The papillomavirus is a group of viruses, in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is only transmitted from person to person. The problem of diagnosis and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is able to give impetus to tumor processes, it is found on the skin, in the esophagus, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, conjunctiva and even in the rectum.
Causes of appearance and routes of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sex;
- when touched, kissed;
- by scratches or cuts while visiting the swimming pool, public baths, public restrooms or gymnasium;
- when shaving or waxing.
Statistics say that even with only one partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is sick and carriers of HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted by patients who have warts on the body (it is this virus that causes them to appear) in the form of sharp or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of newborns from the mother during childbirth. In babies, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or on the genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latency period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At present, there are no visible signs of the virus.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible that many condylomas or papillomas grow rapidly at once, similar in shape to sea kale.
If the infection occurred sexually, the human papilloma virus manifests in women:
- in the lip area;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are carried away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, rectum.
Men rarely suffer from the disease, although they can be carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is more often found in women.
Warning!If suspicious growths are found, urgently consult a doctor, because with some types of viruses, neoplasms reappear, causing cancer.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 types of viruses have been discovered. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years of infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans, causing neoplasms, both benign and oncological.
In the 80s of the last century, doctors proved the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following virus types are categorized by skin lesion site and varieties:
- plantar;
- "butcher's warts";
- ordinary;
- apartment.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, causing changes in the surface of the membrane of the cervix and causing oncology;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genitals and anus, both in women and in men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- papillomas of the respiratory tract;
- tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Varieties:
- Single papillomas appear on the back of the palms, and in children they can develop on the knees. They look like rough, cone-shaped growths.
- Plantar - interfere with walking, at first look like shiny growths, then become a wart with a ledge at the base. Growing up, they form a whole bunch of similar formations.
- Flat - the color differs little from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine, they are called acrochords. They appear more often in people over the age of 50. At first they look like yellowish bumps, growing, forming growths up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in visible areas, a sick person can go to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect visits to the gynecologist.
Viral diagnosis
If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or uneven, bumpy warts, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they are best removed to reduce the risk of infecting those around you.
Due to the possibility of the development of cancer, such neoplasms are being studied.
The doctor performs an analysis for the human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucous membrane (colposcopy with lesion of the cervix - examination of the mucous membrane under high magnification) or from the skin. The sample is examined under a microscope to detect changes in the structure of the tissue (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of a cytological study:
- no change;
- changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are minor changes in the structure of cells, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes were found;
- there are many cells showing signs of cancer.
Histological examination gives a more detailed picture of changes in the structure of the tissue.
Clinics use special HPV tests that allow you to get more accurate analysis results. A positive test result indicates the appearance of malignant processes in the tissues.
HPV is at high oncogenic risk. A high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of examination cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV Treatment Methods
How to treat human papillomavirus? In connection with the decrease in immunity caused by the disease, first of all, doctors prescribe drugs that increase it:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
But the main way of treatment is the obligatory removal of neoplasms by the methods of modern cosmetology:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into the growths.
In each case of the disease, the types of treatment should be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, no pathological processes in the skin are found, only papillomas with a small area of skin around them are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? From time immemorial, traditional medicine has helped in the fight against disease. The experience in treating HPV is also quite extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate the warts:
- celandine juice;
- juice of sour apples and their marc;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven Recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze it and apply pieces of ice 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
- Kerosene and nuts. Grind unripe walnuts in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part of walnuts - 2 parts of kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply to warts twice a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Plant collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
Home HPV Treatment
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It should be applied carefully so that it does not get on healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growths will disappear without a trace.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. Only takes 3 hours. But it can cause unpleasant or painful sensations when torn off.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and smear the papillomas with this composition.
Infection prevention
And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. By removing papillomas from the surface of the skin, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should consult a specialist to prevent the degeneration of neoplasms into cancer. It's not yet possible to completely cure HPV, but you can take steps to avoid getting infected.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not completely protect against HPV infection, since it does not cover the entire surface of the skin against contact, but still partially helps to prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls aged 11-12 are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.
Found a suspicious wart or growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and disposal methods and take action!