Papilloma virus is a group of viruses with about 24 subgroups. About 600 species have been detected so far. It is transmitted only from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is able to stimulate tumor processes and is found in the skin, esophagus, oral mucosa, bronchi, conjunctiva and even the rectum.
Causes and ways of infection
The human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- visiting a swimming pool, sauna, public restroom or gym through scratches or cuts;
- during shaving or epilation.
Statistics show that even with one partner, women become infected by 20%.
About 70% of the population is ill and carries HPV. The virus is particularly active in patients with warts on the body (caused by the virus) in the form of sharp or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
It is possible to infect newborns from the mother during childbirth. In babies, the disease affects the growth of the throat or genitals.
Virus symptoms and development
The latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. There are currently no visible signs of the virus.
Warts on the skin can occur gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible that many warts or papillomas grow immediately, in a shape similar to sea kale.
If the infection is sexually transmitted, then the human papillomavirus occurs in women:
- in the field of labia;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
For men:
- around the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When the partner is taken away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are damaged, and for anal sex lovers - the anus, the rectum.
Men rarely get the disease, although they may be carriers. Spousal testing is more common in women.
Attention!If suspicious growths are detected, see a doctor immediately, as some types of viruses regenerate neoplasms and cause cancer.
Classification and species
About 600 virus types have been detected so far. They are usually harmless and disappear within two years of infection with normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans, causing both benign and oncological tumors.
Doctors proved a link between HPV infection and cervical cancer in the 1980s.
The following types of viruses are classified according to the location and variety of skin lesions:
- soles;
- "Butcher's warts";
- ordinary;
- apartment.
On the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, provoking changes in the surface of the cervical membrane and causing oncology;
- papillomas, which cause cancer of the genitals and anus in both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory papillomas;
- neck, head, lung tumors.
Varieties:
- Simple papillomas appear at the back of the palms and can grow on the knees in children. They look like rough cones.
- Soles - interfere with walking, at first look like shiny growths, then grow up to warts with edging at the base. As they grow, they form a whole bunch of similar formations.
- Flat - the color is slightly different from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filamentous. In medicine, they are called acrochords. They are more common in people over 50 years of age. At first they look like yellowish tubers, growing, forming sprouts up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in visible places, a sick person can go to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to detect cervical or vaginal damage, especially if women ignore visits to the gynecologist.
Virus diagnostics
Be sure to contact your doctor if you develop suspicious growths similar to papules (warts) or uneven, lumpy warts on the skin or mucous membranes. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they are best removed to reduce the chances of infecting others.
Due to the possibility of developing cancer, such tumors are being studied.
The doctor will perform an analysis of the human papillomavirus - scraping off the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with a cervical lesion - examining the mucosa at a large enlargement) or the skin. The sample is examined microscopically for changes in tissue structure (dysplasia) and the type of virus is determined.
Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of cytological examination:
- no changes;
- changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
- there are small changes in cell structure, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignancy were found;
- there are many cells that show signs of cancer.
Histological examination provides a more complete picture of changes in tissue structure.
Clinics use special HPV tests to obtain more accurate test results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of malignant processes in the tissue.
HPV is at high oncogenic risk. High risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are detected in 70% of cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV treatment methods
How to treat human papillomavirus? Due to the decrease in immunity caused by the disease, doctors prescribe drugs that increase it:
- interferons;
- interferonogens.
However, the main treatment is the mandatory removal of neoplasms by modern cosmetology:
- diathermic electrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radioactive or chemical treatment;
- introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into growths.
For each disease, the types of treatment must be determined by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the examination, no pathological processes are found in the skin, only papillomas with a small area of skin around them are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.
Folk methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped fight disease. Experience in the treatment of HPV is also quite extensive.
Measures recommended by traditional medicine. You can apply warts:
- celandine juice;
- sour apples and their juice;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Approved recipes:
- Prepare the infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze and apply ice cubes 3-4 times a day.
- Grease with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. 5-6 such procedures are usually sufficient.
- Kerosene and walnuts. Grind the unripe nuts in a meat grinder, then mix: 1 part nuts to 2 parts kerosene, the mixture should be added for three weeks. Apply to warts 2 times a day.
Herbalists recommend drinking to boost immunity
- potato juice
- echinacea infusion,
- rosehip tea.
Herbal collections:
- dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horseradish, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using medications sold in pharmacies:
- A special composition for cooling warts. It must be applied carefully to prevent contact with healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growth will disappear, leaving no trace.
- Adhesive tape treatment. It only takes 3 hours. But tearing it off can cause unpleasant or painful sensations.
- Dilute 2, 5 grams of aspirin powder, 100 grams of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and apply papillomas with this composition.
Infection prevention
And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant tumors. Removing papillomas from the surface of the skin will not make it possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should consult a specialist to prevent neoplasms from degenerating into cancer. It is not yet possible to completely cure HPV, but you can take steps to prevent infection.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. A condom does not completely protect against HPV infection because it does not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but still partially helps prevent the infection from spreading.
- Avoid visiting baths, pools, toilets, even if there are the slightest wounds on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus. Girls aged 11-12 are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in the disease in women who received the drug.
Have you found a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a competent professional and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatments and remedies and take action!