Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes more than 100 types of viruses, 80 of which are pathogenic to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population are carriers of HPV. In most cases, infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and can be asymptomatic for a long time.
Causes of HPV infection
The symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can be: different types of warts, flat and genital warts, dysplasia of the cervix. However, the most dangerous manifestation of pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also evidence linking the development of cancer of the anus, external genitalia, vagina with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV 16, 18, 45, 56 type).
Transmission modes:
- Sexual contact.Is the major transmission route for human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during intercourse significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, but it does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur as the virus particles are very small.
- Contact household path.The causes of infection are the use of common intimate hygiene products: towels, soap, use of a public toilet, a bath.
- Natural birth.HPV can be transmitted to children who become infected when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.
The source of this infection is cells in the patient's skin and mucous membranes. In this case, a person may not know that he has become a carrier of the virus, as warts and papillomas may be microscopic in size and remain invisible during visual examination.
Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of a viral infection:
- the onset of sexual activity at an early age
- promiscuous sex without condom use;
- frequent abortions
- the presence of infectious diseases of the genitals;
- long-term use of oral contraceptives;
- decreased immune response in the body
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene
- if the sexual partner has HPV;
- exposure to frequent stressful situations
- bad habits.
Through pores, cracks, microtraumas in the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates into the basal layer of the epithelium, ensuring normal growth and renewal of skin and mucous membranes. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from the basal layer cells carries information about the healthy structure of the cells. A viral particle incorporated into DNA alters this information, resulting in the formation of affected cells, which in growth and division cause symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women
One of the possible manifestations of human papillomavirus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. They are specific formations that look like a cauliflower, a bunch of grapes or a rooster comb, pink or flesh colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.
Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially if there is anal intercourse.
Papillomas can occur on the skin around fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. They also sometimes form on the soles of the feet and cause a characteristic soreness when walking.
This type of disease rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor and cancer, but to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are surgically removed.
Consequences of HPV infection
The human papillomavirus in women can lead to significant growth of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which will cause a feeling of discomfort, pain, and when injured, bleeding of varying severity may occur.
Eighteenth and sixteenth type HPVs are the most dangerous as they lead to the development of cancer. Cervical cancer, which is reliably linked to infection with the human papillomavirus, is number two among various malignant diseases in women. The mortality rate from it reaches fifty percent.
Flat forwards
The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that practically do not rise above skin level.
Most often, the lining of the vagina and cervix is affected.
Cosmetic defect in them is much less than in genital warts.
This type of pathology has a higher risk of degeneration in cancer.
Dysplasia of the cervical mucosa
Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the lining of the cervix called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive treatment.
The disease is in most cases asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist. Dysplasia of several degrees of severity is distinguished: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity.
Cervical Cancer
This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer ranks second among tumor pathologies in women and is associated with infection with HPV types 16, 18.
The disease may progress without clinical signs or be manifested by nonspecific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, the appearance of spotting from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.
Disease Treatment Methods
If there is evidence of HPV infection due to the risk of consequences, do not self-medicate.
To choose the optimal treatment tactics, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist who, after a thorough examination and performance of the required tests, will prescribe an appropriate treatment.
To date, no drug has been invented that cures HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent further progression of the disease.
Main therapies for therapy:
- treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia)
- antiviral therapy;
- use of drugs aimed at boosting immunity.
In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas with dysplasia, even of a small size, it is recommended to remove them, as the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in the woman's body, which contributes to the furtherprogression of the pathology.
Surgical treatment
The methods for removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:
- surgical;
- cryotherapy;
- diathermocoagulation;
- laser coagulation;
- radio wave therapy;
- chemical attack.
The surgical method consists of removing the growth with a scalpel, is the cheapest treatment method, but after it remains a pronounced cosmetic defect and the healing period is significantly extended. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of 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 areas of the affected skin. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of coarse scars instead of pathological formations.
During laser coagulation, the action of the laser beams on the affected area leads to tumors drying out. A dry crust forms in their place, which after a while disappears without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.
Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, no pronounced scars are formed, but the disadvantage is the high cost.
The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. A special drug is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area, which disappears after a few days.
Substance Use
Drug therapy for human papillomavirus infection includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
- antiviral drugs;
- immunostimulants.
To reduce the virus concentration in a woman's body and prevent further reproduction, a long antiviral course of treatment is prescribed. The medicines are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dose and duration of the course of treatment should only be determined by the attending physician.
Immunostimulants are prescribed after an analysis and detection of a reduced level of immunity to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells and stimulate the production of antibodies directed against 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 for pregnancy. If an exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, treatment of this condition is not performed during this period, treatment is prescribed after the birth.
However, a woman should be monitored by a doctor throughout her pregnancy. With the development of severe discomfort, gentle treatment methods are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications to vaginal birth due to progression of HPV, a caesarean section is performed.
Get Rid Of HPV With Folk Medicine
At home, you can use folk remedies such as herbal decoctions and infusions - to treat papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of the resulting warts, papillomas and warts.
Ways to prepare decoctions and infusions for the treatment of human papillomavirus infection:
- Horsetail, stinging nettle herb, rosehip, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal amounts. At 3 pcs. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes on low heat, then let it infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Oregano herb, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettles, calendula, coltsfoot, red-burnt roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sage are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, let it infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups 4 times a day.
- Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, motherwort are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tbsp into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 0, 5 liters of boiling water and let it infuse for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml twice daily.
For the treatment of local manifestations:
- Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or bought at a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin in the affected area should be steamed and healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with a greasy cream. Celandine should be applied carefully to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every other day for a week until the pathological formation disappears.
- Garlic. The vegetable should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture on formation areas for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
- Young walnuts. They need to be crushed using a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0, 5-liter glass container to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Let it infuse for 20 days, then strain through the cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin twice a day.
Following treatment and elimination of the external manifestations of HPV, a woman should visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.