Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV - human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes over 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, the infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and may be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
The symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can be: different types of warts, flat and genital warts, cervical dysplasia. However, the most dangerous manifestation of pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also evidence linking the development of cancer of the anus, external genitalia, vagina with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV 16, 18, 45, 56 type).
Transmission methods:
- Sexual contact.This is the main route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. The use of a condom during sexual intercourse significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, but does not provide a reliable guarantee that the infection will not occur, as the virus particles are very small in size.
- Household contact route.The causes of the infection are the use of joint products for intimate hygiene: towels, soap, use of public toilet, bath.
- Natural birth.HPV can be transmitted to children who become infected when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of this infection is the skin cells and mucous membranes of the patient. In this case, one may not know that one has become a carrier of the virus, as warts and papillomas can be microscopic in size and remain invisible during visual examination.
Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of a viral infection:
- onset of sexual activity at an early age;
- indiscriminate sex without the use of a condom;
- frequent abortions;
- the presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
- prolonged use of oral contraceptives;
- decreased immune response of the body;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- if the sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to frequent stressful situations;
- bad habits.
Through pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates the underlying layer of the epithelium, which ensures normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the cells of the basal layer carries information about the healthy structure of the cells. A viral particle embedded in DNA alters this information, leading to the formation of damaged cells, which in the process of growth and division cause symptoms of the disease.
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 look like cauliflower, grapes or rooster's comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially if there is anal contact.
Papillomas can appear on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. They sometimes form on the feet and cause characteristic pain when walking.
This type of disease rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor and cancer, but to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are removed surgically.
Consequences of HPV infection
Human papillomavirus in women can cause significant growths of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which will cause a feeling of discomfort, pain, and when injured, bleeding of varying severity may occur.
Eighteenth and sixteenth-century HPVs are the most dangerous because they lead to cancer. Cervical cancer, which is reliably linked to human papillomavirus infection, ranks second among various malignancies in women. Its mortality rate reaches fifty percent.Flat warts
The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that practically do not rise above the level of the skin.
The lining of the vagina and cervix are most commonly affected.
The cosmetic defect in them is much smaller than in genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of degeneration into cancer.
Dysplasia of the cervical mucosa
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the lining of the cervix, which is called atypia. This condition is considered precancerous in gynecology and requires monitoring and intensive treatment.
The disease in most cases is asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist. Dysplasia is distinguished by several degrees of severity: 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 infection types 16, 18.
The disease may be asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms: weakness, fatigue, weight loss, spotting of the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.Disease treatment methods
If there are signs of HPV infection, given the risk of sequelae, do not self-medicate.
To choose the optimal tactics of treatment, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, who after a thorough examination and performance of the necessary tests will prescribe adequate therapy.
So far, no drugs have been invented to 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;
- the use of means aimed at boosting immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even small in size, it is recommended to remove, as the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in a woman's body, which contributes to further developmentof pathology.
Surgical treatment
The methods for removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:
- surgical;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radiowave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method consists of removing the growths with a scalpel, is the cheapest method of treatment, but after it remains a pronounced cosmetic defect 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 warts disappear and a small sore forms under it, which heals in 10-14 days.
Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to areas of affected skin. 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 laser beams on the affected area leads to drying of the neoplasms. In their place a dry crust is formed, which after a while disappears without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radiowave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment there are no risks of bleeding, no pronounced scars are formed, but the disadvantage is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. 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 involves the use of the following groups of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of a reduced level of immunity in order to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the processes of immune cells and stimulate the production of antibodies aimed at combating the virus.
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 birth.
However, a woman should be monitored by a doctor throughout her pregnancy. With the development of severe discomfort, gentle methods of therapy are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications for vaginal birth due to the progression of HPV, a cesarean section is performed.
Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies
At home you can use such folk remedies as herbal decoctions and infusions - to treat papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of the resulting warts, papillomas and warts.
Ways to prepare decoctions and infusions for the treatment of human papillomavirus infection:
- Horsetail, nettle grass, rose hips, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. At 3 tbsp. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, then leave to infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Herb oregano, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettle, calendula, coltsfoot, burdock roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, celandine, linden, cumin, sage mixed in equalquantities. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, mother grass are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tablespoon into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water and leave to infuse for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml 2 times a day.
For the treatment of local manifestations are applied:
- Celery juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or bought from a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area should be steamed and healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with an oily cream. Celandine should be applied gently to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the pathological formation disappears.
- Garlic. The vegetables should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture on areas of formations for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young walnuts. They should be crushed using a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0, 5-liter glass jar so as to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days, then strain through cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After treatment and removal of external manifestations of HPV, the woman should visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further development of the disease.