Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a specific pathogen that causes a chronic infectious disease called human papillomavirus infection, the most common infection among people.
Modern medicine knows several varieties of this microorganism, each with different manifestations: warts on the skin of the legs, arms and other parts of the body, genital warts on the mucous membranes of the genitals.HPV lives exclusively in the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a large number of varieties of the virus.Some of them are not harmful to humans.However, about forty types of HPV cause the development of condylomas on the genitals of men and women.And there are those that provoke the development of malignant cells.
Among all known varieties of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts, which look similar to calluses;
- HPV that causes the development of flat warts;
- HPV, which causes the growth of common warts;
- HPV, which causes the development of genital warts and papillomas on the genitals in men and women;
- HPV, which causes precancerous rashes.
Based on the probability of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, low oncogenic risk viruses and high oncogenic risk viruses.The latter are observed on the genitals of men and women in the form of genital warts and papillomas.If growths of this type are detected, their urgent removal is necessary.
How is it transmitted?
The human papillomavirus is highly contagious.The infection itself, in most cases, occurs in early childhood, during active exploration of the world around by children, during which damage to the child's skin (abrasions, scratches) occurs.It is through these damages that papillomaviruses penetrate the child's body.
Certain strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.The transmission mechanism in this case is exclusively sexual.The virus penetrates through microtraumas of the genitals from one sexual partner to another, including through anal intercourse and oral sex.
In addition, there are several other ways of transmitting the human papillomavirus:
- transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papillomas in newborns occurs on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital area;
- autoinfection, in which the virus is transferred during shaving or waxing from one part of the body to another;
- transmission of the virus by domestic means (in the shower or swimming pool).
Symptoms
The immune system of a healthy person is able to overcome the activity of the virus at an early stage of its development, and therefore, in most cases, the human papillomavirus does not manifest itself in any way.Decreased immunity allows the virus to become more active, which leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.Gathered in a certain location on the skin or mucosa, viruses disrupt cell reproduction, accelerating their division.In this case, growths appear that characterize the presence of the virus in the body.The growths can be in the form of papillomas, genital warts and warts.
A papilloma is a soft, elongated growth that attaches to the skin via a stalk.Most often, papillomas form under the mammary glands in women, in the armpits, in the groin, on the neck, and in some cases on the face.The number and size of papillomas are increasing rapidly.
Warts are round, hard and rough growths with clearly defined boundaries, with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.They most often form on the hands, elbows, and knees.
Condyloma acuminata are rather soft growths with a rough surface, attached to the skin by a stalk.Most often they form in the area of the external genitalia and in the anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is their rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflowers.
In women
Entering a woman's body, the human papillomavirus causes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30), and also often leads to the development of erosion and dysplasia of the cervix.The first neoplasms appear, as a rule, within three months from the moment of infection and are located in most cases on the labia minora, in the cervical canal, on the skin around the anus and in the oral cavity.The infection can live in the female body for a long time without manifesting itself in any way.The onset of menopause activates the virus, which can cause malignancy in the cells of the mucous membrane of the genital organs.
In men
A feature of the human papillomavirus in men is the asymptomatic and long-term development of the disease.Against the background of stable immunity, the virus does not show external manifestations.But factors such as hypothermia, overwork and infectious diseases can significantly reduce the level of immunity, which in itself will lead to the appearance of the first clinical signs in the form of tumors on the skin and mucous membranes.Men can develop genital warts (genital papillomas), whose favorite habitat is the anus and penis.Men can also present recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.
Human papillomavirus treatment
Modern medicine does not have a single special medicine that can combat the human papillomavirus.Most growths may disappear on their own over a period of 6 months to 3 years.A previously transferred type of virus develops lifelong immunity in the body.
HPV treatment in the vast majority of cases is not aimed at eliminating the pathogen, but rather at eliminating the external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed in cases where they cause aesthetic discomfort or become painful.Removing genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main removal methods are: electrocoagulation by electric current, cryodestruction by liquid nitrogen.
Treatment of papillomas and warts involves the use of the following medical procedures:
- daily treatment of warts with a 20% salicylic acid solution for a long period;
- injections at the source of infection;
- local treatment of warts with creams;
- cauterization of papillomas and warts with special preparations;
- cryotherapy (removal of tumors in 3-4 sessions);
- laser therapy (1-3 sessions).
Treatment with folk remedies
HPV treatment involves the use of traditional medicine methods.The most common include:
- treatment of warts with celandine juice, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- porridge compresses prepared from hare cabbage leaves, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- Treat warts with a decoction of willow bark in vinegar.
You should not expect instant recovery from treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and persistent process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.