Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to viral infection.The papilloma virus is present in most people, regardless of gender.But in frequent cases, this virus does not present characteristic symptoms by which to determine the presence of an infection.
What is HPV infection
Many people don't 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 papilloma virus infection, which consists of different types, penetrating the body.However, some of these viruses do not cause any 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 immediately have a negative effect, because it must go through a certain process by which it can gradually disrupt the functioning of the body.
First, it must enter the cell and then attach itself securely.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 may be present in the body for a long time, but the illness may not appear immediately.After all, the immune system fights viruses, destroying the pathogenic factor before it can harm health.But as the defenses weaken with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, and cancer of the penis and larynx in men.
Why does infection occur?
This infection is often transmitted sexually, even if contraception is used.There are also other situations in which you can easily become infected with HPV, including:
- infection from scratches or abrasions;
- come into contact with infected skin;
- wearer hygiene items;
- surgical instruments.
If a woman has 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 items of infected people.There are cases where infection occurs through contact with affected skin surfaces.This usually happens during massage.Medical personnel 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 that contribute to the manifestation of HPV:
- hypothermia of the body;
- early sex life;
- hormonal imbalances;
- the 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 connect to the nucleus.After all these actions, the affected cell will receive a signal from the virus particles to synthesize proteins.
Because 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 appears 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 a human papilloma virus infection in his body, since it develops without external manifestations.Thus, the patient will continue to infect other people without knowing it.However, HPV does not live for a long time in the external environment, since it has low resistance to its aggressive factors.For this reason, 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 begins to negatively affect cells, leading to the appearance of symptoms.
Main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by certain signs, including formations appearing in various places with high humidity.The papillomavirus is generally localized in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.It especially often manifests itself 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, since this stage of the disease is often observed.However, do not panic, because at an early stage, cancer is easily treatable.
An indirect symptom is detected if the mucous membrane or skin is covered only with single warts.
What does papilloma look like?
The human papillomavirus manifests itself as neoplasms similar to ordinary warts, but unlike them, they are softer.Warts caused by papillomavirus 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 leg.Often, these warts do not cause negative consequences.
The manifestation of the virus can take the form of condyloma, which, unlike warts, develops in the genital area.If these tumors are left untreated, they can actively progress.
In addition, their presence significantly interferes with sexual activity and painful sensations may occur during urination.Condylomas are easily damaged, they can constantly bleed, cause irritation of 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 step should be avoided because it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous conditions can be treated successfully.
The incubation period for HPV lasts about a month.However, the virus can simply stay 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 papilloma virus to manifest itself, since it is individual and depends on the characteristics of the organism.
For HPV infection, the incubation period is 3 weeks.The period can extend up to 9 to 12 months.
The average is 3 months.If there are no clinical and histological signs of infection, this may mean that human papillomavirus is asymptomatic.
If the virus does not disappear on its own after a few years, this means that it has become a chronic carrier.In this case, the virus particle has taken root well in the cell, which is why active destructive actions can begin at any time.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 be reproducing will divide.But there may still be certain mechanisms that will limit the influence of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that HPV aggressively affects them.The nuclei of infected cells then take on an irregular shape and change color.This process is considered a precancerous condition.
If epithelial cells divide actively and uncontrollably under the influence of a virus, this leads to genetic problems and mutations.Additionally, 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:
- papillomaviruses which do not cause cancer;
- viruses that pose a low risk of cancer;
- infections with an average percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomaviruses that cause cancer.
Virus diagnosis
As soon as there is a suspicion of infection, it is better to immediately consult a doctor, since papilloma is a serious source of viruses.Since 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.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.To find out in detail the type of virus and its stage, examinations are carried out in the form of extensive colposcopy, cytological and histological studies of biopsy samples.The virus can be detected by analysis of 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 test reveals a high number of HPV, then the infection has become malignant.It is therefore necessary to carry out a quantitative analysis 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.To make the diagnosis, women undergo a colposcopy and men must undergo a complete examination by a surgeon or urologist.The earlier the disease is detected, the better the prognosis.
HPV treatment
This virus being epitheliotropic, it only lives on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes and does not penetrate deeper layers.Many people therefore wonder whether an 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 renews itself after a while, the virus can be eliminated from old cells on its own.According to statistics, cases have been recorded where HPV disappears on its own within three years.
Which doctor should I contact?
In some cases, treatment of the disease is not necessary, especially if there are no characteristic warts or 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 suspicion of the presence of the human papilloma virus in the body.You should consult a therapist or dermatologist.In the future, consultation with other specialized specialists may be necessary, depending on the location of the training.
Treatment options
To eliminate the human papilloma virus from the body, it is necessary to undergo complex therapy:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulators and multivitamins;
- if necessary, removal of papillomas.
In therapy, medications are prescribed to strengthen and stimulate the immune system.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 progression of the disease and the area of appearance of the papilloma.
The papilloma virus in an adult is usually encountered in immunodeficiency, since it is difficult for the body to cope with harmful organisms on its own.To combat such infections, it is necessary to take special medications containing substances intended to strengthen immunity.
High-quality modern medicine helps to quickly get rid of HPV, preventing possible negative manifestations in the form of cancer.
It is not recommended to self-medicate, as the risk of the virus progressing is high.Self-medication can be harmful, especially in cases of genital diseases.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the manifestation of the disease, the doctor selects a suitable treatment method that can prevent the further development of papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed through 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 of the larger 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.Treatment should not be delayed if it is a cosmetic problem, as papillomas may appear on the face, especially on the nose, eyelids and lips.
You can remove affected tissue:
- surgery;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser method;
- cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen;
- chemical combustion.
Warts should not be picked or cut.Indeed, many tumors can occur as a result.It is better to remove the papilloma from a specialist who will carry out the procedure taking into account the condition of the papillomavirus.
The development of clinical HPV can be prevented with a vaccine.Vaccination is recommended for adolescent girls before their first sexual intercourse.Thus, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of the infection, without providing the virus with a favorable environment for its development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenerologist who treats sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be destroyed, relapses may occur, in which a papilloma appears in the same place or in a different area of the skin.
Preventive measures
To avoid developing human papillomavirus, it is important to find out the possible cause of the infection.Since virus particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, HPV prevention begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, the immune system can effectively combat 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 with papillomavirus, 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 organize your work and rest schedule well, as well as to practice moderate physical activity.After all, overwork can harm 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 quick diagnosis of papillomavirus, women should regularly consult a gynecologist, and men - a urologist.By following clinical recommendations, each patient can completely get rid of or prevent the appearance of infection and other negative consequences of this viral disease.