Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV-human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that contains more than 100 virus types, 80 of which are pathogenic to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world’s population carries HPV. In most cases, the infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and can be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
Symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can include: different types of warts, flat and genital warts, cervical dysplasia. However, the most dangerous manifestation of the pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also evidence that cancer of the anus, external genitalia, and vagina is associated with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV types 16, 18, 45, 56).
Transmission methods:
- Sexual intercourse.The main route of human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during intercourse significantly reduces the risk of human papillomavirus infection, but does not provide a reliable guarantee that the infection will not occur because the virus particles are very small.
- Contact household trip.Causes of infection are the use of common intimate hygiene products: use of towels, soap, public toilet, bath.
- Natural childbirth.HPV can spread to children who become infected when the child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of infection is a cell in the patient's skin and mucous membranes. In this case, no person knows for themselves that they have become carriers of the virus, as warts and papillomas can be microscopic in size and remain invisible on visual inspection.
Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of a viral infection:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- intense sex without using a condom;
- frequent abortions;
- the presence of infectious diseases of the genitals;
- long-term use of oral contraceptives;
- decreased body immune response;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- if your sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to common stressful situations;
- bad habits.
Through the pores, cracks and microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates the basal layer of the epithelium, ensuring normal growth and regeneration of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA of the cells in the base layer (deoxyribonucleic acid) carries information about the healthy structure of the cells. The virus particle embedded in the DNA alters this information, forming damaged cells that cause symptoms of the disease as they grow and divide.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One possible manifestation of human papillomavirus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. These are special formations that look cauliflower, bunch of grapes or rooster comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect human skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can develop around or near the anus, especially during anal intercourse.
Papillomas can occur on the skin around the fingers and toes, hands, eyes, underarms, and scalp. Occasionally, they also form on the soles of the feet and cause characteristic pain when walking.
This type of disease is rarely transformed into malignancy and cancer, but the formations are surgically removed to prevent the disease from developing.
Consequences of HPV infection
Human papillomavirus can lead to a significant increase in genital warts, papillomas, and flat warts in women, which can cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding of varying severity.
Eighteenth and sixteenth types of HPV are the most dangerous because they lead to cancer. Cervical cancer, which is reliably associated with human papillomavirus infection, ranks second among malignancies in women. The 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.
Most commonly affects the mucous membranes of the vagina and cervix.
Cosmetic defect is much smaller in them than in genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of degeneration into cancer.
Cervical mucosal dysplasia
A pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the lining of the cervix called atypia. This gynecological condition is considered a cancer prophylaxis and requires monitoring and intensive treatment.
The disease is asymptomatic in most cases and is discovered during a routine examination by a gynecologist. Dysplasias of different severity are distinguished: 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 is the second most common cancer and is associated with HPV type 16, 18 infection.
The disease may continue without clinical symptoms or may present with non-specific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle.
Methods of treating the disease
Do not self-medicate if you have signs of HPV infection, given the risk of consequences.
In order to select the optimal treatment tactic, a gynecologist should be consulted who will prescribe appropriate therapy after a thorough examination and after performing the necessary examinations.
So far, no drugs have been found that will 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;
- Use funds to increase immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, it is advisable to remove them even on a small scale, as the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of virus particles in a woman's body, which contributes to further progression of the pathology.
Surgical treatment
Methods for removing genital warts, papillomas, warts, and dysplasia include:
- surgical;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method consists of removing the tumors with a scalpel, which is the cheapest method of treatment, however, after that a pronounced cosmetic defect remains 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 abnormal formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small wound forms underneath that heals in 10-14 days.
Applying high temperature diathermocoagulation to affected skin areas. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is that coarse scars are formed instead of abnormal formations.
During laser coagulation, the effect of laser beams on the affected area leads to dehydration of the neoplasms. In their place, a dry crust forms, which disappears after a while without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but the high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. With this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, no pronounced scars, but the disadvantage is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when there is some formation. Special medicine is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms in the treated area, which disappears after a few days.
Medication Use
Drug therapy for human papillomavirus infection involves the use of the following classes of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- Immunostimulants.
Long-term antiviral therapy is prescribed to reduce the concentration of the virus in the woman's body and prevent it from multiplying. The medicines are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, and the dose and duration of treatment can only be determined by your doctor.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analyzing and detecting a reduced level of immunity to increase the body's defenses, speed up the appearance of immune cells, and stimulate the production of antibodies to fight the virus.
Treatment of HPV infection in pregnant women
The presence of human papillomavirus infection in the female body does not affect the reproductive system and is not contraindicated in pregnancy. If exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, therapy for this condition is not performed during this period, and treatment is prescribed after delivery.
However, the woman should be monitored by a doctor throughout her pregnancy. Gentle therapeutic methods are prescribed as severe discomfort develops. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications to vaginal delivery due to HPV progression, a cesarean section is performed.
Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies
You can use folk remedies at home, such 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 human papillomavirus infection:
- Horseradish, nettle herb, rosehip, dandelion root, plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. A 3rd st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil on low heat for 10 minutes, then allow to infuse for 3 hours. Apply a glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Oregano herb, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettle, calendula, foal leg, burning root, chamomile flower, string, plantain leaf, celandine, linden flower, cumin seeds, sage mixed in equal amounts. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture was poured into boiling water (500 mL) and allowed to infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups four times a day.
- Valerian root, lemongrass herb, oregano, linden flower, hop cone, uterus are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tablespoon into a thermos. l. pour the resulting mixture with 0. 5 liters of boiling water and allow to infuse for 3-5 hours. 250 ml should be administered twice daily.
The following should be used to manage local manifestations:
- celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or can be bought at 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 grease cream. Celandine should be carefully applied to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the abnormal formation disappears.
- Garlic. Grate the vegetables on a fine grater and mix with skin cream until a viscous consistency is obtained. The resulting mixture was applied to the areas of the formations every day for 2-3 hours for one month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young walnuts. These are crushed with a meat grinder, the resulting mixture is poured into a 0. 5 liter glass jar so that 2/3 is full, the rest of the container is poured with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days, then strain the cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After the therapy and the release of the external manifestations of HPV, a woman should visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.