Papillomavirus is a group of viruses, in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is transmitted only from person to person. Many people and doctors are faced with the problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus can drive tumor processes, it is found on the skin, in the esophagus, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, conjunctiva and even in the rectum.
Causes of appearance and ways of infection
The human papilloma virus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when it touches, it kisses;
- through scrapes or cuts when visiting the swimming pool, bathhouse, public restroom, or gym;
- when shaving or waxing.
Statistics say that even with a single partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population is sick and is a carrier of HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted from patients who have warts on the body (it is this virus that causes them to appear) in the form of pointed or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible infection of newborns 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 development of the virus.
The latency period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At this time, 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 for many condylomas or papillomas to grow rapidly at once, similar to kale.
If the infection occurred sexually, then 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 couples indulge in oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, the rectum.
Men rarely get the disease, although they can be carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is most often found in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are found, see a doctor urgently, since with some types of viruses, neoplasms are reborn and cause cancer.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 types of the virus have been discovered. 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 verified the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the site of the skin lesions and the varieties:
- plant;
- "butcher's warts";
- Ordinary;
- Department.
On the genitals:
- Genital warts;
- flat, causing changes in the surface of the membrane of the cervix and causing oncology;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genital organs and anus, both in women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory tract papillomas;
- 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 form of cones.
- Plantar - interferes with walking, looks at first like shiny growths, then grows into a wart with a rim at the base. Growing up, they form a bunch of similar formations.
- Flat - the color differs little from the skin, but causes itching, redness and discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They appear most often in people over 50 years of age. At first, they look like yellowish bumps that grow and form outgrowths up to 6 mm.
When warts appear on 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 appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or irregular, raised warts, you should definitely see 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 investigated.
The doctor conducts an analysis for the human papillomavirus, scraping the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with damage to the cervix, examining the mucosa under high magnification) or the skin. The sample is examined under a microscope to detect 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:
- without changes;
- changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are minor changes in the structure of the cells, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignant changes were 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 appearance of malignant processes in the tissue.
HPV has a high oncogenic risk. A high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of examination 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 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 ("cautery" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators in 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 found on the skin, then only papillomas with a small area of skin around them are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Popular methods and recipes.
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped fight diseases. The 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 pomace;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Proven Recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, thread, freeze and apply ice chips 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 of these procedures are enough.
- Kerosene and nuts. Grind green 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 tea,
- rosehip tea.
Herb Collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using drugs that are sold in pharmacies:
- Special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not come into contact with healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growths will disappear without traces.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. It takes only 3 hours. But it can cause unpleasant or painful sensations when torn off.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and rub 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 need to 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.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not fully protect against HPV infection, since it does not cover the entire skin surface of contact, but it still partially helps prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, baths, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls 11-12 years old are vaccinated. The results of vaccination showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.
Have you found a suspicious wart or growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and disposal methods and take action!