Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a specific pathogen that causes a chronic infectious disease called human papillomavirus infection, the most common infection in humans.
Modern medicine knows several varieties of this microorganism, each of which has 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 inhabits exclusively the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a large number of varieties of viruses.Some of them are not harmful to humans at all.However, around forty types of HPV cause the development of warts on the genitals in both men and women.And there are those that cause the development of malignant cells.
Among all known varieties of human papilloma virus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts, which resemble calluses in appearance;
- HPV which 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 skin rashes.
Depending on the likelihood of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, viruses with low oncogenic risk and viruses with high oncogenic risk.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 papilloma virus is very contagious.The infection itself occurs in most cases in early childhood, during active exploration of the world around, during which damage to the child's skin occurs (abrasions, scratches).It is through such damage that papillomaviruses enter the child's body.
Some strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.The transmission mechanism in this case is exclusively sexual.The virus enters through microtrauma of the genitals from one sexual partner to another, including during anal intercourse, as well as oral sex.
In addition, there are several other modes of transmission of the human papillomavirus:
- transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papillomas in a newborn occurs on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital area;
- autoinfection, in which the virus is transferred during shaving or hair removal from one part of the body to another;
- transmission of the virus by household means (in the shower or in the 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.A decrease in immunity allows the virus to become more active, which leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.Having gathered in a certain place on the skin or mucous membranes, 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 take the form of papillomas, genital warts and warts.
Papilloma is a soft, elongated growth attached to the skin with 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 increase rapidly.
Warts are round, hard, 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 external genitalia and anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is their rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflowers.
In women
Entering the body of a woman, the human papilloma virus causes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between 15 and 30 years of age), and also often leads to the development of erosions and dysplasia of the cervix.The first neoplasms usually appear within three months after infection and in most cases are located 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 of the cells of the mucous membrane of the genitals.
In men
A feature of the human papillomavirus in humans is the long-term and asymptomatic development of the disease.Against the background of stable immunity, the virus has no 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 preferred habitat is the anus and penis.Men can also suffer from laryngeal papillomatosis in a recurrent form.
Human Papilloma Virus Treatment
Modern medicine does not have a single special drug capable of combating the human papilloma virus.Most growths can disappear on their own over a period of 6 months to 3 years.A previously transferred type of virus develops permanent immunity in the body.
Treatment of HPV in the vast majority of cases is aimed not at eliminating the pathogen, but at eliminating external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed in cases where they cause aesthetic discomfort or become painful.Removal of genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main methods of elimination 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 20% salicylic acid solution for a long time;
- injections into 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
Treatment of HPV involves the use of traditional medicine methods.The most common of these include:
- treatment of warts with juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- porridge compresses prepared from leaves of hare cabbage, 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 after treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and persistent process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.