Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV - human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections involving more than 100 types of viruses, 80 of which are pathogenic to humans. According to the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population is infected with 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: various 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 the anus, external genitalia, and vagina are associated with the development of certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV types 16, 18, 45, 56).transmission paths:
- Sex.Human papillomavirus infection is the main route of infection. The use of condoms during sexual intercourse significantly reduces the risk of human papillomavirus infection, but the small size of the virus particles does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur.
- Contact-home path.Causes of infection are the use of shared intimate hygiene products: towels, soap, use of public toilets, baths.
- Natural childbirth.HPV can be transmitted to infected children when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of this infection is the cells of the patient's skin and mucous membranes. In this case, a person does not know that he or she is a carrier of the virus, because warts and papillomas can be microscopic and remain invisible on visual inspection.
Factors contributing to the development of viral infections:
- onset of sexual activity at an early age;
- having sex without using a condom;
- frequent abortions;
- presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
- long-term use of oral contraceptive methods;
- decrease in the body's immune response;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- if your sexual partner has HPV;
- frequent exposure to stressful situations;
- bad habits.
Through the pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates the basal layer of the epithelium, which ensures the normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA of basal layer cells (deoxyribonucleic acid) provides information about the healthy structure of cells. A viral particle entering DNA alters this information and results in the formation of affected cells that cause symptoms of the disease during growth and division.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One of the possible manifestations of human papillomavirus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. These are specific formations that look like a pink-red or flesh-colored cauliflower, a bunch of grapes, or a rooster comb. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can damage a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can occur around or near the anus, especially if you have sex.
Papillomas can occur on the skin of the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. It also sometimes forms on the soles of the feet and causes a characteristic pain when walking.
This type of disease rarely develops into a malignant tumor and cancer, but the formations are surgically removed to prevent the disease from developing.
Consequences of HPV infection
Human papillomavirus in women can cause a significant increase in genital warts, papillomas, straight warts, which can cause discomfort and pain, and can cause varying degrees of bleeding when damaged.
Eighteenth and sixteenth types of HPV are the most dangerous because they cause cancer. Cervical cancer, which has been linked to human papillomavirus infection, is the second most common cancer in women. The death rate from it reaches fifty percent.
Straight warts
The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that do not rise above the level of the skin.
The mucous membranes of the vagina and cervix are often affected.
Dozens of cosmetic defects are smaller than genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of developing cancer.
Dysplasia of the cervical mucosa
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the cervical mucosa, called atypia. In gynecology, this condition is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive treatment.
The disease is often asymptomatic and is detected during regular examinations by a gynecologist. There are several degrees of severe dysplasia: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment depends on the severity.
Cervical cancer
This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer is the second most common tumor pathology in women and is associated with infection with HPV type 16, 18.
The disease may persist without clinical signs or manifest itself with non-specific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual cycle.
Diseases treatment methods
If you have symptoms of HPV infection, do not treat yourself because of the risk of consequences.
To choose the optimal treatment tactics, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist who will prescribe an adequate therapy after a thorough examination and the necessary tests.
So far, no drug has been invented to cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body so that the disease does not develop further.
Main areas of therapy:
- treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia);
- antiviral therapy;
- Use of means to increase immunity.
Papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even in small sizes, are recommended for removal, because the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in a woman's body, which contributes to the further development of the pathology.
Surgical treatment
Here are some ways to get rid of genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia:
- surgical;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method is the removal of growths with a scalpel, the cheapest method of treatment, but after that there is an obvious cosmetic defect, and the healing time is significantly extended. There is also a risk of secondary infection. For this reason, this intervention is used in extreme cases.
During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, freezing the pathological formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small wound forms under it, which heals in 10-14 days.
Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to the affected skin areas. This procedure is very painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough scars at the site of pathological formation.
During laser coagulation, the effect of laser beams on the affected area causes the neoplasms to dry out. A dry crust forms in their places, and after a while it disappears without leaving any scars. This type of treatment is the most elegant, but the high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. There is no risk of bleeding when using this treatment, there are no obvious scars, but the disadvantage is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when a small formation occurs. A special drug is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area and disappears after a few days.
Drug Use
Drug treatment for human papillomavirus infection involves the use of the following groups of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
A long-term course of antiviral therapy is prescribed to reduce the concentration of the virus in a woman's body and prevent it from multiplying. The drug is used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dose and duration of treatment should be determined only by the attending physician.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of low levels of immunity to increase the body's defenses, accelerate 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 a woman's body does not affect the reproductive system and is not a contraindication to pregnancy. If an HPV outbreak occurs during pregnancy, no therapy is given during this period, and treatment is prescribed after delivery.
However, a woman should be monitored by a doctor during pregnancy. With the development of severe anxiety, mild therapies are prescribed. In extreme cases, caesarean section is performed when there are contraindications for vaginal birth due to the development of HPV.
Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies
At home, you can use folk remedies for the treatment of papillomatosis, ointments - herbal solutions and infusions to get rid of warts, papillomas and warts.
Mixtures and infusions for the treatment of human papillomavirus infection:
- Horsetail, nettle grass, rose hips, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. 3 st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes on low heat, then leave to infuse for 3 hours. Take 1 glass 3 times a day for 30 minutes before eating.
- Oregano grass, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch shoots, nettle, calendula, coltsfoot, bulbous roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, strawberries, linden flowers, cumin seeds mixed in equal amounts, cumin seeds. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. l. The resulting mixture, pour 500 ml boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, mother-daughter are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tablespoon into a thermos. l. The resulting mixture, pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water and leave to infuse for 3–5 hours. Apply 250 ml 2 times a day.
For the treatment of local manifestations apply:
- Carnation juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or bought from a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area should be evaporated and healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with an oil cream. Celandine should be applied carefully to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days a week until pathology occurs.
- Garlic. The vegetables should be passed through a fine grater and mixed with the skin cream until a sticky consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture to the formation areas for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young walnut. They should be crushed with a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0. 5 liter glass jar to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the bowl with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days, then strain through cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.
After recovering from therapy and the external manifestations of HPV, a woman should see a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent the continued development of the disease.