures such as abortion or intrauterine devices;
- 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 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 he has a human papillomavirus infection in his body, because it develops without external manifestations.Thus, the patient will continue to infect other people without knowing it.However, HPV does not survive for a long time in the external environment, because it has low resistance to aggressive factors.For this reason, a healthy person is easily infected.
When the virus reaches the surface of the skin, the basal layer of the epidermis is affected.But the infection can remain hidden for a long time without causing symptoms.
As soon as favorable conditions arise, the virus will begin to negatively affect the cells, resulting in symptoms.
The main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, that is, formations that appear in different places of 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 symptoms 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, you should not panic because early stage cancer is easily treated.
If the mucous membrane or skin is covered with only single warts, an indirect symptom is detected.
What does a papilloma look like?
Human papillomavirus manifests itself as neoplasms similar to ordinary warts, but unlike them, it is softer.Warts caused by papillomavirus look like small nodules.Papilloma in the form of a wart can appear on the hands.HPV is also usually localized on the face or legs.Often, such warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can be in the form of condyloma growing in the genital area, unlike warts.Such tumors can actively progress if left untreated.
Moreover, their presence significantly interferes with sexual activity and there may be painful sensations during urination.Condylomas are easily damaged, they constantly bleed, cause irritation in the perineum, and eventually lead to the development of bacterial infections.
How does HPV develop?
The virus goes through 3 stages of development:
- HPV infection in the body;
- pre-cancerous;
- Cancer.
The last stage should be avoided because it has irreversible consequences.Even pre-cancerous conditions can be successfully treated.
The incubation period for HPV is 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, because it depends on the individual and the characteristics of the body.
The incubation period for HPV infection is 3 weeks.The period can be extended up to 9-12 months.
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 go away on its own after several years, it means that it has become a chronic form of carriage.At this time, the virus particle is well rooted in the cell, so active destructive actions can begin at any time.In this case, the virus will begin to actively produce proteins, which will disrupt all stages of the cell cycle.As a result, old cells that should no longer reproduce will divide.However, there may still be some mechanisms that limit the effect of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the aggressive effect of HPV on them.This causes the nuclei of the infected cells to become irregularly shaped and discolored.This process is considered a precancerous condition.
If the epithelial cells divide actively and uncontrollably under the influence of the virus, it causes genetic problems and mutations.In addition, tissues have the ability to become cancerous.The transition to the malignant oncological stage depends on the state of female sex hormones.
HPV is classified according to the type of oncogene:
- non-cancerous papillomaviruses;
- viruses with a low risk of cancer;
- infections with a moderate percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomavirus that cause cancer.
Diagnosis of the virus
As soon as infection is suspected, it is better to consult a doctor immediately, because papilloma is a serious source of viruses.If the integrity of the virus is compromised, the virus can spread to the environment, and you can easily infect other people without having sex.Special diagnostics are performed to detect the presence of the virus in the body.It is recommended to perform it when various STIs and genitourinary infections are detected.
How to diagnose HPV
In adults, human papillomavirus is first diagnosed through clinical examination.To study the type and stage of the virus in detail, extensive colposcopy, cytological and histological studies of biopsy samples are carried out.The virus can be detected by analyzing DNA, antibodies and oncoproteins (E6, E7).Since there are HPV negative and positive HPV, it is important to determine the status of the virus in the body.
If a high number of HPV is detected during the examination, then the infection has become malignant.Therefore, quantitative analysis is necessary to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If studies have shown reference values, this is the norm, that is, 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 sooner 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 deeper layers, so many people wonder if HPV infection can pass 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 certain period of time, the virus can be cleaned from old cells on its own.According to statistics, there have been cases where HPV disappeared on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I see?
In some cases, the disease does not require treatment, that is, if there are no characteristic warts and precancerous symptoms.However, it is necessary to determine the stage of development of the disease, and for this it is important to know which doctor to consult if there is a suspicion of the presence of human papillomavirus in the body.You should consult a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, depending on the location of the formation, consultation with other specialized specialists may be required.
Treatment options
To remove the human papillomavirus from the body, it is necessary to carry out complex therapy:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- removal of papillomas if necessary.
Drugs 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.It depends on the course of the disease and the area of formation of papillomas.
In adults, papillomavirus is usually detected in immunodeficiency, because it is difficult for the body to cope with harmful organisms on its own.In order to fight such infections, it is necessary to take special drugs containing immunity-enhancing substances.
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 the risk of developing the virus is high.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 papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed with medical procedures.But papilloma can go away 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 by themselves.Since the type of virus can be malignant, it is necessary to start treatment.If it concerns a cosmetic problem, it is not necessary to delay the treatment, 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.
Do not pick or cut the warts.Indeed, multiple neoplasms can arise because of this.Taking into account the condition of the papillomavirus, it is better to remove the papilloma from a specialist who will perform the procedure.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented by vaccination.In adolescence, girls are recommended to be vaccinated before the first sexual intercourse.Thus, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of infection without giving the virus a favorable soil for its development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenerologist who treats sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be eradicated, papilloma recurrences may occur in the same place or in a different area of the skin.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent the development of human papillomavirus, it is important to learn what can cause the infection.Since viral particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, prevention of papillomavirus begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, in this way, protective means can effectively fight any HPV virus, preventing its spread and causing disease.For this, it is important to switch to a proper diet so that the body regularly receives the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals.
Comprehensive prevention helps to keep the immune system in a normal state.After all, in order not to get sick with the papillomavirus, the body must fight effectively.For this, it is recommended 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, overworking can have a negative effect on the immune system.
Because other people's hygiene products 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 for contraception.
For timely diagnosis of papillomavirus, women should regularly consult a gynecologist, and men should consult 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.