Human papillomavirus (HPV) provokes the formation of papillomas, warts, warts and is a factor in the development of cervical and laryngeal cancer. May rarely damage the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10-fold in the last 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to regional research, ranges from 29 to 45 percent. The medical community is particularly wary of the fact that about a third of all virus genotypes isolated provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Once in a woman’s body, HPV can show different activity depending on the state of immunity. Depending on the behavior of the pathogen, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. The virus remains in the body but does not cause pathological changes in the cells. There are no symptoms - the presence of the micro-organism can only be detected using molecular biological methods.
- HPV-Related Inflammation It is commonly referred to as cervicitis or vulvovaginitis against the background of HPV, for which the patient refers to a gynecologist. After consultation, she can learn: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus itself does not cause inflammation, but creates the conditions for the inflammatory process to activate.
- Condylomas located in the anogenital area and on the mucous membranes of the genital tract are a form of PVI (papillomavirus infection) that require the use of modern surgical procedures to remove them. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction, or coagulation of radio waves, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapses.
- Cervical dysplasia. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - a correct understanding of how women are treated for HPV is more important than ever to prevent this situation.
Classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactic. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups according to their ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, moderate and low oncogenic risk. Of the 40 sexually transmitted variants of the virus, 14 are at high and moderate oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - 56, -Types 58, -59, -66, and -68.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
In the female population, HPV infection accounts for 70%. However, the presence of the pathogen in the body does not yet mean the disease. If a person's immune system is healthy, then HPV infection is in most cases temporary - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat the human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main way to transmit the virus is through contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (using one towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are most susceptible to the virus infection. The risk of infection during the first sexual contact is about 60%. The virus can enter the body even in the absence of a direct relationship. It is girls who are most at risk for HPV and later for its consequences. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genitals.
Human Papillomavirus in Women: Causes
In the female population, HPV infection accounts for 70%. However, the presence of the pathogen in the body does not yet mean the disease. If a person's immune system is healthy, then HPV infection is in most cases temporary - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat the human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiency and avitaminosis;
- common acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortions;
- smoking and alcohol consumption;
- chronic psychoemotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent changes of sexual partners also increase the risk of both becoming infected with new strains of the virus and activating an existing infection. If the immune system is weakened, the virus is integrated into the genome of the cells, which means that there is a high chance of curing HPV in women at this stage of medical science. Therefore, it is very important to control the activity of the virus and to stimulate the immune system properly.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most pronounced sign of the presence of HPV in a woman is the appearance of papillomas on the skin of the mucous membranes of the genitals and the anogenital area. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the occurrence of other unpleasant symptoms, which will prompt a woman to see a gynecologist immediately:
- pathological vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent relapses of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- unpleasant odor from the vagina.
During the examination, the doctor sees benign lesions in the skin, changes in the cervical epithelium, and signs of inflammation. Cancer can only occur in the later stages of chronic papillomavirus infection.
Are there any medications for the human papillomavirus?
To understand how women are currently being treated for HPV, it is essential to understand how to treat human papillomavirus infection. Therapy for HPV infection is currently being reduced to the following activities:
- Prevention of progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no drugs that will completely remove the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing, with physicians focusing on the need for combination therapy for various manifestations of HPV. Research in genetic engineering is promising. Researchers are considering rewriting the virus's code to destroy it rather than spread it. Reducing copies of the virus restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on "How to treat HPV in women" is currently described in detail in the current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to see a doctor?
Women should have a preventive check-up at the gynecologist at least once a year. It is also necessary to see a doctor if you have any disturbing symptoms:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- lower abdominal pain;
- unusual discharge or unpleasant odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In case of accidental sexual intercourse, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. He will perform the test, take a gynecological smear and scratch to detect HPV.
If papillomas occur elsewhere in the body, a dermatovenerologist should be consulted. When an papillomas or genital warts grow in the anus, intervention by a proctologist may be required. This will help determine treatment tactics and what papilloma medications to prescribe to the patient at the pharmacy in a particular case.
General therapy scheme
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is stable human immunity itself. The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention points out that in 90% of cases of exposure to the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop due to self-suppression of the virus by innate immunity.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and directed to:
- treatment of co-morbidities;
- elimination of the manifestations of external diseases - by medical means and, if necessary, by surgical means;
- reduction in the amount of virus;
- stimulation of the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, a poor environment, and comorbidities reduce a woman’s immune system’s ability to cope with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, by having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help to strengthen the body and reduce the amount of viruses. Modern medicine is a spray with activated glycyrrhizic acid derived from licorice root. This helps to stop the virus from multiplying early and reduces the number of copies of the HPV genetic material in the body. The device has a special intravaginal tip for delivering the drug to the cervix and distributing it evenly along the vaginal walls. Antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment in the latent course of papillomavirus infection may prevent the onset of unpleasant symptoms and the progression of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus has caused changes in the genital area and the epithelium of the cervix, the spray helps to:
- to facilitate inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore mucosal integrity;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in preparation for the removal of benign derivatives caused by HPV in order to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent relapses. The medicine helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the secondary infection from attaching.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are removed, which can be done in the following ways:
- cryodestruction - the effect of the neoplasm on the common cold;
- electrocoagulation - high-frequency current treatment;
- laser removal means layer-by-layer laser irradiation until scabs appear;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to the warts and destroy them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after such destruction, it is optional - if other methods are not possible.
Among the new developments in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR / Cas9 system, which cuts DNA almost completely and inserts parts of it, thus activating the further spread of the virus.
Prevention
Barrier contraception (condoms) is recommended for primary prophylaxis, which, although not an absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You should be selective when choosing sexual partners. If accidental contact occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, HPV vaccination is the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In most countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. The most effective time to get vaccinated is in childhood and adolescence. In the past, vaccination after 20 years was not thought to make sense. However, recent studies have shown that vaccination against HPV is appropriate and effective until the age of 45-47 years.
If a viral infection does occur, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the good health of the patient, especially the good condition of his immune system. Women should see a gynecologist regularly for viral illnesses at an early stage.