Human papillomavirus in women - Symptoms and Treatment

If warts appear near the anus, it means that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is progressing in the body. It is a dangerous infection that can cause oncology or death in its active phase. Diagnosis and treatment should be made in a timely manner.

What is the human papillomavirus

HPV is a common genital infection that causes warts to appear in intimate areas through active cell division. The group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family includes 5 genera, 27 species, more than 170 strains. About 60% of the world's population is infected with HPV. In most cases, the virus has been in latent form in the body for years.

Period of incubation

Replication lasts for 3 months when the virus does not appear in any way. In some cases, the incubation period ranges from 16 days to 12 months, depending on the state of immunity. During this period, the infection multiplies, affecting healthy tissues. Immunity in young women eliminates HPV on its own in 80-90% of cases. In the remaining 10-20%, the infection intensifies and the disease becomes chronic.

Routes of infection

Infections of the human papillomavirus in women enter the body in the following ways:

  • Sexual. The main route of infection is through which the infection enters the body through anal, vaginal contact.
  • Relationship and household. Use of sick people's things, clothes, shoes, household items.
  • From mother to fetus. If the mother is infected, HPV passes through the birth canal to the baby.
  • Contact. Contact with the skin of an infected person.

Causes of HPV in women

Strong immunity kills the virus in 90% of cases and no treatment is needed. In the rest of the patients, it becomes active, relapses. The causes of HPV in women are as follows:

  • viral diseases;
  • early sexual activity;
  • HIV AIDS;
  • frequent exchange of sexual partners;
  • immunosuppressive therapy;
  • unprotected intercourse;
  • long-term medication;
  • childbirth, frequent abortions;
  • diabetes;
  • drug addiction, alcoholism in women;
  • chronic diseases of the urogenital sphere;
  • weak immunity after illness.

What is dangerous

Papillomavirus causes malignancies of the cervix, labia, vulva, and anus in women. Breast cancer can progress. To prevent uterine dysplasia and the further development of cancer, the DNA virus must be detected in time and treatment must be started. HPV during pregnancy is fraught with infection of the fetus. If a woman becomes ill while carrying a fetus, complex therapy begins at the age of 7 months, when the child’s organs are fully developed.

Oncogenic HPV types

Depending on the degree of cancer risk, the following types of HPV are differentiated in women:

  • Not oncogenic. HPV types 1, 2, 4, 5. Pathogenic changes in the cells are ruled out and no cancer develops.
  • Low oncogene. HPv types 3, 6, 11, 13, 32, 34, 40-44, 51, 61, 72, 73 are notcause oncology with persistent immunity. The development of malignancies is possible due to provocative factors.
  • Moderate oncogene. HPV types 52, 53, 56, 58 and 30, 35, 45. Cancer is caused by provocative factors.
  • Highly oncogenic. Hpv types are 50, 59, 68, 64, 70, and 16, 18, 31, 33, 39. The likelihood of developing oncology is high.

HPV 16 and 18 types

HPV type 16 is highly oncogenic. The microbe penetrates the cells of the body, inhibiting the anti-tumor defense. Rough, gray spots appear on the genitals in the area of the anus. Over time, warts, papillomas and warts develop. They are localized not only on the genitals but also on the neck, eyelids, thighs and armpits.

HPV type 18 is also incorporated into the DNA of cells, reducing the activity of the immune system, which creates favorable conditions for benign tumors prone to malignancies. Cervical cancer can develop. HPV type 18 also causes papillomas, genital warts, and warts.

Symptoms of infection

Signs of infection depend on what strain the person has been given. At first, the HPV carrier does not feel uncomfortable. The virus is in a latent (asymptomatic) form. The following signs of HPV appear as a result of provocative factors:

  • pain in the external genitals;
  • burning sensation, vaginal discharge;
  • skin neoplasms;
  • pain during intercourse.

Papillomas and condylomas

Skin growth is the first sign of HPV. Genital warts appear to be infected with 6, 11 types of virus. The growths are flesh-colored, reminiscent of cauliflower on the outside. Such neoplasms are often prone to malignancies, localized in the anus, in the external genitals, rarely near the oral cavity. The rash is multiple and can form large foci. The main danger is the risk of injury to such an accumulation on a thin leg.

Papillomas are caused by HPV type 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 activity. It is localized on the lips, eyelids, chest, neck, armpits and mouth. The dense-consistency growths on the legs are colored (pink, brown, pale). In women, vestibular papillomatosis may worsen. The disease is incurable. With strong immunity, such increases disappear without treatment, and the risk of malignancy is minimal.

Warts

The following types of warts can be distinguished in women:

  • Ordinary (vulgar). It is localized on the face, head, fingers, hands. Plantar warts appear on the soles of the feet caused by HPV type 1, 2.
  • Yarn-like. The nodules on the legs are located in the groin, under the armpits and mammary glands, on the genitals.
  • Flat (youthful). It is localized in the armpits, neck, arms, face, and chest. They appear in adolescence and disappear on their own. It is caused by a virus of type 3, 5.

Diagnostics

In order to accelerate the recovery of girls and women, the type of virus must be examined and correctly determined. In case of dangerous conditions, a woman is registered in the venereal disease department. Diagnostics is complex and includes the following methods:

  • Instrumental examination by a gynecologist. The doctor detects the neoplasms of the skin, determining their size and localization.
  • Colposcopy. A colposcope is used to examine the vagina, cervix and pubic body. Use Lugol's solution, acetic acid, for the accuracy of the test.
  • Biopsy. To confirm or rule out oncology, the biomaterial is scraped from the cervix.
  • PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Determines the presence of human papillomavirus DNA.
  • ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). This is done to detect specific antibodies in the blood in response to the virus.

makes pulp

This method is used in gynecology. Scratches are performed from the cervix to determine epithelial lesions of the epithelium. The substance is taken from the cervix, the mucous membranes of the inside of the cervix and the vaginal fornix. They are stained, dried and examined under a microscope. The aim of the study is to identify atypical and cancerous cells.

The stages in the evaluation of the results are as follows:

  • lack of microbial flora;
  • the initial stage of atypical cells;
  • abnormal structure of seeds;
  • cells with irregular nuclei, cytoplasms, chromosomes;
  • high concentration of malignant cells.

PCR diagnostics

Scraping is performed from the vagina to determine the DNA regions characteristic of papillomavirus. In the case of a positive result, the concentration of antigen per 100 cells is as follows:

  • Up to Lg 3 - HPV concentration is low.
  • Lg 3-5 is a large amount of papillomavirus.
  • From Lg 5 - high HPV concentration.

Digene test

It is a hybrid capture method that detects the DNA regions of the papillomavirus. The screening is characterized by high sensitivity (more than 96%) and detects HPV and its predisposition to oncology at an early stage. The Digene test determines the concentration of the virus, often in combination with a cytological test. The Digene test requires no preparation and is used worldwide for fast results.

Treatment of papillomavirus in women

HPV complex therapy includes the following areas:

  • excision of growths on the skin;
  • taking antiviral drugs;
  • immunostimulatory treatment course.

Condylomas and papillomas can be easily damaged depending on their position on the body. In addition, neoplasms may grow. Such increases are best removed with surgery. Otherwise, there is an increased risk that the skin lesions will soon become cancerous.

Medicine

Taking medicines is needed to reduce the activity of the virus and strengthen the immune system. The diagnosis is curable. List of drugs for the treatment of HPV complex:

  • Local cauterizers. These are gels, ointments, solutions with organic acids, antiviral components in the preparation. This way, you can remove small growths on your skin, stopping them from growing.
  • Antiviral. The composition of the medicines contains an antiviral component, and when it enters the body, antibodies are formed against the infection.
  • Immunomodulators. They inhibit the growth of papillomavirus, stop the growth of skin growth, increase the resistance of the pathogenic flora, strengthen the immune system.

Surgical

Stopping the growth of neoplasms on the skin of a viral disease is performed using one of the recommended surgical techniques:

  • Laser therapy. Laser cauterization of growths. The method is allowed during pregnancy, is characterized by good tolerance and rapid rehabilitation.
  • Cryodestruction. The warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen and then disappear painlessly. After the procedure, the scars do not remain on the body.
  • Diathermocoagulation. The growths on the skin are removed with an electric scalpel. After the procedure, scars and scars remain on the body.
  • Radio wave treatment. The method is painless, removes medium-sized growths, leaves no scars, and has minimal medical contraindications.
  • Surgical method. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia after a preliminary examination. Indications - extensive soft tissue lesions, suspicion of oncology. Disadvantage of scars.

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine methods are used in the complex treatment system to remove the manifestations of papillomavirus. It is impossible to cure HPV from the inside in this way, but tumors on the skin are indeed possible without consequences. To remove genital warts, warts and papillomas, use the following health recipes:

  • Peel off the fresh stems of celandine, rinse, rub the growth on the skin. Perform the procedure 1 time a day until the wart dries out and goes away on its own.
  • Lubricate the warts with castor oil 3-4 times a day. Perform the procedure until the buildup disappears.
  • Squeeze the garlic juice, lubricate the lesions of the pathology. Perform the procedure 2-3 times / day. Over time, the wart disappears.
  • Cut the rowan in half. Apply to the wart, fix it with plaster. Perform the procedure before bedtime, positive dynamics is noticeable after 8 days. The duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
  • Mix lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Stir, apply to external growth 2-3 times a day until they fall off.
folk remedies for HPV in women

Instead of tea, healing decoctions and infusions can be incorporated into the complex treatment system to quickly kill the virus and strengthen the immune system. Folk remedies with immunostimulatory properties include:

  • Conifer infusion. Pour 1 tbsp. l. chopped needles needles 1 cup boiling water. Simmer over low heat for a quarter of an hour. Cool, strain, take the soup before a meal (honey can be added).
  • Candy onions. Cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. onion peel in a ratio of 1: 10. Stick to broth, strain. Take 1 teaspoon orally. 5-6 times / day before meals (honey can also be added).

Prophylaxis

It is difficult to choose the right drug and destroy the papillomavirus forever. In addition, antiviral therapy has a number of side effects. Preventive measures must be taken in good time. The medical recommendations are as follows:

  • Follow personal hygiene rules.
  • Have an HPV test twice a year.
  • Remove promiscuous sex.
  • Use barrier-free contraception.
  • Strengthening the immune system (especially during periods of vitamin deficiency).
  • Monitor your medication intake.
  • Lead an active lifestyle, play sports.

Prevention of HPV in women includes vaccination. Stationary vaccination can only protect against 4 types of papillomavirus - 16 and 18, 6 and 11.