Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common disease that develops due to an infection of viral origin.The papillomavirus occurs in most people, regardless of gender.But in frequent cases, this virus does not present 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 through contact with infected people.This virus appears as a result of the entry into the body of the causative agent of chronic human papillomavirus infection, which consists of different types.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 more 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, as 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 firmly attach itself to it.When the body's protective functions 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 disease may not appear immediately.After all, the immune system fights viruses, destroying the pathogenic factor before it can cause harm to health.But as defenses weaken with age, HPV can cause cervical cancer in women and penile and laryngeal cancer in men.
Why does the infection occur?
This infection is often transmitted sexually, even when contraception is used.There are also other situations where you can easily become infected with HPV, including:
- infection through scratches or abrasions;
- come into contact with infected skin;
- user hygiene items;
- 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 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 genital wart removal.
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;
- 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 themselves to the nucleus.After all these actions, the affected cell will receive a signal from the viral 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 occurs without obvious symptoms, the main reason for the active spread of several diseases.If the patient does not undergo the examination, he will not know that there is a human papillomavirus infection in his body, as it develops without external manifestation.Thus, the patient will continue to infect other people without knowing it.However, HPV does not live long in the external environment, as 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 arise, the virus will begin to negatively affect cells, resulting in the appearance of symptoms.
Main symptoms of HPV
Human papillomavirus infection can be determined by some signs, namely by formations that appear in various places with high humidity.The papillomavirus is usually localized in areas of the skin and mucous membranes.It manifests itself especially 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, as this stage of the disease is often observed.However, do not panic, because in the early stages 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 common warts, but, unlike them, they are softer.Warts caused by the papillomavirus look like small nodules.Wart-shaped papilloma can be seen on the hands.HPV is also usually located on the face or legs.Often these warts do not cause negative consequences.
The virus can manifest itself in the form of condyloma, which, unlike warts, grows in the genital region.If these tumors are not treated, they can actively progress.
Furthermore, its presence significantly interferes with sexual activity, and painful sensations may occur when urinating.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;
- pre-cancer;
- Cancer.
The last step should be avoided because it has irreversible consequences.Even precancerous conditions can be treated successfully.
The incubation period for HPV takes 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, as it is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body.
For HPV infection, the incubation period is 3 weeks.The period can extend 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 doesn't go away on its own after a few years, it means it has become a chronic form of transmission.In this case, the virus particle has taken root well 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 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 restrict the influence of viral particles.Epithelial cells multiply rapidly due to the fact that they are aggressively affected by HPV.This causes the nuclei of infected cells to 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.Furthermore, 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 that do not cause cancer;
- viruses with a low risk of cancer;
- infections with an average percentage of cancerous degeneration;
- types of papillomavirus that cause cancer.
Virus diagnosis
As soon as an infection is suspected, it is best to immediately consult a doctor, as papilloma is a serious source of viruses.Because if the integrity of the virus is compromised, the virus can be released into the environment, you can easily infect others even without sexual contact.To detect the presence of the virus in the body, special diagnostics are carried out.It is recommended to perform it when various STIs and urogenital infections are detected.
How to determine HPV
Human papillomavirus in adults is first diagnosed through a clinical examination.To know in detail the type of virus and the stage, tests are carried out in the form of expanded colposcopy, cytological and histological studies of biopsy samples.The virus can be detected through the 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, the infection has become malignant.Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a quantitative analysis to clarify the genotype of the virus.
If studies showed reference values, this is the norm, that is, there is no papillomavirus in the body.For diagnosis, women undergo colposcopy and men undergo 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, which is why many wonder if 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.As the surface layer of the skin renews itself after some time, the virus can be removed from 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 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 seek if the presence of the human papillomavirus is suspected in the body.You should visit 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 remove the human papillomavirus from the body, it is necessary to undergo complex therapy:
- antiviral medications;
- 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.Medicines can be in the form of tablets, injections, tampons with ointment, vaginal suppositories.This depends on the progression of the disease and the area of occurrence of the papilloma.
Papillomavirus in an adult is often found in immunodeficiency, since it is difficult for the body to cope with harmful organisms on its own.To combat these infections, it is necessary to take special medications that contain substances to increase immunity.
High-quality modern medicine helps to quickly eliminate 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 selects a suitable treatment method that can prevent the development of papillomavirus.
Warts can be easily removed by 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 will be removed, and the rest may disappear on their own.As the type of virus can be malignant, it is necessary to start treatment.Therapy does not need to be postponed if it is an aesthetic problem, as papillomas may 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 burning.
Warts should not be plucked or cut.In fact, because of this, numerous neoplasms can appear.It is best to remove the papilloma with 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.Immunization is recommended for girls in adolescence, before their first sexual intercourse.This way, the body will be able to protect itself from the harmful effects of the infection, without giving the virus favorable ground for development.Before vaccination, you should consult a dermatovenereologist who treats sexually transmitted and skin diseases.
If HPV cannot be destroyed, relapses may occur, in which the papilloma appears in the same or different area of the skin.
Preventive measures
To prevent the development of human papillomavirus, it is important to find out what the infection may be causing.Since viral particles are destroyed by a strong immune system, papillomavirus prevention begins with strengthening the immune system.After all, this way the defenses can effectively combat any HPV virus, preventing it from spreading and causing diseases.To do this, it is important to switch to proper nutrition 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 the papillomavirus, the body must fight it effectively.To do this, it is advisable to lead a healthy lifestyle and abandon bad habits.It is important to properly organize your work and rest schedule, as well as practicing moderate physical activity.After all, overwork 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 sex and use only barrier contraceptive methods.
For timely diagnosis of papillomavirus, women need to regularly visit a gynecologist, and men - 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.