Papillomavirus infection is widespread worldwide. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, but the course of the disease and its development have their own characteristics in men and women.
For the stronger sex, the papillomavirus can cause certain disturbances in sexual life and provoke the appearance of related health problems.
The grounds
The human papillomavirus has such a microscopic structure that it can enter the body through the smallest microcracks on the skin and mucous membranes.
In this regard, there are several possible HPV infections, these are:
- Sexual transmission. You can get an infection not only through ordinary intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In gay men, HPV enters through anal contact through cracks in the skin and in the rectum. Traumatizing the mucous membranes during sex increases the risk of infection.
- The household's route of infection. The virus can be in a viable state for a long time in a humid environment, and therefore there is a high probability of its transmission in baths, saunas, through a personal towel. Cases of infection in beauty salons are described, where the rules for disinfecting manicure sets and other tools were neglected. Transmission of the virus through instruments in dental or operating rooms is possible.
- From mother to baby during birth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are most likely to become HPV positive.
It is believed that the younger the girls, the more likely it is that she has papillomavirus in her body - most cases of proven infection occur at the age of up to 25 years. Virgins can also be infected with HPV, as oral and other forms of intercourse are often practiced before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, i. e. a condom, does not provide a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is due to the fact that, due to its minimal size, this microorganism easily penetrates through the pores of the latex. Of course, a condom reduces the likelihood of a possible infection, but does not eliminate it completely.
It must also be remembered that the microorganism is found in a certain quantity in saliva and can therefore be transmitted through kissing.
The risk of possible HPV infection increases in men who have bad habits. The likelihood of infection increases with the weakening of the body's defenses, after prolonged treatment while taking antibiotics.
Symptoms
The fact that he is a carrier of the papillomavirus, a man cannot suspect until the activation of the vital activity of this microorganism occurs. The reason for this change is often the weakening of the function of the immune system.
The latent transport of the infection takes a period of two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly extended.
Activating the virus causes some of it to accumulate in a certain place on the skin or on the mucous membranes. The accumulation and development of papillomavirus changes the functions of the epithelial cells, and this gives rise to a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can form on almost any part of our body, most often they become noticeable when they appear in the armpits, on the face, on the neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of formation of papillomas is accompanied by itching and burning.
Papilloma virus formations on the body grow in the form of plaques, warts, filiform bumps on the legs. The biggest danger is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, can grow around the anus or inside the urethra.
At first, these growths most often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge and form a growth that resembles a cauliflower in shape.
In themselves, genital warts are only unpleasant because of a cosmetic defect. But if they are not removed and generally treated with a papillomatous infection, then there is a risk of degeneration of the changed epithelial cells into cancer cells.
Sometimes, during intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which leads to light bleeding and tenderness. With the strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, papillomas disappear or become smaller.
Effects
The consequences of infection with papillomavirus for men are very unpleasant and depend on the strain of this microorganism.
If the inside of the urethra is affected, there is a risk of rapid growth and spread of genital warts inside the urethra. This leads to its partial or complete blockage, which negatively affects the outflow of urine and affects the development of disorders in the functioning of the urinary organs.
The appearance of growths on the glans penis, around the anus and in the rectum increases the likelihood that a benign formation will become malignant.
Rectal cancer is detected more often in men who practice non-traditional intercourse. When participating in oral sex, there is a risk of the formation of papillomas in the throat, which are manifested by various unpleasant sensations.
A man infected with HPV also poses a certain danger to women in his environment. For a wife or other sexual partner, such a man will be the most likely source of infection. There is a risk of infection and sisters, mothers, daughters using a towel, bath accessories in the family.
Diagnostic methods
Establishing the diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genitalia and the patient's entire body.
The doctor must necessarily collect an anamnesis, that is, to clarify when the formations appeared on the body, with what the patient associates their growth, and to determine whether there are certain complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, these are:
- A swab or scraping from the mucus layer inside the urethra.
- PCR test to determine the type of virus, its quantitative content. This analysis is performed after taking a smear, prostate secretion or blood.
- Biopsy - an examination of a tissue sample taken during the removal of genital warts or from the site of a change in the mucous layer.
- Ureteroscopy helps to visually examine changes in the urethra.
Men who have homosexual contacts are advised to examine swabs taken from the anal area.
Methods of treatment of papillomavirus in men
The selection of methods for the treatment of human papillomavirus in men depends on which virus strain is detected in the man.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic activity is detected, an effective antiviral treatment is prescribed, and in the future it is necessary to constantly repeat the tests.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membranes in several ways. This can be either a conventional scalpel cut or more modern methods - laser treatment, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
After removing papillomas, it is necessary to increase the body's resistance to infections, which will reduce the risk of infection with another type of HPV.
Prevention
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is comprehensibility in sexual relations and, if possible, sexual contact only with trusted partners. The prevention methods include the observance of elementary rules in everyday life, this is the use of only your own towel and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine against HPV has been developed, it is given three times at a certain interval. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity against certain strains of papillomavirus.