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 variants 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 only colonizes the basal layer of the skin and is transmitted sexually.
Varieties
There are a large number of virus variants.Some of them are not harmful to humans at all.However, about forty types of HPV cause the development of condyloma on the genitals of men and women.And there are those that provoke the development of malignant cells.
Among all known types of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts that resemble calluses in appearance;
- HPV, which causes flat warts to develop;
- 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.
Based on the likelihood of developing cancer, all HPVs are classified 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 does the transfer take place?
The human papilloma virus is highly contagious.The infection itself in most cases occurs in early childhood, when children are actively exploring the world around them, and in the process damage to the child's skin occurs (abrasions, scratches).Through such damage, papilloma viruses penetrate the child's body.
Certain strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.The transmission mechanism in this case is exclusively sexual.The virus spreads from one sexual partner to another through microtrauma to the sexual organs, including through anal intercourse and oral sex.
In addition, there are several other routes of transmission of the human papilloma virus:
- Transmission of the virus from mother to child during birth.In this case, papillomas develop on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital areas in a newborn;
- self-infection, in which the virus is transmitted from one part of the body to another during shaving or hair removal;
- Transmission of the virus through household products (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, which is why in most cases the human papillomavirus does not manifest itself in any way.Reduced immunity allows the virus to become more active, leading to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.When viruses accumulate in a certain place on the skin or mucous membrane, they disrupt cell reproduction and accelerate their division.In this case, growths appear that mark the presence of the virus in the body.The growths can appear in the form of papillomas, genital warts and warts.
A 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, groin, neck and in some cases on the face.The number and size of papillomas is increasing rapidly.
Warts are round, hard, rough growths with clearly defined boundaries and measuring 2 mm to 1 cm in diameter.They most commonly form on the hands, elbows and knees.
Condyloma acuminata are rather soft growths with a rough surface that are attached to the skin with a stalk.They most often form in the area of the external genitalia and anus.A characteristic feature of genital warts is rapid growth in the form of tufts or cauliflowers.
In women
Penetrating into the body of a woman, the human papillomavirus provokes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30), and often also leads to the development of erosion and dysplasia of the cervix.The first neoplasms usually appear within three months of infection and are in most cases located on the labia minora, in the cervical canal, on the skin around the anus and in the oral cavity.The infection can survive in the female body for a long time without making itself felt in any way.With the onset of menopause, the virus is activated, which can lead to malignancy in the cells of the mucous membrane of the genital organs.
In men
A characteristic feature of the human papillomavirus in men 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 immunity, which in turn leads 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.Laryngeal papillomatosis can also occur in recurrent form in men.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
In modern medicine there is not a single special drug that can fight the human papilloma virus.Most growths can disappear on their own within 6 months to 3 years.A previously transmitted type of virus develops lifelong immunity in the body.
Treatment of HPV in the vast majority of cases is aimed not at eliminating the pathogen, but at eliminating the external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed if they cause cosmetic discomfort or cause pain.Removal of genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main removal methods are: electrocoagulation with electric current, cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen.
Treatment of papillomas and warts includes the use of the following medical procedures:
- daily treatment of warts with a 20% salicylic acid solution for a long period of 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 medical methods.The most common of these include:
- Treatment of warts with the juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- Porridge compresses made from hare cabbage leaves, frozen mountain ash, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- Treating warts with a decoction of willow bark in vinegar.
You should not expect immediate recovery from treatment with folk remedies.This is a long and persistent process.But patience and perseverance will be rewarded with positive results.