Human Papilloma Virus in Women - Symptoms and Treatment

If warts appear near the anus, it means that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is progressing in the body. A dangerous infection, which in the active phase can cause oncology, death. Diagnosis and treatment must be timely.

What is the Human Papillomavirus

HPV is a common genital infection that, through active cell division, causes warts to appear in the intimate areas. The virus group of the papillomavirus family includes 5 genera, 27 species, more than 170 strains. HPV is infected with about 60% of the world population. In most cases, the virus has been in the body in a latent form for many years.

Incubation period

Replication lasts 3 months, when the virus does not manifest at all. In some cases, the incubation period varies from 16 days to 12 months, depending on the state of immunity. During this period, the infection multiplies, reaching healthy tissues. The immunity of young women eliminates HPV on its own in 80-90% of cases. In the remaining 10-20%, the infection intensifies, the disease becomes chronic.

Infection routes

Human papillomavirus infection in women enters the body in the following ways:

  • Sexual. The main route of infection, in which the infection enters the body through anal and vaginal contact.
  • Contact and family. The use of a sick person's things, clothes, shoes, household items.
  • From mother to fetus. HPV is transmitted to the baby as it moves through the birth canal, if the mother is infected.
  • Contact. Skin contact with an infected person.

Causes of HPV in Women

Strong immunity destroys the virus in 90% of cases and no treatment is needed. In the rest of the patients, it becomes active, relapses. The causes of HPV in women are:

  • viral diseases;
  • early sexual activity;
  • HIV AIDS;
  • frequent change of sexual partners;
  • immunosuppressive therapy;
  • unprotected sexual intercourse;
  • long-term medication;
  • childbirth, frequent abortions;
  • diabetes;
  • drug addiction, alcoholism in women;
  • chronic diseases of the genitourinary sphere;
  • weak immunity after illness.

what is dangerous

Papillomaviruses in women cause malignant tumors of the cervix, lips, vulva and anus. Breast cancer can progress. To rule out uterine dysplasia and the development of cancer, it is necessary to determine the DNA virus in time and start treatment. HPV during pregnancy is fraught with fetal infection. If a woman becomes ill during childbirth, complex therapy begins at 7 months of age, when the child's organs are fully formed.

Oncogenic HPV Types

Depending on the degree of risk of cancer, the following types of HPV are differentiated in women:

  • Not oncogenic. HPV types 1, 2, 4, 5. Pathogenic changes in cells are excluded, cancer does not develop.
  • Low oncogenic. Hpv types 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40–44, 51, 61, 72, 73 do not cause oncology with persistent immunity. Under the influence of provocative factors, the development of a malignant tumor is possible.
  • Medium oncogenic. HPV types 52, 53, 56, 58 and 30, 35, 45. Under the influence of triggering factors, cancer develops.
  • Highly oncogenic. Types of Hpv 50, 59, 68, 64, 70 and 16, 18, 31, 33, 39. The probability of developing oncology is high.

Types of HPV 16 and 18

HPV type 16 is highly oncogenic. The microbe invades the body's cells, blocks the anti-tumor defense. In the area of the genitals, anus, gray spots with a rough surface appear. Over time, warts, papillomas and condylomas form. They are located not only on Organs genitals, but also on the neck, eyelids, thighs and armpits.

HPV type 18 also integrates into the DNA of cells, reduces the activity of the immune system, which creates favorable conditions for benign tumors prone to malignancy. Cervical cancer can develop. HPV type 18 also causes papillomas, genital warts, and warts.

infection symptoms

Signs of infection depend on the strains a person has contracted. At first, the HPV carrier does not feel discomfort. The virus is in a latent (asymptomatic) form. Under the influence of provocative factors, the following signs of HPV appear:

  • pain in the external genitals;
  • burning sensation, vaginal discharge;
  • skin neoplasms;
  • pain during intercourse.

Papillomas and Condylomas

Skin growth is the first sign of HPV. Genital warts appear when infected with viruses of 6, 11 types. The lumps are skin-colored, externally resembling cauliflower. These neoplasms are often prone to malignancy, located in the anus, external genitalia, rarely close to the oral cavity. Eruptions are multiple and can merge into large foci. The main danger is the risk of injury to a lean leg.

Papillomas are caused by the activity of HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. Located on the lips, eyelids, chest, neck, armpits, and mouth. Densely consistent growths on the leg vary in color (pink, brown, pale). In women, vestibular papillomatosis can get worse. There is no cure for the disease. With strong immunity, these growths disappear without treatment, the risk of malignancy is minimal.

warts

In women, the following types of warts are differentiated in shape:

  • Common (ordinary). Located on the face, head, fingers, hands. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet, caused by HPV types 1, 2.
  • Filamentous. Leg nodules are located in the groin, under the armpits and in the mammary glands, on the genitals.
  • Flat (young). Located in the armpits, neck, arms, face and chest. They show up in adolescence, disappear on their own when they grow up. Caused by a virus types 3, 5.

Diagnosis

To speed up recovery for girls and women, you need to be screened and correctly determined the type of virus. In case of dangerous conditions, the woman is registered with the department of venereal diseases. Diagnosis is complex, includes the following methods:

  • Instrumental examination by a gynecologist. The doctor detects skin neoplasms, determines their size and location.
  • Colposcopy. A colposcope is used to examine the vagina, cervix and vulva. For study accuracy, use Lugol's acetic acid solution.
  • Biopsy. Scraping the biomaterial from the cervix is done to confirm or exclude oncology.
  • PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Determines the presence of human papillomavirus DNA.
  • ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). It is performed to detect specific antibodies in the blood in response to the effect of the virus.

Pap smear

This method is used in gynecology. To determine cancerous changes in the epithelium, a scraping of the cervix is done. The material is taken from the cervical canal, the mucous membrane on the inner side of the cervix, and the vaginal fornix. It is dyed, dried and then examined under a microscope. The purpose of the test is to identify atypical and cancerous cells.

The results evaluation steps are as follows:

  • lack of microbial flora;
  • the early stage of atypical cells;
  • abnormal structure of nuclei;
  • cells with irregular nucleus, cytoplasm, chromosomes;
  • high concentration of malignant cells.

PCR diagnosis

To determine the characteristic DNA regions of the papillomavirus, a smear is performed on the vagina. With a positive result, the antigen concentration per 100 cells is as follows:

  • Lg up to 3 - HPV concentration is low.
  • Lg 3-5 is a lot of papillomavirus.
  • Lg of 5 - high concentration of HPV.

digene test

This is a hybrid capture method that detects regions of papillomavirus DNA. The screening test is characterized by high sensitivity (over 96%), detecting early-stage HPV and a tendency to oncology. The Digene test determines virus concentration, often combined with a cytological study. The Digene test requires no preparation and is used around the world for quick results.

Papillomavirus treatment in women

Complex HPV therapy includes the following areas:

  • excision of skin growths;
  • taking antiviral medications;
  • course of immunostimulant treatment.

Condylomas and papillomas, depending on their location in the body, are easy to injure. Also, neoplasms can grow. These growths are best removed by surgery. Otherwise, it increases the risk that the skin lesions will soon become cancerous.

medicine

It is necessary to take medication to reduce the activity of the virus, to strengthen the immune system. The diagnosis is curable. List of drugs for the complex treatment of HPV:

  • Local cauterizers. They are gels, ointments, solutions with organic acids, antiviral components of the composition. This way you can remove small growths on the skin, stop its growth.
  • Antiviral. The composition of medicines contains an antiviral component, when it enters the body, antibodies are produced against the infection.
  • Immunomodulators. They inhibit papillomavirus reproduction, stop skin growth, increase resistance to pathogenic flora and strengthen the immune system.

Surgical

To prevent the growth of skin neoplasms with viral disease, one of the proposed surgical techniques is performed:

  • Laser therapy. Laser cauterization of growths. The method is allowed during pregnancy, characterized by good tolerance, rapid rehabilitation.
  • Cryodestruction. Warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen, after which they disappear without pain. After the procedure, scars do not remain on the body.
  • Diathermocoagulation. Skin growths are removed with an electric scalpel, electric current. After the procedure, scars and scars remain on the body.
  • Radio wave treatment. The method is painless, removes medium-sized growths, leaves no scars and has a minimum of medical contraindications.
  • Surgical method. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia after a preliminary examination. Indications - extensive soft tissue lesions, suspected oncology. The downside is the scars.

folk remedies

To remove papillomavirus manifestations in the complex treatment regimen, alternative medicine methods are used. It's impossible to cure HPV from the inside that way, but it really is possible to eliminate skin neoplasms without consequences. To remove genital warts, warts and papillomas, use the following health recipes:

  • Remove a new celandine stalk, rinse, rub growth into skin. Perform the procedure 1 time / day until the wart dries and falls off on its own.
  • Lubricate warts with castor oil 3-4 times/day. Run the procedure until the buildup disappears.
  • Squeeze the juice from the garlic, lubricate the pathology lesions. Carry out the procedure 2-3 times / day. In time, the wart will disappear.
  • Cut the rowan fruit in half. Apply to the wart, fix with plaster. Perform the procedure before going to bed, the positive dynamic is noticeable after 8 days. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
  • Combine lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Stir, apply to outer growths 2-3 times/day, until they fall off.
folk remedies for HPV in women

To quickly destroy the virus and strengthen the immune system, curative decoctions and infusions instead of tea can be included in the complex treatment regimen. Popular remedies with immunostimulating properties are as follows:

  • Conifer infusion. Pour 1 tbsp. I. needles, chopped needles 1 cup of boiling water. Cook over moderate heat for a quarter of an hour. Cool, strain, drink the broth before meals (you can add honey).
  • Sugary onion. Cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. onion skin in a ratio of 1: 10. Insist on broth, strain. Take 1 teaspoon orally. 5-6 times / day before meals (can be added honey).

Prophylaxis

It is difficult to choose the right medicine and destroy the papillomavirus for good. Additionally, antiviral therapy has several side effects. You need to take preventive measures in time. The medical recommendations are as follows:

  • Follow personal hygiene rules.
  • Take the HPV test 2 times / year.
  • Eliminate promiscuous sex.
  • Use barrier contraceptives.
  • Strengthen the immune system (especially during the period of seasonal vitamin deficiency).
  • Monitor your medication intake.
  • Lead an active lifestyle, play sports.

Prevention of HPV in women includes vaccination. Stationary vaccination is only able to protect against 4 types of papillomaviruses - 16 and 18, 6 and 11.