Papillomavirus is a group of viruses that includes about 24 subgroups. About 600 species have been discovered to date. It only passes from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and physicians. The virus can stimulate tumor processes, it is found on the skin, esophagus, mucous membranes of the mouth, bronchi, conjunctiva and even the rectum.
Causes and ways of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease that is contagious:
- During sexual intercourse;
- Touch, kiss;
- Due to scratches or wounds while visiting a pool, bath, public toilet or gym;
- When shaving or epilating.
Statistics show that even with one partner, women become infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is infected and are carriers of HPV. The virus is particularly active in patients who have warts on the body (which is what causes the virus) in the form of dense or flat, uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of the newborn from the mother during childbirth. In infants the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. No visible signs of the virus have been observed so far.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and all at once, but it is also possible for many warts or papillomas to grow rapidly at once, in the form of sea cabbage of a similar shape.
If the infection is sexually transmitted, then human papillomavirus is detected in women:
- In the Labia region;
- Vagina;
- Cervix;
For men:
- Around the head of the penis;
- On the skin of the genitals.
When partners are seduced by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are damaged, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, rectum.
Men rarely suffer from this disease, although they may be carriers of it. The virus is more common in women when examined by spouses.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, consult a doctor immediately, because with some types of viruses, neoplasms re-emerge, causing cancer.
Classification and types
About 600 species of the virus have been identified to date. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years of infection with normal immunity.
However, up to 40 species are dangerous to humans and cause neoplasms, both benign and oncological.
In the 1980s, doctors confirmed the link between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the location and variety of skin lesions:
- Plantar;
- "Mold warts";
- Ordinary;
- Apartment.
On the genitals:
- Genital warts;
- Flat, provoking changes in the surface of the cervix and causing oncology;
- Papillomas that cause cancer of the genitals and anus in both women and men.
Other types:
- Damage to the oral mucosa;
- Respiratory papillomas;
- Tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Varieties:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the hands, and in children they can grow on the knees. They look like rough formations in the form of cones.
- Plantar - prevents walking, look at the shiny formations first, then grow to the wart at the base of the ring. Growing up, they form a whole bouquet of similar formations.
- Flat - the color is slightly different from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Philiform. In medicine they are called acrocords. They are more common in people over the age of 50. At first they look like yellowish bumps, they grow, forming growths up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in conspicuous places, the patient can go to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect a visit to the gynecologist.
Diagnosis of the virus
If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae-like (warts) or uneven, bumpy warts, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but it is best to remove them to reduce the chances of infecting those around you.
Because of the possibility of developing cancer, such neoplasms are examined.
The doctor performs an analysis on the human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examination of the mucosa under strong enlargement) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
According to the results of cytological examination, the cervical smear is divided into 5 classes:
- Without changes;
- The changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- There are slight changes in the structure of the cells, histology is required;
- Cells with signs of malignant changes have been found;
- There are many cells with signs of cancer.
Histological examination gives a more detailed picture of changes in tissue structure.
Clinics use special HPV tests that allow you to get more accurate test results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of malignant processes in the tissue.
HPV is at high oncogenic risk. The high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of the study cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV treatment methods
How to treat human papillomavirus? In connection with the decline of immunity caused by the disease, first of all, doctors prescribe medications that increase it:
- Interferons;
- Interferonogens.
But the main means of treatment is the mandatory removal of neoplasms by modern cosmetology methods:
- Diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- Cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- Laser removal;
- Radio or chemical processing;
- Introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into formations.
The types of treatment in each case of the disease should be determined by a specialist.
If according to the results of the examination, no abnormal processes are found in the skin, then papillomas with a small area around the skin are removed. If malignant cells are detected, surgery can occupy a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? Traditional medicine has always helped with diseases. Experience in treating HPV is also quite large.
Remedies recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate warts:
- Celandine juice;
- Sour apple juice and their broth;
- Dandelion juice;
- Ammonia.
Proven recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, sim, freeze and apply ice cubes 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
- Kerosene and walnuts. Grind the unripe nuts in a meat grinder, then mix: 1 part nut to 2 parts kerosene, the mixture should be massaged for three weeks. Apply on warts 2 times a day.
To boost immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- Potato juice,
- Echinacea infusion,
- Rose tea.
Plant Collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- Worm, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), planet.
HPV treatment at home
You can get rid of papillomas by using medicines sold in pharmacies at home:
- A special composition that freezes warts. It should be applied carefully so that it does not get on healthy skin. After about a week after the procedure, the growths will disappear and leave no trace.
- Processing with adhesive strips. It only takes 3 hours. But this can cause unpleasant or painful sensations when disconnected.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and apply to papillomas with this composition.
Infection prevention
And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. By removing papillomas from the surface of the skin, it will be impossible to escape from 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.
Prevention requires:
- Use a condom for casual sex. Condoms do not completely protect against HPV infection because they do not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but at least partially help prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus. 11-12 year old girls are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.
Did you find a wart or a suspicious rash on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and removal methods and take action!