Papillomavirus is a group of viruses, with about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been found. It is only sent from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating human papillomavirus (HPV) is facing many and many doctors. The virus can stimulate tumor processes, it is found on the skin, in the esophagus, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, tears and even in the rectum.
Causes and routes of transmission
Human papillomavirus is a very common disease that is transmitted by:
- during sexual intercourse;
- when touched, kissed;
- through scratches or cuts when visiting the swimming pool, bathhouse, public toilet or fitness center;
- in shaving or epilepsy.
Statistics say that even with one spouse, women are infected in 20% of cases.
About 70% of the population are ill and carry HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted from patients who have warts on their body (it is this virus that causes them to appear) in the form of sharp or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.
Possible neonatal infection from the mother at birth. In children, the disease manifests itself in the form of growth in the throat or genitals.
Symptoms and development of the virus
The latent period of the disease (culture) can last from two weeks to several years. There are currently no visible signs of the virus.
Warts on the skin can appear gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible that many glandular tumors or papillomas grow rapidly at once, similar in shape to sea cabbage.
If the infection was sexually transmitted, the human papillomavirus is more common in women:
- in the area of the labia;
- vagina;
- cervix;
For men:
- about the head of the penis;
- on the skin of the genitals.
When partners are carried away by oral sex, they affect the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, for lovers of anal sex - anus, anus.
Men rarely suffer from the disease, although they can be carriers of it. When looking at a partner, the virus is more common in women.
Note!If you suspect suspicious growth, contact your doctor immediately, as with some types of viruses, cancerous tumors are reborn.
Classification and types
To date, about 600 species of the virus have been detected. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years after infection in the presence of normal immunity.
However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans and cause tumors, both benign and oncological.
In the 1980s, doctors proved the link between HPV infection and cervical cancer.
The following types of viruses are classified according to their skin lesions and variants:
- plantar;
- "slaughter warts";
- normal;
- apartment.
About the genitals:
- genital warts;
- flat, causes changes in the surface of the cervical membrane and causes cancerous diseases;
- papillomas that cause cancer of the genitals and anus, both women and men.
Other types:
- damage to the oral mucosa;
- respiratory papillomas;
- tumors of the throat, head, lungs.
Variation:
- Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms and in children they can grow on the knee. They look like coarse growths in the form of cones.
- Plants - disrupt the walk, look at the beginning as a shiny growth, then grow in the wart with an edge at the bottom. Growing, they form lots of similar images.
- Flat - the color is slightly different from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
- Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They are more common in people over the age of 50. At first they look like yellowish nodules, grow and form a growth of up to 6 mm.
When warts appear in visible areas, a sick person can seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect to see a gynecologist.
Virus analysis
If there is any suspicious growth on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae (warts) or uneven, uneven warts, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but it is best to remove them to reduce the chance of infection around you.
Due to the possibility of developing cancer, such tumors are being studied.
Your doctor will diagnose human papillomavirus - scraping the surface of the mucous membrane (colposcopy with cervical damage - looking at the mucous membrane in strong enlargement) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope for changes in the structure of the tissue (dysplasia), in addition to determining the type of virus.
The cervical smear is divided into 5 categories according to the results of a cell test:
- no changes;
- changes are due to inflammatory processes;
- there are slight changes in cell structure, histology is required;
- cells with signs of malignancy were found;
- there are many cells with signs of cancer.
Tissue research provides a more accurate picture of changes in the structure of the web.
Clinics use specific HPV tests that allow you to obtain more accurate diagnostic results. A positive test result indicates that a malignant process has taken place on the web.
HPV is at high carcinogenic risk. There is a high risk of cancer from papillomaviruses of types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of study cases.
Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.
HPV therapies
How to treat human papillomavirus? In connection with the reduction of immunity caused by the disease, doctors prescribe primarily drugs that increase it:
- interferon;
- interferonogen.
But the main treatment is the mandatory removal of tumors using the methods of modern cosmetology:
- diathermoelectrocoagulation;
- cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
- laser removal;
- radio or chemical treatment;
- introduction of growth stimulants or immunostimulants.
In each case of the disease, the treatment should be decided by a specialist.
If, according to the results of the study, no pathological processes are found in the skin, then only papillomas with a small area of the skin are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can reach a significant area, depending on the depth of the disease.
Ethnic methods and recipes
How to cure human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped to fight disease. Experience with HPV treatment is also quite extensive.
A method recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate warts:
- celandine safi;
- juices of sour apples and their raw materials;
- dandelion juice;
- ammonia.
Actual recipes:
- Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze it and put ice cubes 3-4 times a day.
- Lubricate with castor oil and then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such operations are sufficient.
- Petroleum and walnuts. Grind unripe nuts in a meat grinder, then mix together: for 1 part of nuts - 2 parts of kerosene should be given to the mixture for three weeks. Apply to warts 2 times a day.
To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking
- potato juice,
- echinacea infusion,
- Brussels sprouts tea.
Herbal collection:
- dandelion roots, nettles, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
- wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor purple, dill (seeds), blueberries (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.
HPV treatment at home
You can remove papillomas at home using medicines sold in pharmacies:
- A special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not get on healthy skin. After the operation, after about a week, the growth will disappear and leave no traces.
- Treatment with adhesive strips. Takes only 3 hours. But it can cause uncomfortable or painful feelings when torn off.
- Dilute 2, 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and sprinkle papillomas with this composition.
Infection control
And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. By removing papillomas from the surface of the skin, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should consult a specialist to prevent the degeneration of cancerous tumors. It is not yet possible to fully cure HPV, but you can take steps to avoid becoming infected.
For prevention you need:
- use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not completely protect against HPV infection, as it does not cover the entire surface of the skin on contact, but still helps in part to prevent the spread of the infection.
- Avoid visiting baths, swimming pools, toilets, even with the slightest wound on the skin.
- Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls 11-12 years old are vaccinated. Vaccination results showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.
Have you noticed a wart or suspicious growth on your body? Contact a qualified specialist and follow all recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and transportation methods and take action!