The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, condyloma and is a triggering factor in the development of cancer of the cervix and laryngopharynx. Less commonly, it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times over the past 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to studies in the regions, ranges from 29% to 45%. The medical community is especially suspicious due to the fact that about a third of all isolated virus genotypes provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Getting into a woman's body, HPV can show different activity, which depends on the state of immunity. Depending on the behavior of the pathogen, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. The virus persists in the body, but does not cause pathological changes in cells. There are no symptoms - the presence of a microorganism can be determined only with the help of molecular biological research methods.
- Inflammation associated with HPV As a rule, we are talking about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis on the background of HPV, which leads the patient to consult a gynecologist. In consultation, she can discover: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation on its own, but creates conditions for the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma located in the anogenital region and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract is a form of the course of PVI (papillomavirus infection), in which it becomes necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapses.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - in order to avoid this situation, a good understanding of how HPV is treated in women is more important than ever.
The classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogenic strains are also divided into groups according to their ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of the virus transmitted by sexual contact, 14 are classified at high and medium oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - 56, -58, -59, -66 and -68.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main way of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people between the ages of 13 and 30 are most likely to be infected with the virus. At first sexual intercourse, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can also enter the body in the absence of direct sexual intercourse. It is girls who are most at risk from HPV, and therefore with its consequences. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genitals.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- Endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiencies and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortions;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequently changing sexual partners also increases the risk of infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cellular genome, which leads to a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has not yet been discovered. Therefore, it is so important to control the activity of the virus and to stimulate the immune defense correctly.
Early Signs of HPV in Women and Additional Symptoms
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genitals and the skin of the anogenital region. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, because of which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent relapses of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
On examination, the doctor finds benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can only appear in the later stages of a chronic HPV infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
In order to understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, the treatment of HPV infection is reduced to the following activities:
- prevention of progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no drugs that lead to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - doctors are focusing on the need for combined treatment of various manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the viral code to self-destruct instead of spreading. Reducing viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on "How to treat HPV in women" is currently detailed in current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to consult a doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to consult a doctor arises when disturbing symptoms appear:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual discharge or bad smell from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where accidental intercourse took place, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist. He will perform an examination, do a gynecological smear and a scraping to detect HPV.
If papillomas occur in other parts of the body, consultation with a dermatovenereologist is necessary. When papillomas or condyloma develop in the anus, the intervention of a proctologist may be necessary. This will help to determine what treatment tactics and remedies for papilloma to prescribe to the patient in a particular case for purchase in pharmacies.
General scheme of therapy
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is the stable immunity of the person himself. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop due to self-suppression of the virus by immunitynatural.
Treatment of HPV infection should be comprehensive and aim to:
- therapy of concomitant diseases;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medically and, if necessary, surgically;
- reduction in viral load;
- stimulation of the body's defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and co-morbidities reduce the ability of a woman's immune system to deal with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help the strength of the body and lead to a decrease in viral load. These modern drugs include a spray containing activated glycyrrhizic acid, obtained from licorice root. It helps prevent the virus from replicating early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle for drug delivery to the cervix and its even distribution along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus has caused changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the period of preparation for the elimination of mild formations caused by HPV, to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent relapses. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are prone to removal, which can be carried out by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to neoplasm with cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high-frequency current;
- laser removal - exposure layer by layer to laser irradiation until a crust appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to warts and destroy them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of destruction, it is prescribed selectively - if it is impossible to use other methods.
Among the new developments in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR / Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts DNA and integrates its sections, thus inactivating the further spread of the virus.
Prevention
In primary prevention, it is recommended to use barrier contraception (condoms) which, although not an absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You must be selective in choosing your sexual partners. If an accidental connection has taken place, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, HPV vaccination is the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. The most effective time for vaccination is childhood and adolescence. Previously it was believed that after 20 years of vaccination does not make sense. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective up to 45-47 years of age.
If a viral infection occurs, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the good health of the patient, in particular the good state of his immune system. Women should regularly visit a gynecologist to detect diseases associated with the virus at an early stage.