Human papillomavirus (HPV) triggers the formation of papillomas, warts, condylomas and is a trigger factor in the development of cervical and laryngopharyngeal cancers. Less commonly, it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 -fold in the last 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to studies in the area, varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly cautious due to the fact that about one-third of all isolated viral genotypes trigger the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Entering the female body, HPV can show different activities, which depend on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen acts, 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 microorganisms can only be determined using molecular biology research methods.
- Inflammation associated with HPV As a rule, we talk about the cervix or vulvovaginitis on the background of HPV, which brings the patient to the gynecologist. In the consultation, she can find out: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation itself, but creates conditions for the activation of inflammatory processes.
- Condyloma located in the anogenital area and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract is a form of PVI (papillomavirus infection) course, where it becomes necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove the formation. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and recurrence.
- Cervical dysplasia. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. A severe form of the disease is precancerous - to avoid this situation, a proper understanding of how HPV is treated in women is more important than ever.
Classification helps physicians choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogenic strains are also divided into groups depending on the ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, moderate and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of the virus transmitted through sexual intercourse, 14 were classified as high and moderate 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 pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is temporary - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this is not the case, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of virus transmission is through contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 years are most vulnerable to viral infections. At first sexual intercourse, the risk of infection is about 60%. Viruses can also enter the body without direct contact. It is girls who are most at risk of getting HPV, and then with the consequences. This is due to the peculiarity of the structure of their genitals.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is temporary - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this is not the case, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immune deficiency and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortion;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routines;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long -term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent exchange of sexual partners also increases the risk of both infection with new strains of the virus and activation of existing infections. If immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cellular genome, which requires a high probability of getting cancer - a way to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has yet to be discovered. Therefore, it is very important to keep the viral activity under control and stimulate the immune defense properly.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman’s body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genitals and the skin of the anogenital area. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, viral activity can trigger the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, for which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent recurrences of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul -smelling whiteness.
On examination, the doctor notices benign formations on the skin, changes in the cervical epithelium, signs of inflammation. Cancer can appear only in the final stages of chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is being treated in women, it is necessary to understand the approaches that exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, HPV infection therapy is reduced to the following activities:
- prevention of the development of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
No drug leads to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is underway - the focus of physicians is focused on the need for combined treatment of various manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the virus code to self -destroy rather than spread. Reducing viral copy restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on the topic "How to treat HPV in women" is now detailed in current clinical guidelines.
When to see a doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive checkup by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to visit a doctor arises when any disturbing symptoms appear:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts in other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual discharge or foul odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In situations where unintentional sexual intercourse has taken place, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. She will run an examination, take a gynecological swab and scrape to detect HPV.
If the papilloma occurs in another part of the body, consultation with a dermatovenereologist is necessary. When a papilloma or condyloma grows in the anus, the intervention of a proctologist may be needed. This will help determine treatment tactics and what medications for papilloma should be prescribed to patients in a particular case for purchase at a pharmacy.
General therapy scheme
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is a person’s own stable immunity. The American 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 the self -suppression of the virus by innate immunity.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and aim to:
- concomitant disease therapy;
- elimination of external manifestations of the disease - medically and, if necessary, surgically;
- virus load reduction;
- stimulation of the body’s own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, a bad environment and comorbidities reduce the ability of a woman’s immune system to cope with the virus itself. There are drugs that, having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help the body's strength and lead to a decrease in viral load. These modern medicines include sprays with activated glycyrrhizic acid, derived from licorice root. It helps stop the virus from replicating early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The device has a special intravaginal nozzle for delivery of the drug to the cervix and its uniform distribution along the vaginal wall. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to a more aggressive form. If the virus causes changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieves inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore mucosal integrity;
- enhance local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the period of preparation for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, to reduce viral activity and prevent recurrence. This medication helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of secondary infections.
Removal of papillomas and warts
The benign formation caused by HPV is subject to removal, which can be done by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to neoplasms with cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high -frequency currents;
- laser removal - layer -by -layer exposure to laser irradiation until sores appear;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions applied to warts and destroying 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 off DNA and embeds its parts, thus deactivating further spread of the virus.
prevention
For primary prevention, it is recommended to use barrier contraceptives (condoms), which, although not absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You must be selective in choosing your sexual partner. If an accidental connection occurs, special sprays can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infections.
By far, HPV vaccination is the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization calendar. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was believed that after 20 years of vaccination did not make sense. But recent studies show that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective up to the age of 45-47 years.
If a viral infection occurs, the secondary preventive task is to maintain the patient’s good health, especially the state of his or her immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus -related diseases at an early stage.