The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, condylomas and is a triggering factor in the development of cervical and laryngopharyngeal cancer. 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-fold in the last 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to studies in the regions, varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly cautious due to the fact that about a third of all virus genotypes isolated causes the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Entering a woman's body, HPV can show different activity, which depends on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, 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 only be determined using molecular biological research methods.
- Inflammation associated with HPV As a rule, we are talking about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis in the background of HPV, which leads the patient to a gynecologist. At the consultation, she can find out: 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.
- Condylomas located in the anogenital region and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract are a form of the course of PVI (papillomavirus infection), in which the use of modern surgical techniques to remove formations becomes necessary. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapses.
- Cervical dysplasia. It may be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, it is more important than ever to have a correct understanding of how HPV is treated in women.
The classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups depending on 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 as high and medium oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - 56, -58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
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 a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, the HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If not, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during delivery);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13 to 30 are more susceptible to infection with the virus. At first sexual contact, 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 for HPV and then 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 a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, the HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If not, 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 stresses that weaken the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequently changing sexual partners also increases the risk of becoming infected with new strains of the virus and activating an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cellular genome, which carries a high probability of cancer - it has not yet been discovered how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science. That is why it is so important to keep the virus activity under control and properly stimulate the immune defense.
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 Organs genitals and on 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, due to 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 sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can appear only in the later stages of a chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently being treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, the therapy 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 medicines that lead to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - the focus of physicians is on the need for combined treatment of the 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 rather than spread. The reduction of viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for clinicians on the topic of "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 visit a doctor arises when any 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 Organs genitals.
In a situation where accidental intercourse has occurred, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. He will do an examination, a gynecological smear and a scrape to detect HPV.
If the papillomas occur on other parts of the body, consultation with a dermatovenereologist is necessary. When papillomas or condylomas grow in the anus, intervention by a proctologist may be necessary. This will help determine treatment tactics and which papilloma remedies should be prescribed to the patient in a specific case for purchase at a pharmacy.
general scheme of therapy
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is the person's own stable immunity. The American Center 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 the self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
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;
- viral load reduction;
- stimulation of the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment, and comorbidities reduce a woman's immune system's ability to deal with the virus on her own. There are drugs that, having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help to strengthen the body and lead to a decrease in the viral load. These modern medicines include a spray with activated glycyrrhizic acid, obtained from licorice root. It helps prevent the early replication of the virus and reduces the number of copies of the HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle for administration of the drug to the cervix and its uniform distribution along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the onset of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus has caused changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps to:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore mucosal integrity;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the period of preparation for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, to decrease the activity of the virus and prevent recurrences. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the setting of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are subject to removal, which can be performed by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to the neoplasm with cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high frequency current;
- laser removal - layer-by-layer exposure 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 selectively prescribed - in case it is impossible to use other methods.
Among the novelties in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR/Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts the DNA and incorporates its sections, thus inactivating the spread of the virus.
Prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraception (condom) is recommended, which, although not absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You must be selective in your choice of sexual partners. If an accidental connection occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, vaccination against HPV is the most effective. Protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was believed that after 20 years of vaccination it made no sense. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective up to age 45-47.
If a virus infection occurs, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the patient's good health, in particular the good state of their immune system. Women should regularly visit a gynecologist to detect virus-associated diseases in the early stages.