The human papillomavirus is one of the most common and is found in 90% of the world's population. Most of its carriers don’t even know about its presence and can’t find any suspicious signs in themselves. That's why it's spread.
What are papillomas?
Papilloma is a benign pathological formation of viral etiology. The appearance of papillomas is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is usually manifested in the skin in the form of cosmetic defects - warts and genital warts - it can lead to respiratory failure in the larynx and bleeding and ulceration in the mucous membranes of the internal organs. There are 27 types of HPV - some of which are safe for health, others can develop into malignancies and lead to cancer.
Particular attention should be paid to women during identification, as there is a high risk of developing cervix. Pregnant women are at risk of becoming pregnant during pregnancy.
HPV is characterized by a latent (latent) course, and while a person has strong immunity, the virus does not manifest in any way (the incubation period lasts from 2 weeks to several years). Due to a number of factors, the virus is activated, multiplied, and clinically manifested.
Cause of papillomavirus infection
Types of HPV infection:
- unprotected sex
- comes into contact with the infected skin and mucous membranes
- use of the wearer's personal belongings
- in high humidity and mass public places (swimming pool, sauna, beaches)
The most common way to get infected with the virus is through sexual transmission, and household routes are rarely recorded because the virus lives in the environment for a short time.
The following can help activate the virus:
- weakened immunity
- infectious diseases
- upsets the gastrointestinal tract
- exacerbation of chronic diseases
- pregnancy
- long - term use of many drugs (antibiotics, anticoagulants, etc. )
- smoking, alcohol consumption
- severe stress
HPV penetration is facilitated by microtrauma, cracks, abrasions, and other skin lesions.
Symptoms of papilloma
Symptoms depend on the site of formation and the type of HPV. The external manifestation of the first "bell" associated with the presence of the virus is in the form of genital warts (usually appearing in intimate places) and warts (often on the face, neck, limbs).
Less commonly, papillomas are accompanied by symptoms such as:
- peeling, itching, redness (skin)
- discomfort while walking (genitals)
- secretions from the nipple (breast ducts)
- difficulty breathing (throat)
- painful bowel movements (bowel)
Diagnosis of papillomas
Diagnosis is made by a venereologist, dermatologist, immunologist, or gynecologist / urologist.
- Clinical examination - visual examination and discussion with the patient.
- Laboratory and instrumental tests are required to get a complete picture of the disease:
- general and biochemical blood test
- PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) - determines the type and amount of virus in the body.
If the only treatment is to remove papillomas, biopsy of the substance will be performed in parallel to perform a cytological examination and determine the risk of oncology.
Treatment methods
There are no drugs and methods that can completely remove HPV from the human body. The effects only apply to the consequences of the virus. General antiviral therapy is performed for highly oncogenic viruses localized in the region of the anogenetic tract. Patients with previously diagnosed papilloma are advised to systematically test and use barrier contraception to avoid infecting their partner with the virus.
Removal of papillomas is recommended because the virus in the epithelial cells causes proliferation, new papillomas are formed, or existing ones are regenerated.
Depending on the location and symptoms of the papillomas, the following removal methods are used:
- Laser surgery - Papilloma is treated with a surgical laser beam. This method does not require hospital treatment and the injured area heals fairly quickly. The laser is used on the face and visible parts of the body.
- Radiosurgery is exposure without contact with high-frequency radio waves, which causes the tumor to disappear. This method is effective but expensive.
- Cryodestruction - freezing the tumor with liquid nitrogen. Scars may remain at the site of exposure.
- Chemical destruction - cauterization with chemical acids. The procedure is quite sensitive and there is a high risk of touching adjacent tissues and chemical burns.
- Surgical excision - rarely used when a malignant process is suspected.
- Folk remedies - moxibus of foci with folk remedies (garlic, celandine, lemongrass, cabbage leaves, castor oil and others)
Vaccines are currently being developed to prevent the highly oncogenic types of the virus (species 16 and 18) that are used in many countries.
Protected sex, the use of personal hygiene devices, the strengthening of the immune system, and regular immunologist-gynecologist examinations are recommended to prevent the disease. If you notice any symptoms of HPV, you should see a doctor immediately.