Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV-human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes more than 100 types of viruses, of which 80 are pathogenic to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population is a carrier of HPV. In most cases, the infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and can be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
Symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can be: various types of warts, flat and genital warts, cervical dysplasia. However, the most dangerous manifestation of the pathology is the development of cancer of the cervix. There is also evidence linking the development of cancers of the anus, external genitalia, vagina with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (type HPV 16, 18, 45, 56).
Transmission modes:
- Sexual contact.Is the main route of transmission for human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during sex significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, but does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur, as the viral particles are very small.
- Contact-household path.The causes of infection are the use of intimate hygiene products for the joints: towels, soap, use of public toilets, bath.
- Natural childbirth.HPV can be transmitted to children who are infected when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of this infection is the patient's skin and mucous membrane cells. In this case, a person themselves may not be aware that they have become a carrier of the virus, as warts and papillomas can be microscopic in size and remain invisible on visual examination.
Predisposing factors which contribute to the development of a viral infection:
- the onset of sexual activity at an early age;
- promiscuous sex without using a condom;
- frequent abortions;
- the presence of infectious diseases of the genitals;
- long-term use of oral contraceptives;
- decrease in the body's immune response;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- if the sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to frequent stressful situations;
- bad habits.
Through the pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus enters the basal layer of the epithelium, which ensures normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of cells in the basal layer contains information about the healthy structure of cells. A viral particle, incorporated into DNA, changes this information, resulting in the formation of damaged cells which, in the process of growing and dividing, cause symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One of the possible manifestations of infection with human papillomavirus is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. These are specific formations that resemble a cauliflower, a bunch of grapes or a rooster's comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially if there is anal sex.
Papillomas can occur on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, underarms, and on the scalp. They also sometimes form on the soles of the feet and cause a characteristic pain when walking.
This type of disease rarely degenerates into malignant tumor and cancer, however, in order to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are removed surgically.
Consequences of HPV infection
Human papillomavirus in women can cause large growths of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which will cause a feeling of discomfort, pain and, when injured, bleeding of varying severity canoccur.
HPVs of the eighteenth and sixteenth types are the most dangerous, as they lead to the development of cancer. Cancer of the cervix, which has been reliably linked to infection with the human papillomavirus, ranks second among various malignant diseases in women. The death rate reaches fifty percent.
Flat warts
The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that hardly protrude above the level of the skin.
Most often the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix are affected.
The cosmetic defect with them is much smaller than with genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of degeneration into cancer.
Dysplasia of the mucous membrane of the cervix
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of the cells of the mucous membrane of the cervix called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires intensive observation and treatment.
The disease in most cases is asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist. We can distinguish dysplasia of several degrees of severity: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity.
Cancer of the cervix
This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer is the second most common tumor pathology in women and is associated with infection with HPV types 16, 18.
The disease may progress without clinical signs or manifest as non-specific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, onset of vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle.
Methods of treatment of diseases
If there are signs of HPV infection, given the risk of consequences, do not self-medicate.
To choose the optimal treatment tactics, you need to visit a gynecologist, who after a thorough examination and required tests will prescribe adequate treatment.
So far, no drug has been invented to cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent further progression of the disease.
Main therapeutic areas:
- treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia); antiviral therapy
- ;
- the use of funds aimed at increasing immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even small in size, it is recommended to remove them, since the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in the female body, which helpsin the continuation of the progression of the pathology.
Surgical treatment
The methods of removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:
- surgical; cryotherapy
- ;
- diathermocoagulation; Laser coagulation
- ; radio wave therapy
- ;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method is to remove the growths with a scalpel, is the cheapest method of treatment, however, after that, a pronounced cosmetic defect remains, and the healing period is significantly lengthened. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of intervention is used in extreme cases.
During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, which freezes the pathological formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small sore forms underneath, which heals in 10 to 14 days.
Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to affected areas of the skin. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough scars instead of pathological formations.
During laser coagulation, the impact of laser beams on the affected area leads to the drying out of the neoplasms. A dry crust forms in their place, which after some time disappears without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the mildest, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radiation therapy involves exposing the affected area to radiofrequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, pronounced scars do not form, but the downside is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. A special medicine is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area, which disappears after a few days.
Drug use
Drug treatment for human papillomavirus infection includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
To reduce the concentration of the virus in a woman's body and prevent its further reproduction, long-term antiviral therapy is prescribed. Medicines are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of treatment should be determined only by the attending physician.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of a reduced level of immunity in order to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells and stimulate the production of antibodies intendedto fight the virus.
Treatment of HPV infection in pregnant women
The presence of human papillomavirus infection in a woman's body does not affect the reproductive system and is not a contraindication for pregnancy. If an exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, treatment of this condition is not carried out during this period, treatment is prescribed after childbirth.
However, a woman must be supervised by a doctor throughout her pregnancy. With the development of severe discomfort, mild methods of treatment are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications to vaginal delivery due to the progression of HPV, a cesarean section is performed.
Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies
At home, you can use folk remedies such as herbal decoctions and infusions - for the treatment of papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of the resulting warts, papillomas and warts.
Methods of preparing decoctions and infusions for the treatment of infection with human papillomavirus:
- Horsetail, nettle grass, rose hips, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal quantities. At 3 st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, then let infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Oregano herb, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettles, calendula, coltsfoot, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sageare mixed in equal amounts. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Take 0. 5 cup 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, motherwort are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tablespoon in a thermos. l. the resulting mixture pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water and infuse for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml twice a day.
For the treatment of local manifestations apply:
- Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or purchased at a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area should be steamed, and healthy areas close to the affected area should be treated with an oily cream. Celandine should be carefully applied to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every other day for a week until the pathological formation subsides.
- Garlic. The vegetable should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture to the areas of formations for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young nuts. They need to be crushed with a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0. 5 liter glass jar so that it is 2/3 full, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days, then pass through cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After treatment and elimination of external manifestations of HPV, a woman should see a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent disease progression.