Papillomavirus is a group of viruses, of which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It's just passed from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is able to give impetus to the tumor process, it is found in the skin, in the esophagus, in the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, conjunctiva and even in the rectum.
Causes of occurrence and mode of transmission
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- through scratches or cuts while visiting swimming pools, baths, public restrooms or gyms;
- when shaving or shaving.
Statistics say that even with one partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is sick and is a carrier of HPV. This virus is mainly transmitted from patients who have warts on their bodies (this virus causes them to appear) in the form of spiky or flat bumps 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 on the genitals.
Symptoms and progression of the virus
The latency period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. Currently, there are no visible signs of the virus.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one by one, but there is also the possibility of many condylomas or papillomas that grow quickly at once, shaped like sea kale.
If the infection occurs sexually, then the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:
- in the labia region;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the genitals.
When a partner is carried away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, rectum.
Men rarely get the disease, although they can be carriers of it. When examining a partner, the virus is more often found in women.
Attention!If a suspicious growth is found, immediately consult a doctor, because in some types of viruses, neoplasms are reborn, causing cancer.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 types of viruses have been found. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years of infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are harmful to humans, causing neoplasms, both benign and oncological.
In the 80s of the last century, doctors proved the connection between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the location of the skin lesions and their varieties:
- plant;
- "butcher's wart";
- normal;
- flat.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, provokes changes in the surface of the cervical membrane and causes oncology;
- papilloma that causes cancer of the genital organs and anus, both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- papillomas of the respiratory tract;
- tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Varieties:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms, and in children they can grow on the knees. They look like rough growths in the shape of a cone.
- Plantar - interferes with walking, sees at first as a shiny growth, then grows into a wart with an edge at the base. Growing up, they formed a large number of similar formations.
- Average - the color is slightly different from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They appear more often in people over the age of 50. At first, they look like yellowish lumps, grow, forming growths up to 6 mm long.
When warts appear in the visible area, the 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 the woman neglects the visit to the gynecologist.
Virus diagnosis
If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or warts that are uneven and bumpy, you should consult a doctor. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they are best removed to reduce the chances of infecting those around you.
Due to the possible development of cancer, such neoplasms are being investigated.
The doctor takes an analysis for human papillomavirus - scraping from the mucosal surface (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examining the mucosa with strong enlargement) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope to see changes in tissue structure (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of cytological studies:
- no changes;
- changes caused by the inflammatory process;
- there are small changes in the structure of the cells, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes are found;
- there are many cells with signs of cancer.
Histological examination provides a more detailed picture of changes in tissue structure.
The clinic uses a special HPV - a test that allows you to get a more accurate analysis result. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of a malignant process in the tissue.
HPV has a high oncogenic risk. The high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of the cases examined.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV Treatment Method
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;
- interferonogen.
But the main way of treatment is the mandatory removal of the neoplasm by modern cosmetology methods:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauteryization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into growth.
In each case of the disease, the type of treatment must be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, pathological processes on the skin are not found, then only papillomas with a small area around the skin are removed. If malignant cells are detected, surgery can capture significant areas, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped fight disease. Experience in the treatment of HPV is also quite extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate the wart:
- celandine juice;
- sour apple juice and its pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven Recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze and apply crushed ice 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 raw nuts in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part nuts - 2 parts kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply it on the wart 2 times a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herbal collection:
- dandelion root, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seed), calamus (root), clover (flower), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can get rid of papillomas at home using drugs that are sold in pharmacies:
- A special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so as not to hit healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growth will disappear, leaving no trace.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. It only takes 3 hours. But it can cause an unpleasant or painful sensation when removed.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of powdered aspirin, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and grease the papillomas with this composition.
infection prevention
However, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. Removing the papilloma from the surface of the skin, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should see a specialist to prevent the degeneration of neoplasms into cancer. HPV is not completely curable, but you can take steps to avoid infection.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. Condoms do not completely protect against HPV infection, as they do not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but they still help partially to prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, pools, toilets, even with the smallest cuts on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls aged 11-12 years are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in the disease in women who received the drug.
Have you ever found warts or suspicious growths 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!