The papillomavirus is a group of viruses, in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is transmitted only from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is capable of driving tumor processes, it is found on the skin, esophagus, mucous membranes of the mouth, bronchi, conjunctiva and even the rectum.
Causes of occurrence and forms of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- for scratches or cuts when visiting the swimming pool, changing room, public restrooms or gym;
- when shaving or waxing.
Statistics say that even with a partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is sick and has HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted from patients who have warts on their bodies (it is this virus that causes them to appear) in the form of irregular sharp or flat 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 latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At this time, 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 for many condylomas or papillomas to grow rapidly all at once, similar to sea cabbage.
If the infection occurred sexually, the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:
- in the region of the lips;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are taken by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, the rectum.
Men rarely suffer from the disease, although they can be carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is most often found in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, consult a doctor urgently, as with some types of viruses, neoplasms reborn, causing cancer.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 types of the virus 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 types of viruses are classified according to the location of skin lesions and varieties:
- to plant;
- "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 Organs genitals and anus in both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory tract papillomas;
- tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Varieties:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms and, in children, can grow on the knees. They look like rough growths in the form of cones.
- Plant - interfere with walking, look at first as shiny growths, and then grow to a wart with a border at the base. Growing up, they form a lot of similar formations.
- Flat - the color differs little from the skin, but it causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine, they are called acrochords. They appear most often in people over 50 years of age. At first, they look like yellowish bumps, growing, forming excrescences 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.
virus diagnosis
If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or bumpy, bumpy warts, you should definitely see a doctor. Warts don't cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but it's best to remove them to reduce the chance of infecting people around you.
Due to the possibility of developing cancer, such neoplasms are being investigated.
The doctor does an analysis for human papillomavirus - scraping of the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with injury to the cervix - examining the mucosa under strong magnification) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia) and the type of virus.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of a cytological study:
- without changes;
- the changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are small changes in cell structure, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes were found;
- there are many cells with signs of cancer.
Histological examination provides a more detailed picture of changes in tissue structure.
Clinics use special HPV tests that allow for more accurate test results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of malignant processes in the tissue.
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 screening cases.
Based on the test results, 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 means of treatment is the mandatory 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 growths.
In each case of the disease, the types of treatment must be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, no pathological processes are found on the skin, then only papillomas with a small area of skin around them will be removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Popular methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped to fight diseases. The experience in the treatment of HPV is also quite extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate warts:
- celandine juice;
- juice from sour apples and their pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze and apply ice chips 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil and cover with a cloth. Typically, 5-6 of these procedures are sufficient.
- Kerosene and walnuts. Grind green walnuts in a meat grinder and mix: for 1 part walnuts - 2 parts of kerosene, the mixture must be infused for three weeks. Apply to warts 2 times a day.
To boost immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herb collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), banana.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not stick to healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growths will disappear, leaving no traces.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. It only takes 3 hours. But it can cause unpleasant or painful sensations when pulled out.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and rub papillomas with this composition.
Infection prevention
And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unsightly growths. 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 is not yet possible to completely cure HPV, but you can take steps to prevent infection.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not completely protect against HPV infection as it does not cover the entire skin surface of contact, but it still partially helps to prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, toilets, even with the smallest skin wounds.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls ages 11 to 12 are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction of this disease in women who received the drug.
Have you found a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Know the treatment and removal methods and take action!