The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, condyloma and is a trigger in the development of cancer of the cervix and laryngopharynx. Less commonly, it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eye. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times over the last 10 years. In our country, according to studies in the regions, the incidence of HPV infection varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly cautious due to the fact that about one-third of all isolated viral genotypes induce the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
When one enters a woman's body, HPV can show different activity, which depends on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, 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 a microorganism can only be determined using molecular biological research methods.
- HPV-associated inflammation Usually we talk about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis on the basis of HPV, which leads the patient to a gynecologist. In consultation, she can find out: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation alone, but creates conditions for activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma located in the anogenital region and on the mucous membrane of the genitals is a form of the course of PVI (papillomavirus infection), where it becomes necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove formations. Following surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction, or radiowave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapse.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, a proper understanding of how HPV is treated in women is more important than ever.
Classification helps the physician choose the most effective treatment tactic. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups depending on the ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of the virus transmitted through sexual contact, 14 are classified as high and medium oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - 56, - 58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. But the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection is in most cases transient - it disappears 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 route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertically (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (using a towel, razor, underwear).
Adolescents aged 13-30 years are most susceptible to infection with the virus. At the first sexual contact, the risk of infection is around 60%. The virus can also enter the body in the absence of direct intercourse. It is girls who are most at risk for HPV, and so with its consequences. This is due to the special conditions of the structure of their genitals.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. But the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection is in most cases transient - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat the human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- simultaneous pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immune deficiencies and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early intercourse;
- aborter;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional strains that weaken 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 change of sexual partners also increases the risk of both infection with new virus strains and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus integrates into the cellular genome, leading to a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has not yet been discovered. That is why it is so important to keep the activity of the virus under control and stimulate the immune system properly.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genitals and the skin in the anogenital region. They do not cause pain and usually go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, due to which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent relapses of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul-smelling discharge from the vagina.
On examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can only occur in the later stages of a chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand the approaches available to treating human papillomavirus infection. Currently, HPV infection therapy is reduced to the following activities:
- prevention of the development of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no substances that lead to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - doctors' focus is on the need for combined treatment of different manifestations of HPV. Research in genetic engineering is promising. Researchers are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the viral code for self-destruction instead of spreading it. Reduction of viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on the topic "How to treat HPV in women" is currently detailed in the current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to go to the doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also the need to visit a doctor arises when disturbing symptoms occur:
- neoplasms of the genital area;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- abdominal pain;
- unusual discharge or bad smell from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where an unintentional intercourse has taken place, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. He will perform an examination, take a gynecological smear and scrape to detect HPV.
If papillomas occur in other parts of the body, a consultation with a dermatovenereologist is necessary. When papillomas or condylomas grow in the anus, surgery by a proctologist may be required. This will help determine the tactics of treatment and what remedies for papilloma should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case for purchase at a pharmacy.
General therapy scheme
The primary weapon in the fight against HPV is the stable immunity of the person himself. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop due to self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and targeted at:
- concomitant disease therapy;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medical and, if necessary, surgical;
- reduction of viral load;
- stimulation of the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and sequelae reduce a woman's immune system's ability to cope with the virus on its own. There are drugs that have a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help the body's strength and lead to a decrease in viral load. These modern medicines include a spray with activated glycyrrhizinic acid, which is obtained from licorice root. It helps prevent the virus from replicating early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle for drug delivery to the cervix and its uniform distribution along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the onset of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus induced changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated during the preparation period for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent recurrence. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are subject to removal, which can be performed by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to neoplasm with cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high frequency current;
- laser removal - layer-by-layer exposure to laser irradiation until a scab appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions applied to warts and destroying them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of relapse after this type of destruction, it is prescribed selectively - if it is impossible to use other methods.
Among the new developments in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR / Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts the DNA and embeds its sections, thereby inactivating the further spread of the virus.
Prevention
For primary prevention, it is recommended to use barrier contraception (condoms), which, although not absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You should be selective in your choice of sexual partners. If an accidental connection occurred, 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 many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization calendar. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was thought that after 20 years of vaccination does not make sense. However, recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination 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 patient's good health, especially the good condition of the immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-associated diseases in the early stages.