Papillomaviruses are a group of viruses, of which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is sent only 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 the tumor process, 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 and mode of infection
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease spread by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- through scratches or cuts while visiting a pool, bathhouse, public restroom or gym;
- when shaving or epilation.
Statistics say that even with one partner, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population are sick and carriers of HPV. The virus is actively transmitted from patients who have warts on their body (this virus is what causes them to appear) in the form of uneven or pointed tumors on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
The possibility of infection of the newborn from the mother during childbirth. In infants, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the esophagus or on the genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. Currently, no signs of the virus are visible.
The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one by one, but it is also possible that many condylomas or papillomas grow rapidly at once, similar in shape to sea spinach.
If the infection occurs sexually, then the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:
- in the labia area;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When a couple is carried away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - anal, rectum.
Men rarely get the disease, although they can be carriers of it. When examining a partner, the virus is more often found in women.
Attention!If a suspicious tumor is found, see a doctor immediately, as some types of viruses, neoplasms are reborn, causing cancer.
Classification and type
To date, about 600 types of viruses have been discovered. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years after infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are harmful to humans, causing neoplasms, both benign and oncological.
In the 80s of last century, doctors proved a link between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following virus types are classified according to lesion site and skin variety:
- plantar;
- "flesh warts";
- ordinary;
- rata.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, provoking changes in the surface of the cervical membrane and causing oncology;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genitals and anus, both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory tract papilloma;
- tumors of the neck, head, lungs.
Variety:
- Papillomas easily appear on the back of the palms, and in children they can grow above the knee. They look like rough growths in the shape of a cone.
- Plantar - interferes with walking, see at the beginning as a shiny growth, then grows into a wart with a rim at the base. Growing up, they formed a group of similar formations.
- Flat - the color differs slightly from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They appear more often in people over the age of 50. At first, they look like yellowish lumps, growing, forming growths up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in a visible area, the 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 the woman neglects a visit to the gynecologist.
Virus diagnosis
If a suspicious tumor appears on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or uneven and wavy warts, you should definitely see a doctor. Warts don’t cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but it’s best to get rid of them to reduce the chances of infecting people around you.
Due to the possible development of cancer, the neoplasm is being investigated.
Doctors take analysis for human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examining the mucosa under strong enlargement) or skin. Samples are examined under a microscope for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia), as well as to determine the type of virus.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of cytological studies:
- no change;
- changes caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are small changes in cell structure, 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 tissue structure.
The clinic uses a special HPV - a test that allows you to get more accurate analytical results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of a malignant process in the tissue.
HPV is at high oncogenic risk. The high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of screening 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 this disease, first of all, doctors prescribe drugs that enhance it:
- interferon;
- interferonogen.
But the main method of treatment is the mandatory removal of neoplasms with modern cosmetological methods:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into growth.
In each case of the disease, the type of treatment should be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, a pathological process in the skin is not found, then only a papilloma with a small area of skin around it is removed. If malignant cells are detected, surgery can capture significant areas, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has 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, rope, freeze and apply ice cubes 3-4 times a day.
- Smear with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
- Kerosene and walnuts. Grind uncooked beans in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part beans - 2 parts kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply on warts 2 times a day.
To boost immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- the rosehip.
Herbal collection:
- dandelion root, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, king banana;
- wormwood, St. John's wort. John, violet three colors, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), king banana.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papilloma at home using medicines sold in pharmacies:
- A special composition that freezes warts. It must be used with care so that it does not come into contact with healthy skin. After the procedure, about a week, the tumor will disappear, leaving no trace.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. Takes only 3 hours. But it can cause an unpleasant or painful sensation when pulled out.
- Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and apply the papilloma with this composition.
Infection prevention
However, do not forget about the nature of the virus the appearance of unpleasant growths. Removing the papilloma from the surface of the skin, it is impossible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should see a specialist to prevent the degeneration of the neoplasm into cancer. It is still not possible to completely cure HPV, but you can take steps to avoid getting infected.
For prevention you need to:
- use condoms for casual sex. Condoms do not completely protect against HPV infection, as they do not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but still partially help to prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, toilets, even with the smallest cuts on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls aged 11-12 years are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in the disease in women receiving the drug.
Do you find warts or suspicious growths on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and removal methods and take action!