Human papillomavirus (HPV) provokes the formation of papillomas, warts, warts and is a key factor in the development of cancer of the cervix and laryngopharynx. Less often it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times in the last 10 years. According to studies in the regions, the prevalence of HPV infection in Bulgaria varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly wary of the fact that about one-third of all isolated viral genotypes provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Once in a woman's body, HPV can have different activities, depending on the state of the immune system. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. The virus persists in the body but does not cause pathological changes in the cells. No symptoms - the presence of a microorganism can be determined only with the help of molecular biological methods of research.
- HPV-associated inflammation As a rule, we talk about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis on the background of HPV, which take the patient to a gynecologist. In a consultation, she can find out: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation in itself, but creates conditions for activating the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma, located in the anogenital area and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract, is a form of PVI (papillomavirus infection), which requires the use of modern surgical techniques to remove tumors. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radiowave coagulation, comprehensive treatment is needed to prevent complications and recurrences.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. It may be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, a proper understanding of how to treat HPV in women is more important than ever.
The classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogenic strains are also divided into groups according to their ability to cause cancer: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of the virus transmitted through sexual contact, 14 are classified as high and medium oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - 56, - 58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection in most cases is transient - disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertically (from mother to fetus at birth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, linen).
Young people aged 13-30 are most susceptible to the virus. During the first sexual intercourse, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can enter the body even in the absence of direct sexual intercourse. It is girls who are most at risk of HPV, and then the consequences of it. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genitals.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection in most cases is transient - disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiency and beriberi;
- common acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortions;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily life;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent changes of sexual partners also increase the risk of both infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus integrates into the cellular genome, leading to a high probability of cancer - how to treat HPV in women at this stage of medical science has not yet been discovered. That is why it is so important to keep the activity of the virus under control and to stimulate the immune system properly.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most obvious sign of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genitals and skin of the anogenital area. They do not cause pain and usually go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, due to which the woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent recurrences of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor.
On examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can occur only in the later stages of chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for the human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, therapy for HPV infection is limited to the following activities:
- preventing the progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no drugs that can lead to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area continues - the focus of doctors is on the need for combined treatment of various manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering "rewriting" the virus code to self-destruct instead of spreading it. Reducing viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on "How to treat HPV in women" is currently described in detail in these clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to see a doctor?
Women should have a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to see a doctor arises when any anxious symptoms appear:
- genital neoplasms;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- lower abdominal pain;
- unusual discharge or bad odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where accidental sexual intercourse has occurred, a visit to a gynecologist is recommended. He will perform an examination, take a gynecological smear and scrape to detect HPV.
If papillomas appear in other parts of the body, a dermatovenerologist should be consulted. When papillomas or warts grow in the anus, a proctologist may be needed. This will help determine the tactics of treatment and what drugs for papilloma should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case for purchase at the pharmacy.
General treatment regimen
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is a stable immunity of the person himself. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop due to self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
Treatment of HPV infection should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- therapy of concomitant diseases;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medication and, if necessary, surgery;
- reduction of viral load;
- stimulating the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and comorbidities reduce a woman's immune system's ability to cope with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help the body's strength and reduce the viral load. These modern medicines include a spray with activated glycyrrhizinic acid, which is obtained from licorice root. It helps stop the virus from reproducing early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The instrument has a special intravaginal nozzle to deliver the drug to the cervix and distribute it evenly along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the onset of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus causes changes in the genital area and the epithelium of the cervix, the spray helps:
- relieving inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restoring the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also shown in the period of preparation for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent recurrence. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevents the attachment of secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign lesions caused by HPV can be removed, which can be done by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure of the neoplasm to cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high frequency current;
- laser removal - exposure layer by layer of laser radiation until the appearance of scabs;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to warts and destroy them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of destruction, it is prescribed selectively - if it is impossible to use other methods.
Among the new developments in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR / Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts through DNA and incorporates parts of it, thus inactivating the further spread of the virus.
Prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraception (condoms) is recommended, which, although not an absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You need to be selective in your choice of sexual partners. If an accidental connection occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, HPV vaccination is the most effective. Protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. It used to be thought that vaccination would not make sense after 20 years. But recent studies show that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective by the age of 45-47.
If a viral infection does occur, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the patient's good health, in particular the well-being of his immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-related diseases in the early stages.