Papillomavirus is a group of viruses, in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is only transmitted 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 stimulate tumor processes, is found on the skin, esophagus, mucous membranes of the mouth, bronchi, conjunctiva and even in the rectum.
Causes of onset and mode of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- scratches or cuts when visiting the swimming pool, bathhouse, public baths or gym;
- when shaving or epilating.
Statistics say that even with a partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is sick and a carrier of HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted by patients who have warts on their bodies (it is this virus that makes them appear) in the form of pointed or flat irregular growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of newborns from the mother during childbirth. In children, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or on the genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latency period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At present, there are no visible signs of the virus.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible that many warts or papillomas grow rapidly at the same time, similar in shape to sea kale.
If the infection has occurred sexually, the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:
- in the region of the lips;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are taken away from oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex: the anus, the rectum.
Men rarely suffer from the disease, although they may be carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is most often found in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, consult a doctor urgently, as with some types of viruses, neoplasms are reborn, causing cancer.
Classification and types
About 600 types of viruses have been discovered to date. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years of infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans, causing neoplasms, both benign and oncological.
In the 80s of the last century, doctors proved the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the location of the skin lesions and the varieties:
- footbed;
- "butcher's warts";
- ordinary;
- dish.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, causing changes in the surface of the cervix membrane and causing oncology;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genital organs and anus, in both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory tract papillomas;
- tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Variety:
- 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 form of cones.
- Plantar: Interfere with walking, look at first as shiny growths, then grow to become a wart with a border at the base. Growing up, they form a whole group of similar formations.
- Flat - the color differs little from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They appear most often in people over the age of 50. At first they look like yellowish bumps, growing, forming outgrowths up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in visible areas, a 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 women neglect visits to the gynecologist.
Virus diagnosis
If suspicious growths in the form of papillae (warts) or irregular and irregular warts appear on the skin or mucous membranes, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts don't cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but it's best to remove them to reduce the chance of infecting those around you.
Due to the possibility of cancer development, such neoplasms are being studied.
The doctor performs an analysis for human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examining the mucosa with a strong magnification) or from the skin. The sample is examined under a microscope to check for changes in the structure of the tissue (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes based on the results of a cytological study:
- no changes;
- changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are small changes in the structure of cells, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes were found;
- there are many cells with signs of cancer.
Histological examination provides a more detailed picture of changes in the structure of the tissue.
Clinics use special HPV tests that allow for more accurate analysis results. A positive test result indicates the presence of malignant processes in the tissue.
HPV is of high oncogenic risk. A high risk of cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which is found in 70% of the cases examined.
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 decrease in immunity caused by the disease, first of all doctors prescribe drugs that increase it:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
But the main means of treatment is the mandatory removal of neoplasms by the methods of modern cosmetology:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into the growths.
In each case of the disease, the types of treatment should be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, no pathological processes are detected in the skin, only papillomas with a small area of surrounding skin are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? Traditional medicine has always helped fight disease. Experience in the treatment of HPV is also quite extensive.
Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate warts:
- celandine juice;
- sour apple juice and their pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, twine, freeze it and apply pieces of ice 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 of these procedures are sufficient.
- Kerosene and nuts. Grind unripe walnuts in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part of walnuts - 2 parts of kerosene, the mixture must be infused for three weeks. Apply on warts 2 times a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herbal collections:
- roots of dandelion, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, hypericum, viola tricolor, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not go to healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growths will disappear, leaving no traces.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. It only takes 3 hours. But it can cause unpleasant or painful sensations when torn.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and smear the 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 not be possible to get rid of 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 avoid becoming infected.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not fully protect against HPV infection, as it does not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but still helps in part to avoid the spread of the infection.
- Avoid visiting bathrooms, swimming pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls between the ages of 11 and 12 are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction of this disease in women who received the drug.
Have you found a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all the advice. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Discover the methods of treatment and removal and take action!