Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a specific pathogen that causes a chronic infectious disease called human papillomavirus infection, the most common infection among people.
Modern medicine knows several varieties 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 inhabits exclusively in the basal layer of the skin and is sexually transmitted.
Variety
There are many varieties of viruses.Some of them are not harmful to humans at all.However, approximately forty types of HPV cause the development of warts on the genitals of both men and women.And there are those that provoke the development of malignant cells.
Among all known varieties of human papillomavirus, the most common types are:
- HPV, which causes plantar warts, which resemble calluses in appearance;
- HPV which causes the development of flat warts;
- 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 probability of developing cancer, all HPVs are divided into safe viruses, low oncogenic risk viruses and high oncogenic risk viruses.The latter are observed on the genitals of men and women in the form of genital warts and papillomas.If growths of this kind are detected, their urgent removal is required.
How is it transmitted?
Human papillomavirus is highly contagious.The infection itself in most cases occurs in early childhood, during active exploration of the world around them, during which damage to the child's skin occurs (abrasions, scratches).It is through such damage that papillomaviruses penetrate the child's body.
Some strains of the virus cause the development of genital warts in adults.The transmission mechanism in this case is exclusively sexual.The virus penetrates through microtraumas of the genital organs from one sexual partner to another, including through anal intercourse and oral sex.
In addition, there are many other ways to transmit human papillomavirus:
- transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth.In this case, the development of papillomas in a newborn occurs on the mucosa of the mouth and throat, as well as in the anus and genital area;
- autoinfection, in which the virus is transferred during shaving or hair removal from one part of the body to another;
- transmission of the virus through domestic means (in the shower or 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, and therefore in most cases the human papillomavirus does not manifest itself in any way.Decreased immunity allows the virus to become more active, which leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical symptoms.By gathering in a certain point on the skin or mucosa, viruses interrupt cell reproduction, accelerating their division.In this case, growths appear that characterize the presence of the virus in the body.The growths can take the form of papillomas, genital warts and warts.
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, in the groin, on the neck, and in some cases on the face.The number and size of papillomas are rapidly increasing.
Warts are round, hard, rough growths with clearly defined borders with a diameter of 2 mm to 1 cm.They form most often on the hands, elbows and knees.
Condylomata acuminata are rather soft growths with a rough surface, attached to the skin with a stalk.Most often they are formed in the area of the external genitalia and anus.A distinctive feature of genital warts is rapid growth in the form of clusters or cauliflowers.
In women
When entering the body of a woman, human papillomavirus causes the appearance of genital warts or genital papillomas (between the ages of 15 and 30 years) and also often leads to the development of erosion and dysplasia of the cervix.The first neoplasms appear, as a rule, within three months from the moment of infection and are located in most cases on the labia minora, in the cervical canal, on the skin around the anus and in the oral cavity.The infection can live in the female body for a long time without manifesting itself in any way.The onset of menopause activates the virus, which can cause malignant tumors in the cells of the mucosa of the genital organs.
In men
A feature of human papillomavirus in men is asymptomatic and long-term 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 the level of immunity, which in itself will lead 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.Men may also experience recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
Modern medicine does not have a single special drug that can fight human papillomavirus.Most growths may disappear on their own in 6 months to 3 years.A previously transferred 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 external manifestations of its activity.Warts and papillomas are removed in cases where they cause cosmetic discomfort or become painful.Removal of genital warts is mandatory for both men and women.The main removal methods are: electrocoagulation using electric current, cryodestruction using liquid nitrogen.
Treatment of papillomas and warts involves 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 medicine methods.The most common include:
- treatment of warts with juice of celandine, dandelion, green apple, aloe;
- gruel compresses prepared from hare cabbage leaves, frozen rowan, garlic, Kalanchoe;
- baths with a strong infusion of St. John's wort and chamomile;
- treat 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.