Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV- human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes more than 100 types of viruses, 80 of which are pathogenic to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population are carriers of HPV. In most cases, infection occurs after the start of sexual activity and may be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
Symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can include: various types of warts, flat and genital warts, cervical dysplasia. However, the most dangerous manifestation of the pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also evidence linking the development of cancer of the anus, external genital organs, vagina with certain types of human papillomavirus infection (HPV types 16, 18, 45, 56).
Transmission method:
- Sexual contact.Is the main route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during sexual intercourse significantly reduces the risk of human papillomavirus infection, but does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur, because the viral particles are very small.
- Contact-household line.The cause of infection is the use of intimate joint hygiene products: towels, soap, use of public toilets, bathing.
- Giving birth naturally.HPV can be transmitted to infected children when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of this infection is the patient's skin cells and mucous membranes. In this case, a person may not even know that he or she has been a carrier of the virus, because warts and papillomas can be microscopic in size and remain invisible during the visual examination.
Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of virus infection:
- the onset of sexual activity at an early age;
- casual sex without using a condom;
- have frequent abortions;
- presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
- long-term use of oral contraceptive methods;
- decreases the body's immune response;
- does not comply with personal hygiene rules;
- if the sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to frequent stressful situations;
- bad habits.
Through the pores, cracks, microtrauma of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates into the basal layer of the epithelium, which ensures normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from basal layer cells carries information about the structure of healthy cells. Viral particles, which are inserted into DNA, change this information, resulting in the formation of affected cells, which, in the process of growth and division, cause disease symptoms.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One of the possible manifestations of human papillomavirus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. They are specific formations that have the appearance of cauliflower, bunch of grapes or rooster's comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, the virus can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially if there is anal intercourse.
Papillomas can occur on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, underarms, and on the scalp. Sometimes it also forms on the soles of the feet and causes distinctive pain when walking.
This type of disease rarely degenerates into malignant and cancerous tumors, however, to prevent disease progression, the formations are surgically removed.
Consequences of HPV infection
Human papillomavirus in women can cause significant growths on genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which can cause discomfort, pain, and when injured, bleeding of varying severity can occur.
HPV of the eighteenth and sixteenth types are the most dangerous, because they cause the development of cancer. Cervical cancer, which is reliably associated with infection with the human papillomavirus, ranks second among various malignant diseases in women. The death rate from it was up to fifty percent.
Flat warts
This disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that practically do not rise above the surface of the skin.
Most often, the mucous membranes of the vagina and cervix are affected.
The cosmetic defects in them are much smaller in comparison to genital warts.
This type of pathology carries a higher risk of degeneration into cancer.
Dysplasia of the mucous membrane of the cervix
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the mucous membrane of the cervix which is called atypia. This gynecological condition is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive care.
The disease in most cases is asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination by an obstetrician. Dysplasia of several degrees of severity is distinguished: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity.
Cervical cancer
This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer ranks second among tumor pathologies in women and is associated with HPV type 16, 18 infection.
This disease may progress without clinical signs or manifest with nonspecific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, appearance of spotting from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.
Disease treatment methods
If there are signs of HPV infection, because of the dangerous consequences, do not self-medicate.
In order to choose the optimal treatment tactic, you need to consult a gynecologist, who, after a thorough examination and carrying out the necessary tests, will prescribe an adequate therapy.
To date, no drug has been found that can cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent further progression of the disease.
Main areas of therapy:
- treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia);
- antiviral therapy;
- use of funds aimed at increasing immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even small in size, it is recommended to remove them, because the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in the female body, which contributes to the further development of pathology.
Surgical treatment
The methods of removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:
- surgery;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method consisting of removing the growth with a scalpel, is the cheapest method of treatment, however, after that, cosmetic defects remain and the healing period is significantly extended. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of intervention is used in extreme cases.
During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, which freezes the pathological formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small sore forms under it, which heals in 10-14 days.
Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to the affected skin area. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough scars at the site of pathological formations.
During laser coagulation, the impact of the laser beam on the affected area causes drying of the neoplasm. A dry crust forms in its place, which after a while disappears without leaving a trace. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, a pronounced scar does not form, but the disadvantage is its high cost.
Chemical method is used when there are small formations. A special medicine is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area, which disappears after a few days.
Drug Use
Drug therapy for human papillomavirus infection includes the use of the following drug groups:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
To reduce the viral concentration in the female body and prevent further reproduction, long-term antiviral therapy is prescribed. Medicines used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of treatment should be determined only by the attending doctor.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of decreased levels of immunity to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the process of emergence of immune cells, and stimulate the production of antibodies aimed at fighting viruses.
Treatment of HPV infection in pregnant women
The presence of human papillomavirus infection in a woman's body does not affect the reproductive system and is not a contraindication to pregnancy. If exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, therapy for this condition is not carried out during this period, treatment is prescribed after delivery.
However, a woman should be monitored by a doctor during her pregnancy. With the development of severe discomfort, gentle methods of therapy are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications for vaginal delivery due to the development of HPV, a cesarean section is performed.
Eliminating HPV with folk remedies
At home, you can use traditional remedies such as herbs and infusions - for the treatment of papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of warts, papillomas and the resulting warts.
How to prepare potions and infusions for the treatment of human papillomavirus infection:
- Horse tail, nettle herb, rose hips, dandelion root, plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. At 3 st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, then let it infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Herb of oregano, yarrow, immortelle, St. carrotJohn, birch buds, nettle, calendula, coltsfoot, burnet root, chamomile blossoms, ropes, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sage are mixed in equal quantities. Pour 2 tbsp into the thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, let it infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flower, hop cone, motherwort are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tbsp into the thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water and let it infuse for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml 2 times a day.
For the treatment of local manifestations apply:
- Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or purchased from a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area should be steamed, and the healthy area near the affected area should be treated with a fat cream. Celandine should be applied carefully to the affected skin. This procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the pathological formations disappear.
- Garlic. Vegetables should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a thick consistency forms. Apply the resulting mixture to the formation area for 2-3 hours daily for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young canaries. They must be crushed with a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a glass jar of 0, 5 liters to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Let it soak for 20 days, then filter it through a cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After therapy and eliminating the external manifestations of HPV, a woman needs to visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.