If warts appear near the anus, it means that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is progressing in the body. A dangerous infection, which in the active phase can cause oncology, death. Diagnosis and treatment must be timely.
What is Human Papillomavirus
HPV is a common genital infection which, through active cell division, causes the appearance of warts in intimate areas. The group of viruses of the papillomavirus family includes 5 genera, 27 species, more than 170 strains. HPV is infected by about 60% of the world's population. In most cases, the virus has remained in the body in latent form for many years.
Incubation period
Replication lasts 3 months, when the virus does not manifest itself in any way. In some cases, the incubation period varies from 16 days to 12 months, depending on the state of immunity. During this period, the infection multiplies, affects healthy tissues. Young women's immunity eliminates HPV by itself in 80-90% of cases. In the remaining 10-20%, the infection intensifies, the disease becomes chronic.
Routes of infection
Human papillomavirus infection in women enters the body in the following ways:
- Sexual. The main route of infection, in which the infection enters the body through anal and vaginal contact.
- Contact and family. The use of things, clothes, shoes, household items of a sick person.
- From mother to fetus. HPV is passed on to the baby as it moves through the birth canal if the mother is infected.
- Contact. Contact with the skin of an infected person.
Causes of HPV in Women
Strong immunity destroys the virus in 90% of cases and no treatment is required. In the rest of the patients, it becomes active, relapses. The causes of HPV in women are:
- viral diseases;
- early sexual activity;
- HIV-AIDS;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- immunosuppressive therapy;
- unprotected relationships;
- long-term medications;
- childbirth, frequent abortions;
- diabetes;
- drug addiction, alcoholism in women;
- chronic diseases of the genitourinary sphere;
- weak immunity after the disease.
What is dangerous?
Papillomavirus in women causes malignant tumors of the cervix, lips, vulva and anus. Breast cancer can progress. To exclude uterine dysplasia and further development of cancer, it is necessary to determine the DNA virus in time and begin treatment. HPV during pregnancy is fraught with infection of the fetus. If a woman becomes ill while carrying a fetus, complex therapy begins at the age of 7 months, when the baby's organs are fully formed.
Oncogenic HPV Types
Depending on the degree of cancer risk, the following types of HPV are distinguished in women:
- Not oncogenic. HPV types 1, 2, 4, 5. Pathogenic changes in cells are excluded, cancer does not develop.
- Low oncogenicity. HPV types 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 61, 72, 73 do not cause oncology with persistent immunity. Under the influence of provoking factors, the development of a malignant tumor is possible.
- Average oncogenic. HPV types 52, 53, 56, 58 and 30, 35, 45. Under the influence of provoking factors, cancer develops.
- Highly oncogenic. HPV types 50, 59, 68, 64, 70 and 16, 18, 31, 33, 39. The likelihood of developing oncology is high.
HPV types 16 and 18
HPV type 16 is highly oncogenic. The microbe invades the cells of the body, blocks the anticancer defense. In the area of the genitals, anus, gray spots appear with a rough surface. Over time warts, papillomas and warts form. They are localized not only on the genitals, but also on the neck, eyelids, thighs and armpits.
HPV type 18 also integrates into the DNA of cells, reduces the activity of the immune system, which creates favorable conditions for benign tumors prone to malignancy. Cervical cancer can develop. HPV type 18 also causes papillomas, genital warts, and warts.
Symptoms of infection
The signs of infection depend on the strains the person has contracted. At first, the HPV carrier feels no discomfort. The virus is in a latent (asymptomatic) form. Under the influence of provoking factors, the following signs of HPV appear:
- pain in the external genitalia;
- burning sensation, vaginal discharge;
- skin neoplasms;
- pain during intercourse.
Papillomas and warts
Skin growths are the first sign of HPV. Genital warts appear when infected with viruses of 6, 11 types. The growths are flesh-colored, which outwardly resemble cauliflower. Such neoplasms are often prone to malignancy, localized in the anus, external genitalia, rarely near the oral cavity. Rashes are multiple, they can merge into large foci. The main danger is the risk of injury to such an accumulation on a thin leg.
Papillomas are caused by the activity of HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4, 10. Localized on the lips, eyelids, chest, neck, armpits and mouth. Thick consistency growths on the leg vary in color (pink, brown, pale). In women, vestibular papillomatosis can get worse. The disease cannot be cured. With strong immunity, such growths disappear without treatment, the risk of malignancy is minimal.
warts
In women, the following types of warts are distinguished:
- Ordinary (vulgar). Localized on the face, head, fingers, hands. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet, caused by HPV type 1, 2.
- Filamentous. Lumps on the leg are found in the groin, in the armpits and mammary glands, on the genitals.
- Plate (young). Localized in the armpits, neck, arms, face and chest. They appear in adolescence, disappear on their own as they grow up. Caused by a type 3 virus, 5.
Diagnostics
To speed up the recovery of girls and women, it is necessary to be examined and correctly determine the type of virus. In case of dangerous conditions, a woman is registered in a STD department. Diagnostics is complex, it includes the following methods:
- Instrumental examination by a gynecologist. The doctor detects skin neoplasms, determines their size and location.
- colposcopy. A colposcope is used to examine the vagina, cervix, and vulva. For the accuracy of the study, use Lugol's solution, acetic acid.
- Biopsy. Scraping of the biomaterial from the cervix is done to confirm or rule out oncology.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Determines the presence of human papillomavirus DNA.
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). It is carried out to detect specific antibodies in the blood in response to the effect of the virus.
PAP test
This method is used in gynecology. To determine cancerous changes in the epithelium, a scraping from the cervix is performed. The material is taken from the cervical canal, from the mucosa of the inner side of the cervix and from the vaginal fornix. It is stained, dried and then examined under a microscope. The purpose of the test is to identify atypical and cancerous cells.
The steps for evaluating the results are as follows:
- lack of microbial flora;
- the initial stage of atypical cells;
- abnormal structure of the nuclei;
- cells with an irregular nucleus, cytoplasm, chromosomes;
- high concentration of malignant cells.
PCR diagnostics
To determine the DNA regions characteristic of the papillomavirus, a scraping from the vagina is performed. With a positive result, the antigen concentration per 100 cells is as follows:
- Lg up to 3 - The HPV concentration is low.
- Lg 3-5 is a large amount of papillomavirus.
- Lg from 5 - high concentration of HPV.
Digene test
This is a hybrid capture method that detects regions of the papillomavirus DNA. The screening test is characterized by high sensitivity (more than 96%), detects HPV at an early stage and a tendency to oncology. The Digene test determines the concentration of the virus, often combined with a cytology study. The Digene test requires no preparation and is used worldwide for fast results.
Treatment of papillomavirus in women
Complex HPV therapy includes the following areas:
- excision of growths on the skin;
- taking antiviral drugs;
- course of immunostimulating treatment.
Condylomas and papillomas, depending on their location on the body, are easy to injure. Also, neoplasms can grow. Such growths are best removed by surgery. Otherwise, the risk of skin lesions quickly becoming cancerous increases.
Drug
Taking drugs is necessary to reduce the activity of the virus, to strengthen the immune system. The diagnosis is treatable. List of drugs for the complex treatment of HPV:
- Local cauterizers. These are gels, ointments, solutions with organic acids, antiviral components in the composition. In this way, you can remove small growths on the skin, stop its growth.
- Antiviral. The composition of medicines contains an antiviral component, when it enters the body, antibodies to infection are produced.
- Immunomodulators. They inhibit the reproduction of papillomavirus, stop the growth of skin growths, increase resistance to pathogenic flora, strengthen the immune system.
Surgical
To stop the growth of neoplasms on the skin with a viral disease, one of the proposed surgical techniques is performed:
- Laser therapy. Cauterization of growths with a laser. The method is allowed during pregnancy, it is characterized by good tolerance, quick rehabilitation.
- Cryodestruction. Warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen, after which they disappear painlessly. After the procedure, the scars do not remain on the body.
- Diathermocoagulation. Growths on the skin are removed with an electric scalpel, electric current. After the procedure, scars and scars remain on the body.
- Radio wave treatment. The method is painless, removes medium-sized growths, leaves no scars and has a minimum of medical contraindications.
- Surgical method. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia after a preliminary examination. Indications: extensive soft tissue lesions, suspicion of oncology. The downside is the scars.
Folk remedies
To remove the manifestations of the papillomavirus in the complex treatment scheme, methods of alternative medicine are used. It is impossible to cure HPV from the inside in this way, but it is really possible to get rid of neoplasms on the skin without consequences. To remove genital warts, warts and papillomas, use the following healthy recipes:
- Peel off a fresh stalk of celandine, rinse, rub the growth into the skin. Perform the procedure 1 time per day until the wart dries up and falls off on its own.
- Lubricate the warts with castor oil 3-4 times a day. Perform the procedure until the buildup disappears.
- Squeeze the juice of garlic, lubricate the lesions of the pathology. Perform the procedure 2-3 times a day. Over time, the wart will disappear.
- Cut the rowan berry in half. Apply on the wart, fix with plaster. Perform the procedure before going to bed, the positive dynamics are evident after 8 days. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
- Combine lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Mix, apply to external growths 2-3 times a day, until they fall out.
To quickly destroy the virus and strengthen the immune system, healing decoctions and infusions can be included in the complex treatment scheme instead of tea. Folk remedies with immunostimulating properties are as follows:
- Infusion of conifers. Pour 1 tbsp. L. chopped needles needles 1 cup boiling water. Cook over medium heat for a quarter of an hour. Cool, strain, take broth before meals (honey can be added).
- Sugar onions. Cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. onion peel in a ratio of 1: 10. Insist broth, strain. Take 1 tsp orally. 5-6 times a day before meals (honey can be added).
Prophylaxis
It is difficult to choose the right medicine and destroy the papillomavirus forever. Additionally, antiviral therapy has a number of side effects. It is necessary to take care of preventive measures in time. Medical recommendations are as follows:
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene.
- Get tested for HPV twice a year.
- Eliminate promiscuous sex.
- Use a barrier contraceptive.
- Strengthen the immune system (especially during the period of seasonal vitamin deficiency).
- Monitor your medication intake.
- Lead an active lifestyle, play sports.
Prevention of HPV in women includes vaccination. Stationary vaccination can only protect against 4 types of papillomaviruses: 16 and 18, 6 and 11.