HPV is a human papillomavirus, which, according to various sources, infects from 70 to 90% of the world's population. The manifestations of HPV in women and men are diverse: from a harmless single wart on the finger to cancer of various organs. It is important to know how to recognize infection in time, what to counteract the invasion of the virus into the body, and how to be treated correctly if the disease is diagnosed. Find out everything about this insidious disease to prevent dangerous manifestations and irreversible consequences.

Types of HPV and principles of its classification

HPV, or in Latin human papilloma virus (abbreviated as HPV), has many faces. Under this general name, about a hundred different viruses are now known that can infect humans and cause various diseases. Many people are well acquainted with HPV, without knowing it - it is it (more precisely, some of its types) that causes the appearance of various warts and papillomas on the skin. It happens that papillomas form on the mucous membranes of internal organs.

Healthy skin - healthy body

Other types of HPV cause genital warts (condylomas) on the skin of the genitals. The third, the most dangerous, can provoke skin cancer of the penis and cervical cancer. The relationship between cervical carcinoma and papillomavirus has been completely proven by medical research. There are also known cases of malignant tumors of the larynx and rectum, the culprit of which was the human papillomavirus.

Depending on their ability to cause cancer (oncogenicity), HPV is classified into groups:

• non-oncogenic;
• with low oncogenicity;
• moderate degree of oncogenicity;
• with high oncogenicity.

Examination of skin papillomas

Classification of HPV by oncogenicity

As virological research progresses, the classification of types may change. For example, HPV type 58, which was once considered highly oncogenic, is now classified as moderately oncogenic. Other, opposite results may also appear. In any case, some modern foreign scientists are inclined to consider papillomavirus to be the culprit of cancer of any location. So far, the most harmful and frequently encountered in oncology tests are types 16 and 18:

• HPV 18 - in 10% of cases;
• HPV 16 - in 50% of cases.

Only an electron microscope can examine the virus

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Causes and development of human papillomavirus infection

Papillomavirus is genetic material (DNA) located inside a protein shell. It is so small (50-100 nm) that it is indistinguishable even under a conventional light microscope; it can only be observed under an electron microscope. HPV can penetrate human skin through the slightest scratch, abrasion or microcrack and cause a chronic disease - human papillomavirus infection (papillomatosis).

Structure of HPV

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Routes of entry of papillomavirus into the body

• Household infection. Occurs through contact with the skin, use of things and personal hygiene items of an infected person. In public places such as baths, swimming pools, toilets, where there is a humid, warm environment, HPV persists for quite a long time - the likelihood of infection in these places is quite high.
• Self-infection during shaving, hair removal, if there are viral foci of another location and personal hygiene measures are not observed.
• Infection of children from a mother suffering from human papillomavirus infection during childbirth.
• Infection of healthcare workers during surgical procedures on infected patients.
• Infection during sex. This is the main, most common route of infection with the papilloma virus in men and women.

Development of papillomatosis over the years

Having penetrated the cells of the skin epidermis, viruses enter the field of view of cells of the immune system and are most often destroyed. With weak immunity, pests manage to penetrate deep into the skin (mucous membrane), namely, into the basal layer. There they invade the chromosomes of cells, modify them, adapting the host cells for their own comfortable life and reproduction.

Under the influence of HPV, cells begin to rapidly divide, leading to the appearance of tumors on the skin or mucous membranes. Whether these neoplasms turn out to be benign or malignant depends on the type of virus that has invaded. Either these will be warts, papillomas, condylomas, or cell degeneration will begin to occur, leading to cancer.

The latent (hidden) period of infection with human papillomavirus is quite long: from several weeks, months to several years. All this time, the infected person may not be bothered by anything at all. However, even in the absence of external manifestations of papillomavirus infection, a person who carries the virus can unwittingly become the culprit of infecting other people.

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Risk group - who is susceptible to the disease

To say that HPV poses a serious threat to a healthy individual with good immunity would be an exaggeration. Most often, the body copes with the carriers of the infection on its own. However, one should not be complacent either: there is a risk group for whom the danger of the virus increases many times over. Having been exposed to certain factors, a healthy person may also end up in this group.

• early onset of intimate relationships;
• several sexual partners, changing them frequently;
• the presence of diseases other than sexually transmitted HPV;
• neoplasms in the genital area;
• chronic gynecological diseases, abortions;
• pregnancy;
• uncontrolled use of oral contraception;
• practice of anal sex;
• past infectious diseases;
• excessive medication use;
• alcohol abuse, smoking;
• weakened immunity (due to HIV infection, diabetes, serious illness, taking medications that suppress the immune system);
• some gene diseases (for example, epidermodysplasia verruciformis).

Verruciform epidermodysplasia: gene failure, plus HPV

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Visible symptoms and manifestations of human papillomavirus infection

When infected with the human papillomavirus, there are initially no symptoms and the infection remains dormant. People with strong immunity can live their entire lives carrying HPV and not knowing it. With weakened immunity, after some time (sometimes after months, and sometimes after years), the human virus makes itself felt by the appearance of various neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes.

Strictly speaking, these are no longer symptoms, but the first clinical manifestations of infection of the body. Therefore, you should be wary and go for examination to a dermatologist if you notice the appearance of:

• common warts;
• plantar warts;
• acrochords (filamentous warts);
• papillomas;
• flat papillomas;
• genital warts.

Common warts

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Types and localization of warts

Common warts occur most often on the hands and are caused by HPV type 2. They are sometimes called vulgar (simple) warts. These are round tubercles with a diameter of 3-10 mm. A distinctive feature is the multiple nature of the rashes: next to one wart that appears, another soon forms, a third appears, and so on. If left untreated, they remain on the skin for up to 6-8 months, after which they disappear on their own. More precisely, the immune system deals with them.

A frequent characteristic feature of common warts is the appearance of “kissing” formations located exactly opposite each other on adjacent fingers or on both sides of the skin fold formed when the fingers of the limbs are bent. Plantar warts can appear on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. They are a variety of ordinary ones, but larger in size their appearance is provoked by types 1, 2.

Important! If vulgar warts have not gone away within a year, on the contrary, their number has even increased, this indicates a significant decrease in immunity, and this is a good reason to consult a doctor.

Plantar wart

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Papillomas - what they look like and where they are located

The appearance of papillomas in the form of rounded papillae and filamentous warts (acrochords) in men and women is caused by several non-oncogenic types of human papillomavirus. These formations can be very small and quite large: from 0.2 mm to 20 mm. A distinctive feature is the leg between the body of the formation and the human skin. When externally manifested, papillomas are localized in places with thin skin, in skin folds, and in places with high skin moisture:

• in the groin;
• in the armpits;
• in women - under the breasts;
• on the neck;
• around the nose;
• around the eyes.

A distinctive feature of papilloma is a thin stalk

Such papillomas occur in people over 35 years of age. Moreover, in older age groups, skin lesions with filamentous warts are more common. Thus, they are found in half of fifty-year-old people and older, and among eighty-year-olds and older, almost no one can boast of the absence of papillomas. Unlike simple warts, papillomas do not disappear spontaneously.

Papillomas under the armpit

In addition to external localization, there is also an internal location of papillomas: they are found on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nose, pharynx, esophagus, bronchi, trachea, and genitourinary system. And if external formations often bring only cosmetic discomfort, then internal ones cause much more discomfort and can cause significant damage to health.

Filiform wart

Internal HPV infection often causes the simultaneous growth of a large number of formations, that is, it leads to papillomatosis, which causes serious problems in the functioning of the body. For example, papillomatosis of the throat and vocal cords can cause loss of voice and even breathing problems, which requires urgent medical intervention as it is life-threatening.

The favorite location of the formations is the genitals. Manifestations of the human papillomavirus localized in intimate places have their own name - condylomas, and deserve separate consideration.

Papillomas in the throat

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Condylomas are a serious manifestation of HPV

Several types of human papillomavirus (some of them are highly oncogenic) can lead to the formation of condylomas - neoplasms in the genital area, anus, rectum, and sometimes in the mouth. These are bodily outgrowths that can occur in various forms:

• Typical. These are genital warts that occur on the genitals, as well as in the anal area in representatives of either sex. As they grow, they visually resemble a cockscomb; sometimes their appearance is compared to cauliflower. These condylomas are difficult to miss. Occasionally, typical condylomas are detected on the lips, in the mouth, in the pharynx, and on the tongue.
• Flat. It is difficult to detect these condylomas: they practically do not protrude above the surface of the skin, they look like spots, but they can grow inside. They are detected only with the help of special techniques during examination. In women, flat condylomas can be located on the cervix, and in men - on the head of the penis.
• Papular. These are smooth condylomas.
• Hyperkeratotic. Condylomas of this form look like scales because they are formed by layering on top of each other. They are located on the skin, in intimate places.

Typical condylomas

All forms of condylomas are caused by some type of human papillomavirus. The infection is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. Because of this, condylomas are also called venereal warts. The latent period reaches 2-3 months; depending on specific conditions, it may be slightly less or more. When the virus is activated, typical condylomas grow extremely quickly, sometimes reaching their maximum size in a few hours.

Multiple condylomas can cause pain, while single ones are painless. But in any case, they are a source of physical and psychological discomfort. And most importantly, condylomatosis can lead to serious oncological diseases of the genital area.

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Features and consequences of the disease in men and women

The impact of HPV on men and their weaker halves is different. It's time to clarify the specific manifestations of the virus in people of both sexes and the possible consequences of human papillomavirus infection. It should be noted right away: the human papillomavirus is still less dangerous for men than for women; the consequences of infection for the stronger sex are not so numerous and dire. However, the harmful virus can cause significant damage to men’s health.

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What diseases does infection cause in men?

The routes of HPV infection, general manifestations, and risk factors are clear. Now it’s worth considering what the consequences of infection are, specific to men. They are represented by the following diseases:

• condylomatosis;
• bowenoid papulosis;
• Bowen's disease.

Condylomas acuminata

Condylomatosis is expressed in the appearance of small seals and their further rapid growth to typical condylomas located on the penis, urethra, anus, scrotum, and rectum. Sometimes the onset of rashes is accompanied by discharge and itching. As new condylomas form and grow, the genital warts merge, forming something similar to a cockscomb.

Wart growths are soft and do not cause pain. However, they can overshadow intimacy with unpleasant sensations. Considering that oncogenic types of human papillomavirus may be involved in the formation, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed. The chance of condylomas degenerating into a cancerous tumor is quite real. Particularly dangerous in this regard are flat formations, which can also appear on the head of the penis.

Bowenoid papulosis

Bowenoid papulosis. A precancerous disease that primarily affects people of reproductive age. It appears in the form of various rashes, most often these are pigmented papules of a brown, purple, sometimes pinkish hue. There are skin-colored papules with a preserved skin pattern. The typical location of papules is on the body of the penis. The possibility of papules degenerating into Bowen's disease, squamous cell carcinoma, cannot be ruled out.

Bowen's disease. It appears as a single scaly lesion (plaque) with uneven edges. Under the scales there is a wet surface. The shape of the neoplasm can be either irregular, oval or round. The plaque grows along the periphery, eventually the lesion can reach up to 10 cm in diameter. Some experts consider this disease to be precancerous with the possibility of its degeneration into squamous cell carcinoma. Most people tend to consider Bowen's disease to be skin cancer of the penis.

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How dangerous is infection for women?

Women have a different mentality than men. A single papilloma in a visible place (in the décolleté, for example) can throw them off balance, and a chain of papillomas on the neck can be a real shock. Of course, a wart is not a decoration for a pretty face - it is clear that when it is discovered, a woman rushes to the dermatologist. And this is correct: one should not put up with defects in appearance.

Noticing a papilloma in a visible place, a woman hurries to the doctor

This step is also reasonable, since under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or accidental injury, a benign neoplasm can degenerate into a malignant one. Another thing is unclear: why the same woman, having discovered much more dangerous growths in intimate places, endlessly postpones a visit to the doctor. Perhaps this is due to ordinary ignorance, then it’s time to eliminate it by learning about the peculiarities of the manifestation of HPV in women.

Penetrating into the body, the human papillomavirus in women, as well as in men, can cause skin lesions described above, including genital warts. However, the specificity of the female body is such that the papillomavirus is even more dangerous for the fairer sex than for men.

Accumulation of papillomas on the neck

1. Firstly, it is not easy to detect tumors in the vagina or cervix if you do not undergo preventive examinations (and many women neglect them).
2. Secondly, it became known that estrogen (the female sex hormone) promotes the malignant degeneration of papillomatous formations.

Genital warts

Genital warts themselves are not malignant, although they can look quite scary if they grow large. However, many doctors believe that they are more prone to malignant transformation than ordinary papillomas. Inconspicuous flat condylomas are even more prone to this.

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What are the dangers of HPV manifestation on the cervix?

Of course, typical condylomas are an unpleasant thing. They cause physical discomfort that interferes with intimate life: they can be damaged during friction, bleed, and cause pain. Damaged genital warts easily become infected, and then an unpleasant odor can be added to previous misfortunes. In addition, a woman suffering from condylomatosis experiences a feeling of inferiority, the fear of causing rejection from her partner is a blow to her psyche.

But there are also more terrible consequences from the presence of the human papillomavirus in the body. About 30 types of HPV can attack the female genital organs. Among them are highly oncogenic HPV 16, HPV 18, whose participation in the formation of cervical cancer has been fully proven by scientists. This disease is especially dangerous due to its hidden and asymptomatic course. Often, a woman does not feel any disturbance in her health and does not notice the external manifestations of the disease until its later stages.

Only a gynecologist can detect characteristic manifestations of HPV on the cervix during an examination, and the woman is considered to be at risk. An intermediate step between infection with an oncogenic virus, its activation and the development of cancer are atypical changes in the epithelium, called cervical dysplasia. In the initial period, dysplasia is a reversible disease. If it is detected and eliminated in time, it protects against the development of cancer.

Penetration of the virus into the body, development of cervical cancer

The first signs of a malignant process may appear in women who have reached the age of thirty. According to WHO, the risk increases with active intimate relationships and frequent changes of partners. Therefore, after 30 years, and even more so, in the presence of risk factors, annual testing is highly desirable. Preventive examinations also cannot be neglected. According to Professor I. Apolikhina (Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology), the majority of women with advanced cervical cancer have not visited a gynecologist for more than 10 years.

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The influence of papillomavirus on pregnancy

The human papillomavirus, as a rule, does not affect the course of pregnancy itself. However, expectant mothers during this period may experience a sharp increase in the number of genital warts or, on the contrary, their unexpected spontaneous disappearance. This is due to decreased immunity and changes in hormonal levels. Certain risks may be associated with the rapid growth of condylomas and an increase in their number:

1. The accumulation of large genital warts in the birth canal is fraught with bleeding and difficulty in childbirth.
2. Massive accumulation of condylomas in the genitals can call into question the possibility of natural delivery and lead to the need for a cesarean section.
3. The possibility of infection of a newborn when passing through the birth canal of a mother suffering from condylomatosis cannot be ruled out. As a result of infection, the baby develops papillomatosis of the respiratory tract.
4. Genital warts open the way for the addition of other infections.

It is advisable to get tested for HPV before pregnancy

Considering the possibility of adverse consequences of human papillomavirus infection, when planning pregnancy, it is advisable to undergo testing for the presence of HPV in the body and determine its type. If a virus is detected, it is necessary to undergo adequate treatment. Since treatment is carried out using drugs contraindicated during pregnancy, doctors recommend postponing its onset until the second menstrual cycle after completion of therapy.

If a woman is diagnosed with human papillomavirus during pregnancy, doctors usually postpone treatment until 28 weeks and select gentle, conservative methods of getting rid of the disease in order to minimize the adverse effects of drugs on the fetus. During this period, the expectant mother needs to be under the special supervision of a gynecologist, follow the regime, and work hard to strengthen the immune system.

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All possible diagnostic and treatment methods

Having understood the characteristics of HPV and the harmfulness of its individual types, you have to think about whether the virus is in the body and how to get rid of it. As usual, medicine offers its own methods of combating the disease, and the people have also accumulated many ways to combat the disease. Both of them deserve attention.

Examination and diagnosis precede the start of treatment

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Modern methods of professional diagnostics

The first step to healing from any disease is examination and diagnosis. To diagnose diseases associated with the human papillomavirus, the following are used:

• Clinical-visual method. Makes it possible to detect external manifestations of human papillomavirus infection.
• Colposcopy. Examination using a special device with the ability to magnify the image and backlight. Allows you to assess the condition of the vagina, cervix, detect lesions, take smears and biopsies for further research.
• Cytological examination of smears. The main goal is to detect the early stage of degeneration, precancer.
• Histological examination of material taken during biopsy. Allows you to evaluate the degree of change in unhealthy tissue compared to a sample of unchanged tissue, and has a high diagnostic value.
• Molecular biological research: polymerase chain reaction, Digene test. These precise modern methods make it possible to identify more than 70 types of HPV, determine their level of oncogenicity and concentration in tissues. Combining these techniques with cytological examination makes it possible to predict the development of the disease.
• Computed tomography, ultrasound. They are carried out to clarify the nature of the tumors that have arisen on internal organs.

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Principles and possibilities of traditional therapy

Modern medicine, unfortunately, cannot boast of the presence of any drug that completely destroys HPV. To treat human papillomavirus, patients are usually offered a complex of conservative therapy and surgical methods to remove formations on the skin and mucous membranes. The goals of such therapy:

• eliminating external manifestations of the virus to prevent its spread;
• strengthening the immune system;
• reducing the concentration of the virus in tissues so that the immune system can “deal” with HPV on its own.

Laser removal of papilloma

Removal of papillomas is practiced when they seriously spoil the appearance, become inflamed, are injured due to contact with clothing, or are prone to malignant degeneration.

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Surgical methods for removing tumors

There are many ways to remove papillomas and condylomas using surgery.

• Traditional scalpel. It is used for large papilloma size (more than 10 mm) or suspected presence of cancer cells. During the operation, performed under local anesthesia, part of the healthy tissue is excised to prevent relapse. The method is quite traumatic, requiring a suture; healing takes a long time, and scars may remain after it.
• Removal of benign tumors with laser. The treated skin is subjected to local anesthesia, after which the papilloma is exposed to a laser beam within a minute. In this case, the wart shrinks, turning into a crust, which disappears within 7 days. Complete healing occurs after another week - during this period the skin must be protected from sunlight, otherwise a dark spot will form.
• Electrocoagulation. The method is based on removing tumors with electric current. Using an electrocoagulator, the stalk of the papilloma is dried, after which the growth is easily separated. The advantage of the method is the possibility of examining a removed wart for cancer.
• Cryodestruction. This is the freezing of benign formations with liquid nitrogen - the temperature of this substance is about -200 °C. The procedure is painless, the exposure time is calculated in seconds. After removing the papilloma, it is recommended to treat the area where it was located twice a day with a solution of potassium permanganate or boric alcohol. Cycloferon ointment, which enhances local immunity, will also have a good effect.

Cryodestruction of warts

Cryodestruction is used to remove growths on the genitals, papillomas on the eyelids, and small joints. The disadvantage of this method: weak freezing is fraught with the reappearance of formations, and if it is too strong, scars may form.

To avoid the formation of a scar, decorative cosmetics should not be applied to the site of papilloma removal until the wound is completely healed. It is necessary to treat this area with potassium permanganate or a healing ointment containing an antibiotic. Using a laser, papillomas are removed on the face, arms, legs, and genitals.

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Radio waves in the effective fight against papillomas

Many modern doctors agree that the best method of surgical treatment of human papillomavirus is the radio wave method using the Surgitron apparatus. The principle of its operation is the impact on tissue of high-frequency radio waves with the evaporation of diseased cells. At the same time, minimal damage is caused to surrounding tissues to which the radio wave is not directed, even less than with laser removal.

Thanks to this gentle effect, radio wave surgery is well suited for use in areas with thin, delicate skin and mucous membranes: the face, genitals, and cervix. To care for the area, treat it with an alcohol-free antiseptic for several days.

Radio wave apparatus "Surgitron"

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Conservative treatment of human papillomavirus infection

After surgical removal of skin pathologies, HPV still remains in the body and can cause relapses. The question of how to recover from the human papillomavirus worries many. It has already been mentioned that there is no universal remedy that can destroy HPV. This can only be a person’s own immunity. The main efforts should be directed at strengthening it. A combination of immunostimulation with antiviral drugs is effective.

Interferon-based drugs are often prescribed: Viferon, Cycloferon and others. They combine both antiviral and immunostimulating effects. Isoprinosine, groprinosine, panavir, and allokin-alpha also have a dual effect. The regimen and dosage of medications can be prescribed by a doctor, and only a doctor - amateur activity is inappropriate here, it can lead to dire consequences.

To get rid of condylomas, podophyllotoxin and similar drugs that cause necrosis of genital warts are used topically. For local impact on formations resulting from the human papillomavirus, various gels and ointments are used that have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects:

• salicylic ointment;
• Panavir;
• malavit;
• oxolinic ointment and others.

Dosage forms of Panavir

It is worth repeating: any medications should be used only after examination by medical specialists and as prescribed. The same applies to immunomodulatory and immunostimulating drugs. To determine whether medications are required to boost immunity, you should be examined by an immunologist. Having done an immunogram, he will prescribe medicine or advise how to get rid of the manifestations of the human papillomavirus using folk remedies (this happens).

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How to fight HPV at home

• destruction of warts using external agents
• ingestion of compounds that strengthen the immune system.

Celandine

Juices of various plants, ointments, decoctions, tinctures from them, as well as some products are used as external remedies. Among the products, egg white, which remains on the shell after pouring the egg, has proven itself well. Systematic lubrication of formations leads to their disappearance. And a few more recipes for using folk remedies to remove papillomas at home:

• Fresh celandine juice. Apply to the formations repeatedly throughout the day, wet after 15 minutes. Systematic use of celandine will lead to the disappearance of growths. You can use an alcohol tincture or ointment based on this plant.
• Euphorbia juice. Apply similarly to celandine, but rinse off after half an hour.
• Brine from soaked apples. Apply a tampon soaked in brine to the wart overnight.
• Garlic ointment. Pour crushed garlic (50 g) into a glass of vegetable oil, leave for a week, strain, lubricate the formations.

Amazing remedy for papillomas

The described means are not suitable for the destruction of condylomas localized in delicate places. In this case, aloe juice, castor and sea buckthorn oils are good. Women are advised to insert tampons soaked in one of these products at night. For men, simply lubricate the affected areas or apply compresses to them at night.

Now you should pay attention to at least a couple of recipes to strengthen your immune system:

1. Brew a few raspberry leaves with a glass of boiling water. Take this tea daily, and no infections will be able to occupy the body.
2. Mix 10 g of celandine herb, 25 g each of buckthorn bark and hawthorn flowers, 50 g of echinacea. Every evening, pour a tablespoon of this mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour and drink.

You learned what HPV is and how it manifests itself, how to be treated with the help of specialists, and how to get rid of the human papillomavirus at home. It is not easy to expel a virus from the body; it is easier to repel its attack with the help of your own immune system. To strengthen it, preventive medications, vitamin complexes and a healthy lifestyle will serve.

Even people who carefully care for their bodies may develop various new growths on the skin, most of which are benign.

Most often, the cause of their appearance is the human papilloma virus or HPV, which is present in the body of almost every person, but does not make itself known for the time being.

What is HPV

Many people are interested in the question: what is the human papillomavirus, and why is it dangerous?

Human papillomavirus refers to a whole group of viruses that are part of the papillomavirus family, consisting of 5 genera, more than four dozen species and about 200 strains.

• This virus is transmitted only from person to person.
• The source of the virus is pathologically altered cells of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Moreover, the growths themselves may not yet appear, while the virus will already be present in the body, and its “host” will infect other people.

Papilloma is a skin growth, usually flesh-colored, with a narrowed base (pedicle). Sometimes it manifests itself in the form of papillary growths.

The papilloma is covered by the epidermis, and its core is formed by fat and nerve cells, fibrous fibers of the skin and blood vessels.

How it develops

The infection is transmitted from person to person through sexual and household contact, as well as from mother to child during childbirth.

• The main condition for transmission of the virus is the presence of microtraumas on the skin and mucous membranes.
• There is a risk of so-called self-infection when shaving or epilating.

In an infected cell, the pathogen can exist in two forms:

• episomal- the virus does not invade the cell’s chromosomes, this form is considered benign;
• introsomal- the virus integrates into the cellular genome, this form is defined as malignant.

Papillomavirus can exist in a healthy human body without manifesting itself for a long time, but when the immune system fails, the virus can become active and begin to multiply vigorously.

Then the disease manifests itself with clinical signs. At first, the neoplasms are small in size, but over time they can grow to an impressive 5 cm.

Photo: pregnancy is one of the factors that provokes the formation of tumors on the skin

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing papillomas:

• obesity. If you are overweight, skin folds and friction zones form on the body, which leads to trauma to the skin;
• diabetes mellitus;
• taking steroid hormones. The drugs disrupt the formation of skin fibers, increasing the risk of papillomas;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• pregnancy. Papillomas are formed against the background of the release of certain hormones and decreased immunity during pregnancy;
• genetic predisposition;
• contact with people infected with HPV;
• sexual contacts with different partners;
• reduced immunity caused by stressful conditions and unbalanced nutrition;
• HIV infection;
• organ transplantation, which causes a decrease in the functioning of the immune system.

In most cases (about 90%), the person heals himself within a year.

In other cases, the disease takes on a long-term, chronic, relapsing form with possible degeneration into a malignant one.

Photo

Species

There are five main types of papillomas, differing in shape, size, location and other characteristics.

As a rule, they are not prone to malignancy.

• Simple papillomas (vulgar, ordinary). They can be single or multiple, and have the appearance of dense keratinized papules from 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter. The favorite place for localization of neoplasms is the fingers and toes, the back of the hands and the soles of the feet. Most often, they do not require treatment and resolve on their own after a few months, sometimes years.
• Flat warts. They are called “juvenile” because they appear in childhood and adolescence. The diameter of the formations is 1-5 mm. These are flat papules with a smooth surface of flesh-colored, pink or light brown color of irregular shape, but with clear contours, slightly (1-2 mm) rising above the surface of the skin. The usual place for their localization is the face, neck, palms, legs (if there are abrasions or scratches).
• Palmar and plantar papillomas. Usually these growths appear in places where shoe pressure is applied, in rare cases - on the palms. They resemble calluses, which makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis. These tumors are the most painful and difficult to treat.
• Thread-like growths (acrochords). Unpleasant-looking elongated growths of body color, sometimes their size reaches 10 mm. Favorite locations: neck and face (often eyelids, lips and chin), armpits, skin folds. This type of papillomas has the ability to actively spread through areas of the body adjacent to the affected area and to merge with each other. They do not “dissolve” on their own.
• Pointed papillomas (condylomas). They are small growths of pink skin. They can merge into papillary growths. Localized on the genitals. In men - on the head of the penis, on the foreskin; in women - on the labia majora and minora, on the vestibule of the vagina, etc. In both sexes, condylomas can occur in the anal area and in the oral cavity.

In addition, there are bladder papillomas and laryngeal papillomas.

In some cases, human papillomavirus infection can lead to the development of malignant tumors.

What is the most dangerous type of virus? In connection with this feature, there is the following classification:

• non-oncogenic viruses include: from No. 1 to No. 5, as well as No. 10, 28 and 49;
• to low-oncogenic: No. 6 and 11, No. 42 to 44, No. 54,61,70, 72 and 81;
• to moderately oncogenic: No. 26,53 and 65;
• to highly oncogenic: No. 16,18, No. 31 to 35, 39, 45, No. 51 to 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68.

In 70% of cases, human papillomavirus 18 and 16 leads to the development of cervical cancer in women.

photo: degeneration into cervical cancer

Which one is more dangerous - 16 or 18?

Human papillomavirus 16 accounts for up to 54% of squamous cell carcinoma cases.

How dangerous these two types are, you can draw your own conclusions.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of papillomas depends on the location of the growths and the type of epithelial damage.

• New growths that appear on the skin of the face or neck, as a rule, spoil the aesthetic appearance and do not carry any serious consequences.
• Other types of papillomas, for example, those localized on the laryngeal mucosa, can cause swelling, breathing problems, obstruction, etc.

Papillomas are often injured, for example, by friction with clothing, then the neoplasm becomes inflamed and blackens.

• When viral warts occur on the sole, a person may feel pain; by the way, plantar papillomas are considered the most painful.
• When genital warts appear on the genitals or in the anus, the infected person may experience discomfort during sexual intercourse or bowel movements.

What is the danger of the papilloma virus

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the level of danger of the virus depends on its type.

The highly oncogenic type of virus is dangerous for both sexes, but to what extent and in what way?

For women

Women should immediately consult a doctor if anogenital papillomas are detected, since highly oncogenic types of the virus can lead to dysplasia and cancer of the cervix, anal area and external genitalia.

Moreover, the danger threatens both young and elderly women.

Cervical erosion can also develop due to HPV, as the virus changes the epithelial cells lining the cervix. And erosion can already lead to squamous cell carcinoma.

For men

HPV in men is less of a concern, although in some cases, the virus can be dangerous for men due to the formation of atypical cells and cancer of the penis or anal area.

Men more often become carriers of the virus without experiencing any health problems.

But the appearance of genital warts should not be ignored, since the virus will be transmitted to partners during intimate intimacy, and in addition, the growths interfere with normal sex life and personal hygiene.

During pregnancy

How dangerous is the papilloma virus for pregnant women?

HPV does not affect the course of pregnancy and the intrauterine development of the baby, but the condition itself can become a trigger for the activation of the disease.

The threat to children is that HPV can be transmitted to the child through the birth canal and lead to the formation of laryngeal papillomas or the formation of growths on the genitals or anus.

Diagnostics

• Diagnosis of papillomavirus begins with a clinical examination to identify the type of papillomas.
• Next, laboratory tests are prescribed, and the laboratory diagnosis of HPV in men and women is somewhat different.

Both sexes are assigned:

• PCR diagnostics, which allows you to determine the amount of virus in a scraping taken from areas affected by HPV and identify other STDs;
• enzyme immunoassay that detects antibodies to the virus;
• cytological or histological examination;
• anoscopy, which allows you to examine the perianal area under magnification;
• Daijin test that identifies the type of HPV.

Women undergo colposcopy and cervical biopsy, and take a PAP test.

Video: “How to treat papilloma virus”

How to treat

Treatment of HPV should be comprehensive and aimed at suppressing the virus, removing its “sources” (directly papillomas) and increasing immunity.

For this purpose, the doctor prescribes antiviral and immunostimulating drugs for internal and local use, as well as the optimal method for removing papillomas.

Drugs

There are currently no targeted drugs against papillomavirus.

Photo: using iodine to remove growths

• interferon. It is used in the form of subcutaneous injections and allows you to get rid of growths within a few days;
• cycloferon and viferon. Ointments for external use, used after removing growths;
• immiquimod. The cream stimulates cell immunity;
• immunal;
• preparations with iodine for local use.

Photo: celandine juice is used to cauterize papillomas

In the treatment of HPV, traditional medicine is widely used: garlic, celandine and dandelion, essential oils and even soap, for which it is enough just to lubricate the growths with laundry soap moistened with water.

Removal methods

Experts say that adequate treatment of HPV begins with the physical removal of papillomas.

Currently, there are several modern methods of hardware removal of warts.

1. Electrocoagulation. Papilloma is treated with electric current.
2. Cryodestruction. The growths are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
3. Laser removal of papillomas. The growths are treated with a powerful beam of light.
4. Radio wave removal. In this case, high frequency waves are used.

What to do if the papilloma is swollen and red?

How to remove filamentous warts and papillomas using folk remedies? Read here.

These methods are used to remove papillomas almost throughout the body. But what to do if unpleasant growths appear on your face?

On the face

Our face is our calling card, therefore, when papillomas are localized on any part of it, the choice of treatment tactics must be approached with special attention.

Of the above methods, electrocoagulation is the least suitable, but scars may form after the procedure.

To remove papillomas from the skin of the face, the following is most often used:

• radio wave method on the Surgitron apparatus. Papillomas are cut off from the surface with a radio knife. This is a fast, reliable and highly accurate method that has proven itself to have excellent cosmetic results. It is used to remove papillomas on the eyelids and nasolabial folds.
• cryodestruction. An effective method that also does not leave scars or scars on the skin;
• laser removal. An affordable and effective way to cleanse your facial skin.

Photo: laser removal of tumors

Cost of procedures

Prevention

In order to avoid infection or activation of a virus, you should follow a few simple rules:

• avoid contact with people infected with HPV;
• observe the rules of personal hygiene in public places;
• use the patch when the skin is injured.

Women need to undergo regular preventive examinations with a gynecologist.

PAP test

A PAP test or Pap smear does not detect human papillomavirus in women, but it can detect changes in cells toward the development of cancer, which may be caused by HPV.

The presence of atypical cells indicates a high risk of developing cancer or its presence.

Thus, this study makes it possible to detect cancer at the earliest stages and begin treatment in a timely manner.

Vaccination

There are currently only two vaccines against HPV: Gardasil and Cervarix.

• The vaccine cannot directly cure papillomavirus, but it can protect a person from infection with the virus.
• Vaccination is most effective for both men and women under the age of 26.

How can you remove filiform warts, papillomas or acrochordas at home?

How to use hydrogen peroxide for papillomas? Find out here.

Which doctor should I see for papillomas? Read on.

The level of danger of human papillomavirus infection to human health depends on the type of virus.

Infected people need to undergo diagnostics to determine the type of oncogenicity of the virus, and decide on HPV treatment based on its results.

Prevention measures should not be neglected; they will help avoid not only HPV, but also other infections.

Young people under 26 should get vaccinated, and women should have regular PAP tests.

Video: “Vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus)”

HPV: what is its danger, is it possible to die from papillomavirus?

Unaesthetic neoplasms on the skin do not become an adornment to its owner. However, often the person who has them takes this fact lightly. At the same time, experts no longer think about the question, are papillomas dangerous? The answer became known a long time ago, and doctors strongly advise getting rid of them in order to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.

Are papillomas harmful?

Papilloma looks like a small bulge above the surface of the skin. It can be based on a wide base or located on a leg. The size and color of the growths are also different; new growths can be flesh-colored, pink or brown. Why are papillomas dangerous? Firstly, this neoplasm is, albeit benign, a tumor that over time, in the absence of specific treatment, can lead to a cancerous process. Secondly, the danger of papilloma lies in its ability to migrate in the body, that is, to spread throughout the body. The presence of papilloma in a person is always dangerous, since it gradually leads to the development of cancer.

What is PVI and is human papillomavirus dangerous?

According to the latest statistics provided by the World Health Organization, almost 80% of all humanity is susceptible to HPV infection, that is, these people are diagnosed with papillomavirus infection - PVI. Is papillomavirus dangerous? At the moment, thanks to numerous studies in the field of microbiology, it was possible to identify and study the properties of 130 species of this pathogen. All of them, depending on the degree of risk of provoking the development of malignant processes in the human body, are divided into 3 groups. The danger of papillomavirus is determined in the laboratory by belonging to one of them.

Which HPV is the most dangerous?

Thanks to molecular diagnostics, today it has become possible to determine the DNA of the virus in samples of biological material and determine whether the HPV present in the body of the person being examined is dangerous:

• Strain DNA types 1, 2, 3 and 5 are non-oncogenic;
• DNA of papillomaviruses 6, 11, 42, 43 and 44 have weak properties regarding the ability to provoke the development of oncological processes;
• The papillomavirus is most dangerous if it is determined that its genotype is type 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68. The danger of these HPV strains is due to their high carcinogenic properties.

How dangerous is the human papillomavirus?

The most malignant types of microorganisms in terms of cancer include 15 genotypes of the virus. Only a qualified specialist should interpret the results obtained as a result of a specialized examination, since a lot of data plays a role in diagnosis, and not just the numerical indicators of the tests. But it is still recommended to have a general understanding of why HPV of one type or another is dangerous.

Of all the pathogen strains that have an increased carcinogenic risk, the high danger of human papillomavirus is also represented by genotypes 16 and 18. They account for almost 70% of the identified cases of infection. How dangerous HPV of these types can be judged by the list of cancers, the development of which they provoke: adenocarcinomas, cancer of the cervix, anus, malignant lesions of the vagina, vulva and penis, oral cavity, larynx.

If, as a result of the examination, papilloma (HPV) is diagnosed, is it dangerous? Many patients ask this question after receiving a positive test result.

The doctor deciphers the results obtained, as well as assesses the threat of the human papillomavirus identified during a specific examination. This is due to the fact that in addition to the presence of the pathogen in the human body, it is necessary to take into account such a factor as the viral load. It consists of determining the concentration of virus genotypes in the patient’s biological material at the time of examination, on which the degree of threat of cancer development directly depends. In order to determine why human papilloma detected during the examination is dangerous, it is necessary to take into account some features of the infectious process. These include:

• Among infections that are transmitted during sexual contacts of any kind, HPV occupies a leading place (up to 80%).
• When young women are initially infected, if their immunity is at the proper level, 75% of them can self-heal without any specific therapy within 1-1.5 years from the moment of infection. This phenomenon is called self-elimination. As age increases, the ability to do so decreases.
• Infection with papillomavirus and disease are not the same thing. Carriage of the virus in the body leads to the development of precancerous changes in tissues in less than 1% of patients.
• At least 10-20 years pass from the moment the pathogen enters the body until the activation of cancer processes, which is associated with age-related weakening of the protective mechanisms of the human body.
• The infectious process is very insidious and often occurs asymptomatically until malignant changes begin.
• Another feature that determines why the papilloma virus is dangerous is that the clinical manifestations of this disease are often similar in symptoms to other diseases of the genitourinary system. This leads to the fact that it is not always possible to determine the infection in a timely manner using traditional examination methods.

Which papillomas are most dangerous?

Growths can exist on human skin and mucous membranes for many years and remain unchanged. The following symptoms indicate the beginning of the degeneration of cells into cancer:

• at the site of the tumor, a person begins to experience a feeling of compression and pain;
• the papilloma itself darkens to black;
• the skin around the appendage becomes red and swollen;
• papilloma can become inflamed. At the same time, if you remove the crust that has formed on its surface, the secretion of ichor will begin.

If a person notices the appearance of one or more of the listed symptoms, he should immediately seek specialized help, since such signs of HPV activity are deadly.

Can you die from HPV?

If there is a human papillomavirus in the body, the genotype of which belongs to the group of high carcinogenic risk, you should not ignore the recommendations of the attending physician regarding monitoring the dynamics of the infectious process, as well as specific treatment. Despite the fact that the period of time between infection and the onset of disease progression is quite long, without therapeutic intervention the threat of developing cancer processes increases every year.

With adequate medical supervision and timely complex therapy, it is possible to prevent the onset of the oncological process. In addition, today in the pharmaceutical field there is an active search aimed at developing new and improved vaccines that can counteract human papillomavirus infection. Death does not occur specifically from HPV; this is possible due to the development of an oncological process.

HPV in women: main types and types. Their health hazards

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common types of infectious diseases in the body. It can appear both on the skin and on internal organs (in the throat, in the mouth, on the tongue, in the vagina, on the uterus). If an infection enters the body, it is currently impossible to completely get rid of it. Although there are effective means and methods to combat the disease. The manifestation of the papilloma virus (HPV) in women is especially dangerous. Why?

Depending on the type of papillomavirus, the growths have a certain level of oncological intensity. HPV strains 16 and 18 are especially dangerous in women. Their manifestations can cause the occurrence of malignant tumors, especially if neoplasms are diagnosed on the cervix or vagina. In this case, the risk of developing cervical cancer is very high. In no case should you self-medicate if you have been diagnosed with HPV 16, HPV 18 in women. The use of folk remedies or pharmaceutical drugs without consulting a specialist, and even more so the independent removal of shoots, can lead to serious consequences - the development of dangerous concomitant diseases.

In the early stages of infection, complex consequences can be avoided, but in more advanced stages, it is very difficult to combat the effects of the papilloma virus in women. Sometimes, even surgical measures do not provide 100% confidence in a positive result and do not completely eliminate the risk of relapse. Therefore, at the first signs of illness, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor, and it is best to do preventive examinations more often.

There are also non-oncogenic types of papillomavirus (HPV) in women. They do not pose any danger to the body and do not provoke the appearance of malignant tumors. For the fair sex, non-oncogenic papillomas are just cosmetic skin defects that can be treated with medications or through one of the methods of surgical removal. These include HPV type 6 (most often diagnosed in women), as well as strains 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11.

There are many effective medications and folk remedies that are used to eliminate this disease. This problem is approached in a comprehensive manner.

According to experts, one of the best means of combating the disease is Papillock balm. It has no side effects or contraindications, since it contains only herbal ingredients.

Detailed characteristics of papillomavirus 16, 18 strains in women

Papillomavirus types 16 and 18, like all other strains, are quite simple and primitive. Both strains consist of a double circular strand of DNA (they have a total of 10 genes), which are enclosed in a capsid (protein shell). The microorganism itself is small in size (only 55 nm), so contraceptive methods often do not guarantee 100% prevention of infection.

The incubation period of HPV in women lasts from 1 to 5 months after entering the body. Then the virus fully forms its vital properties and strengthens either in human DNA or in the environment of the cell mass. After a favorable period begins, it immediately makes itself felt and manifests itself in the form of pathological growths on the skin or mucous membranes.

With strong immunity, the infection is not activated, and the person may not even know about its existence for the rest of his life. But when the protective function fails, the human papillomavirus in women immediately manifests itself in the form of pathological growths (warts, acrochords, genital warts). Such formations can be a clear sign of the presence of cancer-dangerous strains in the body - 16 or 18. They cause the appearance of cancer cells, and against their background an oncological disease - cervical cancer - can develop. This is why HPV is dangerous for women.

The primary locations for localization of growths are hard-to-reach places (armpits, perineal area, vagina, skin folds). Some people do not feel the virus active because the initial stages may be asymptomatic. But often the first signs of papillomavirus type 16, 18 in women often appear in the form of itching, bloody vaginal discharge or pain. A change in the color of the growth can also signal the advanced stage of the disease. The activity of the infection is also indicated by the rapid formation of small condylomas throughout the body. They significantly affect the quality of life.

How is papillomavirus transmitted? Routes of infection:

• From one sexual partner to another at the moment of intercourse.
• At birth from mother to child.
• Through household contact (using hygiene products and personal belongings of an infected person).

The most favorable period for infection with the HPV virus type 16, 18 in a woman is considered to be a young age, during which she is sexually active, with a change of many partners. Young people are not even aware of the dangers of such an early hobby. To date, there is no drug to completely remove human papillomavirus type 16 DNA from the body. In women, this disease should be detected as early as possible.

If papillomavirus 16, 18 is diagnosed in women, this does not mean that cancer will necessarily develop in the body. The most important thing is timely diagnosis and prescription of adequate, effective comprehensive treatment. First of all, drugs that increase immunity are used (Immunomax, Arbidol, Isoprinosine). Then other effective drugs and methods of combating the disease are used.

Papillomavirus in women - causes

Few people are interested in the question of where does HPV come from? For women, special attention should be paid to this issue.

According to statistics, HPV is in the body of 80% of the fair sex, but remains in a suppressed form. With strong immunity and in the absence of provoking factors (bad habits, promiscuous sex life, hormonal imbalances), the papilloma virus in women (see photo) may never appear. Based on this, it should be noted that the main provoking factor is weakened immunity. When it loses part of its protective functions, female papilloma can immediately appear on any part of the body, including in the throat and vagina. If these manifestations are not stopped and immunomodulatory drugs are not taken, the pathological process can lead to serious consequences.

In addition to the above, other strains also have a certain degree of cancer risk (for example, HPV types 44, 53, 66, 68, 73, 82 in women). There is also a group of non-oncogenic formations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 strains), which are just a cosmetic defect.

Where does the human papillomavirus come from in women (see photo) who lead an exemplary lifestyle? The main source of entry of the harmful microorganism in this case is intrauterine development. The infection also lies dormant in the baby’s body, but as soon as favorable conditions appear, it manifests itself.

What other methods of transmission of papillomavirus exist? In women, the causes of this infection are related to sexual activity. Both at a young and mature age, representatives of the fairer sex are at greater risk of infection than men. Transmission of the HPV virus in women (see photo) occurs through unprotected sexual contact with an untested partner. The largest percentage of diagnosed cases of infection occur precisely for this reason.

If pathological formations appeared only in old age, and before that not a single growth was observed, this may become a sign of those hormonal changes that are characteristic of the menopause.

Regardless of age, female papillomatosis can also develop against the background of strong emotional experiences (see photo). Reasons of this nature are stress, depression, psychological disorders.

As experts note, the reasons for the appearance of condylomas on the body also include excessive sweating or excess weight. This signals a high concentration of toxins in the body, due to which the immune system often weakens, and this is a provoking factor for the activation of a harmful virus.

Diagnosis of HPV in women. How does it work and what tests need to be taken?

The female half of humanity, if there are cosmetic defects on the body, tries to quickly get rid of them. Not everyone understands that such growths can pose a health hazard. How to identify HPV in women and girls?

To accurately determine the type of papillomavirus, it is necessary to undergo a series of studies. They are not painful procedures, but require a psychological attitude.

Diagnosis of HPV in women is carried out through the use of several procedures:

• Inspection. Initially, the gynecologist conducts a visual examination for the appearance of pathological growths.
• Palpation. The perineum (labia minora and labia majora) is examined. If growths, ulcers or condylomas are detected during the examination, a number of additional tests for HPV are prescribed. Papillomavirus in women is most often determined by this method.
• PCR. Polymerase chain reaction is one of the methods for diagnosing the presence of a virus in the body. It allows you to accurately determine the stage of development of the disease, the number and life cycle of the infection. The material for this analysis is blood and urine. A smear for human papillomavirus in women is also suitable for PCR analysis.
• Cytology. This type of diagnosis involves detecting HPV in the affected cell. After infection, healthy cells begin to change their shape, parameters and internal structure. This pathological process is called koilocytosis. The material for cytological examination is scraping. It is performed quite often for HPV in women.
• Digene test. Allows you to determine DNA fragments of oncogenic papillomavirus in any biological material. Also, through this analysis, signs characteristic only of cancer-provoking formations are detected. This test for HPV in women is carried out by a specialized laboratory. The best material for this type of research is blood. A papillomavirus smear is no less popular.

How is a papillomavirus test taken in women? This procedure is carried out directly by a laboratory assistant. To collect material, sterile smear sticks, films or biopsy kits are used. How is a blood test for papillomavirus performed in women? Usually this requires donating blood from a finger, or less often from a vein.

Principles of treatment of HPV in women. Can it be cured?

To prevent infection, a vaccine is used that will protect your body from manifestations of infection activity. But this does not mean that you can continue to be promiscuous and lead a free lifestyle. You should take care of your health and take care of it as best as possible.

If a woman has already been diagnosed with HPV infection, there is no need to worry too much, since an imbalance in the emotional state can aggravate the course of the pathological process. Treatment of papillomavirus in representatives of the beautiful part of humanity comes down to the use of local remedies and general drugs. First of all, immunomodulatory drugs are prescribed (Allokin-Alpha, Isoprinosine).

Regardless of the type of HPV in women, a complex of drugs called Panavir is effectively used. It includes local and general action agents. The basis of this medicine is herbal ingredients, without adding substances harmful to the body. In addition, doctors often prescribe Indinol.

As is known, the consequence of HPV in women is cancer. Therefore, for large growths (especially in the uterus or perineum), surgery is performed to remove papillomas. In this case, one of the methods is used (cryodistraction, electrocoagulation, excision with a laser or electric knife).

If the medical history has developed into an oncological stage, radiation or chemotherapy methods are used to treat malignant tumors.

How dangerous is the papilloma virus?

Is human papillomavirus dangerous? This virus is considered one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. The negative consequences caused by this disease can be prevented with the help of vaccines. The causative agent of human papilloma (HPV) is sometimes confused with HIV or herpes, but in fact it is a separate virus. It is so common that it is very common for sexually active people to become infected with it in their lives. There are many types of this virus. Some of them can cause serious health problems and even cancer.

Possible risks

You can catch papillomavirus as a result of any sexual contact with a person if he has already been infected. The disease can be transmitted even if the infected person shows no outward signs of illness. Any sexual partner can become infected with papilloma, even if he always has sexual intercourse with the same partner. Symptoms can occur years after sex, making it difficult to determine which partner transmitted the infection.

How dangerous is the human papillomavirus? Most often, papilloma goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems.

But if the disease manifests itself, it can cause genital rashes, cancer and some other troubles.

A genital rash usually appears as bumps located in the male or female genital area. The tubercles can be both small and large, both protruding and flat. Doctors often diagnose the disease by examining the genitals.

HPV causes various types of cancer, including:

• cervical cancer;
• vulvar cancer;
• vaginal cancer;
• penile cancer;
• anal cancer.

In addition, it can sometimes cause cancer of the back of the throat, tongue, or tonsils. The tumor can develop for years and even decades from the moment a person becomes infected. The types of virus that cause genital rashes are different from the types that cause cancer. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what the disease will entail in an individual. What is known is that people with weak immune systems (including those with HIV and AIDS) are more likely to develop health problems after contracting papilloma.

Prevention and treatment

There are several things you can do to reduce your chances of getting infected, but the best one is to get a vaccine. This vaccine is very effective and safe. It is able to protect both men and women from various diseases caused by papilloma. The vaccine must be administered 3 times over 6 months. You must get all 3 doses. Women can be screened for cervical cancer. This will help prevent tumors between the ages of 20 and 65.

Sexually active people should use latex condoms every time they have sex. This can significantly reduce the chances of infection. Unfortunately, papilloma can infect areas that are not covered by a condom, so this product cannot guarantee complete protection. Monogamous sexual relationships (with a regular partner) are more effective prevention than using condoms.

All boys and girls aged 11-12 years are expected to be vaccinated. If the vaccination did not take place in childhood, then the appropriate age again is 21 years for men and 26 years for women. Doctors also recommend the vaccine to people of non-standard sexual orientation. The vaccine is especially necessary for people with a weakened immune system for some reason. Unfortunately, there is no specific test that can detect HPV in an individual. It is also impossible to recognize the disease in the mouth or throat. There are tests that are used to screen for cervical cancer. These tests are suitable for women aged 30 years and over.

Most people infected with papilloma do not even suspect that they are infected, since they do not experience any symptoms. Many people discover the disease through a genital rash. Women are most likely to detect the virus through Pap test results. In the worst case, the disease is discovered when cancer has already developed.

There is no medicine that can directly destroy the papilloma virus. There are only ways to treat the symptoms it can cause. A doctor can prescribe treatment for a genital rash. If the rash is not treated, the outcome is unpredictable: it can disappear completely, remain, or increase in size. As for the precancerous condition of the cervix, it is also treated. Other types of cancer that are associated with papilloma are also treated in the initial stages. Timely detection of the disease will be of great importance. However, prevention is always better than cure.

Human papillomavirus in women

IF virus

Human papillomavirus is one of the most common viruses in women, affecting millions of people around the world. This is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. In many cases, infection occurs without any symptoms, and only the appearance of genital warts on the genitals will definitely indicate to you that you are infected.

Of course, there are various tests to determine this disease, for example a Pap test, but often even they cannot show an accurate picture and additional examinations are required in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

This virus belongs to a group of diseases that affect the mucous membranes, and not only women, but also men are at risk. In most cases, this viral disease is not taken seriously, because the appearance of “ordinary warts” is a trifle, “people think.” But it's not that simple. After all, this virus can cause many serious diseases, including cancer.

The majority of the sexually active population of Russia has already “inhabited” this virus, but does not know about it. Many people have encountered the problem of genital warts at least once in their lives. According to statistics, about 80% of women aged 50 years are infected with this virus. Yes, not all people develop malignant tumors, but this is not a reason for peace of mind.

People infect each other due to their ignorance. They calmly have unprotected sex, and at this time the virus calmly penetrates their body. And it doesn’t matter what type of sex people have, be it oral or any other. It is worth mentioning here that condoms cannot protect you completely, since they do not cover the entire skin.

It should be noted that most women are at risk with a low possible transition of the disease to a malignant tumor. Perhaps they will never have external manifestations of infection, because according to doctors, if a woman has good immunity, then she has a better chance of remaining healthy, even if the infection enters the body.

If it is weakened, then in most cases genital warts appear, sometimes precancerous changes are diagnosed, and in rare cases, cancer.

In appearance, these neoplasms resemble small flat tubercles. Some people make an analogy with cauliflower. Several such formations can combine into one large tumor, so if you find one in yourself, you should not delay treatment. Many women, when they experience such problems, complain of burning or itching in the area of ​​the tumor.

Genital warts affect the vaginal area, labia, cervix, groin area or area around the anus. In the case of oral sex, infection of the mucous membrane of the mouth or even throat is possible, but this is rare.

Comparison of virus types

The human papillomavirus is now recognized as one of the main causes of cervical cancer. There are several dozen types of this virus, so scientists divide them into types that are more prone to the formation of cancer cells, and types that cause ordinary warts.

Classification of types of this virus

• 16, 18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58 cause cervical cancer
• 6, 11, 30, 40-45, 51, 54 cause genital warts
• 16, 18, 34, 39, 42, 55 cause precancerous changes
• 6, 11, 30 cause condylomas on the throat
• 3, 10, 27, 28, 41, 49 cause flat warts
• 1, 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 41, 57 cause common warts

High oncogenic risk HPV

HPV types with a higher oncogenic risk most often lead to the development of malignant tumors, while types with a low oncogenic risk very rarely cause anything serious.

High-risk HPVs typically cause changes in skin cells that in most cases lead to the development of cervical cancer, especially if left untreated. Getting infected with a highly oncogenic papillomavirus is not the same as having cancer. As a rule, even these types, if detected in a timely manner, do not cause any health problems, and sometimes go away on their own.

Low oncogenic risk HPV

These species cause genital warts on the genitals, but do not lead to the development of cancer cells. They may appear weeks, months or even years after infection.

HPV testing in women

Mostly, women are suspected of having this viral infection if a Pap smear shows the presence of altered skin cells. You can get an HPV DNA test together with a Pap smear. This test can detect most types of the virus and can help screen for cervical cancer.

All women should have a dad test every 1-3 years if they are sexually active or over 21 years of age.

If a woman is over 65 years old and all her dad tests show normal results (no cancer changes), she can stop taking the test. If the cervix is ​​removed for reasons other than cancer (hysterectomy), testing is not necessary.

Positive Pap test result

A positive result does not necessarily mean you have HPV or cervical cancer. There are many factors that can lead to an error, such as the presence of a yeast infection, irritation, or hormonal changes.

If a woman's Pap test is positive, it is usually repeated to confirm the diagnosis. Doctors may use other research methods:

• Colposcopy: a special device is used to thoroughly examine the uterus for the presence of malignant cells
• Schiller test: This test involves applying an iodine solution to the cervix. Healthy cells turn brown, and abnormal cells turn white or yellow.
• Biopsy: A sample of cervical cells is taken for examination under a microscope

Negative Pap test result

If the Pap test shows a negative result, this means that no changes were found in the epithelium. This is good news and means you have an extremely low chance of developing cervical cancer in the next few years.

Can the virus affect pregnancy?

HPV is unlikely to affect your pregnancy or your baby's health. Vaginal discharge, hormonal changes or changes in the immune system can contribute to the growth of condylomas, since the virus loves a moist environment.

You can infect your child, but the likelihood of this is quite small. Even if your child becomes infected, it will not cause any problems in most cases. If your child gets infected with the type of HPV that causes genital warts, he or she may develop warts, which can be serious, but fortunately this is rare.

HPV infection does not prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. It also does not prevent her from giving birth to a healthy child.. Studies have shown that women infected with HPV are just as likely to have healthy children as those who are not infected.
Genital warts located on the external female genitalia, such as the labia, in some cases can interfere with the baby's passage through the birth canal; in such cases, a cesarean section is used. Warts in the vagina can make it less elastic

If the condylomas are large enough, they are removed surgically, even during pregnancy, and preferably before delivery, to prevent complications.

There are various treatment methods, but not all can be used during pregnancy. If your doctor decides this is necessary, he may use cryoablation, remove them with a laser, electrocautery, or surgery. Naturally, in this case, treating warts with traditional methods is out of the question; everything should be done under the supervision of a doctor

The World Health Organization studied HPV, which is the short name for the human papillomavirus, and found that more than 60% of people on Earth are infected with it. Moreover, some of them are only carriers, while in others it manifests itself in the form of papillomatosis of the skin and mucous membranes, but in some cases the human papillomavirus causes cell degeneration and cancer.

Such a high prevalence and oncogenicity of this virus has aroused particular interest among doctors and scientists in it. The development of a vaccine against the human papillomavirus has been underway for a long time. It is not possible to completely destroy HPV, although there are already ways to detect it, and even a vaccine. Difficulties in fighting the virus arise due to the nature of its spread and the lack of medications for a complete cure. What is the human papillomavirus, how to avoid getting infected, the symptoms of the disease, what the treatment consists of, the peculiarities of its course in women and men, as well as preventive measures - we will consider such questions below.

How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?

Many people are interested in how you can become infected with the human papillomavirus? Surprisingly, you can become infected in different ways, which contributes to the spread of the virus around the globe. The virus is transmitted from one person to another through contact and household contact, that is, it is impossible to avoid infection due to the fact that a person cannot live outside of society and not use household items.

The worst thing is that even a newborn baby can get this virus from the mother during childbirth, when it passes through the birth canal. In many cases, this is detected already in the first years of life, when the baby develops papillomas in the mouth and on the skin.

How is the human papillomavirus transmitted and spread? Most often you can become infected in the following cases.

Of course, there are HPVs that affect certain organs and tissues, but their high prevalence in the population often causes illness. But what about those 40% of the population in whom the virus is not detected? The fact is that the virus cannot always survive in a strong body; there are factors that contribute to its survival.

Causes of infection

In what cases a person becomes infected with HPV or becomes its carrier is easy to determine. Our immune system fights any foreign elements that enter the skin or body.

When a small amount of the virus enters a healthy body with good immunity, the immune cells destroy it and infection does not occur. But if a person is weakened, he has metabolic disorders.

People become infected with the virus if they have:

Why is the human papillomavirus dangerous if it is so difficult to avoid infection with it?

Types of strains and diseases they cause

Several strains of HPV have been identified, each of them adapted to live in certain human cells. Many strains, for example 2, 4, 26, 29, 57, cause the development of common warts on the skin. Others are capable of causing the development of genital warts (6, 42, 11, 54), but at the same time, strains 6 and 11 can be detected in the respiratory tract or in cancer of the lungs, neck, and head.

The ability of a virus to increase the likelihood of developing a tumor by changing the cells of the human body is called oncogenicity. Therefore, among human papilloma viruses, there are strains that do not have this ability, and when infected, a person develops warts, papillomas on the skin and mucous membranes. They can also be dangerous, but are fairly easily treated with surgery. After their removal, they rarely recur and are therefore classified as benign neoplasms.

The human papillomavirus of a particularly high oncogenic type most often affects the reproductive organs of women. The strains that cause it are human papillomavirus types 16 and 18. Cancer-causing strains can also include 31, 39, 35, 33 and many other strains. Therefore, they are the ones who are trying to identify them in women when testing for HPV.

The presence of such strains in a woman’s body can lead to serious cancer, such as cervical cancer or squamous cell carcinoma.

Symptoms of the disease

Signs of diseases caused by the human papillomavirus vary. It depends on the strain the person is infected with. When infected with a strain that causes the development of papillomas and warts, they appear on the skin and mucous membranes, but this is not the only sign. How else does the human papillomavirus manifest itself? One of the most striking manifestations of HPV is genital warts. These are mastoid formations of pink color, most often they are lighter than the mucous membrane, but sometimes they have a brighter color. Gathering in a group of several pieces, they look like a rooster's comb or a cauliflower inflorescence. Their detection indicates that the patient has HPV, which needs to be treated.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus in men may differ from those found in women. Of course, this is due to the different structure of their reproductive organs. The mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix is ​​more favorable for the virus. It is there that genital warts arise, and they can degenerate and become malignant. Their appearance, as well as changes in the skin and oral mucosa, are obvious symptoms of the human papillomavirus.

Signs of human papillomavirus infection in women

The human papillomavirus in women affects the mucous membrane of the reproductive organs and the cervix. Sometimes polyps, the development of which is also associated with HPV, can also form in the uterine cavity, which can cause bleeding and infertility in young women. But an even greater danger is the virus’s ability to affect mucosal cells and change them.

Some highly oncogenic types of human papillomavirus in women are capable of changing mucosal cells in the cervix, which causes dysplasia and aplasia. This is uncontrolled reproduction, which in more than half of cases leads to the development of a malignant tumor. Most often, cancer of the cervix is ​​caused by human papilloma viruses type 16 or 18.

Viruses 6 and 11 are also often detected, which contribute to the formation of genital and flat condylomas - they are considered a precancerous disease, as they often precede dysplasia. Treatment consists of their mandatory removal, followed by histological examination of the tissue under a microscope.

The human papillomavirus is also dangerous during pregnancy. Although the virus does not penetrate the amniotic fluid and thus cannot infect the child, there is a high probability of infection if a woman has genital warts in her vagina. Then the child can become infected during childbirth, which leads to the development of papillomatosis of the oral cavity and pharynx.

Treatment against the papilloma virus is not carried out during pregnancy, since medications can have an adverse effect on the fetus. Only in the third trimester can certain antiviral drugs be prescribed. Therefore, if you are planning to become pregnant, you need to undergo an examination in advance and be tested for various infections so that this does not harm your baby.

Human papillomavirus infection in men

Human papillomavirus is also common in men, but due to differences in the structure of the genital organs, it usually affects the skin around the anus and the rectal mucosa.

It is in these areas that the development of genital warts is observed, and they often lead to squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum.

Methods for detecting human papillomavirus

The high oncogenicity of some HPV strains requires their timely detection. For this purpose, several tests have been developed that can detect the virus if its concentration in tissues is increased and can cause their degeneration. There is, of course, a test for cytological examination of cells (PAP test), which is included in a number of preventive measures when examining women, but a cytological examination can show already changed cells, and this analysis is not specific for HPV.

A laboratory test for human papillomavirus is called an HPV test. It differs from the PAP test in that it is performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It allows you to isolate and study the DNA of viruses of a certain type and their concentration in the collected material.

How are women usually tested for human papillomavirus? Usually, this is done by scraping from the cervix, less often from the urethra or cervical canal. This test is very specific and allows you to identify not only the type of virus, but also its concentration in tissues. Test shown:

• when genital warts are detected in the genital and anal areas;
• if the PAP test reveals cell degeneration (dysplasia);
• during a preventive examination.

Detection of the virus during an HPV test does not always indicate cancer. So, in the absence of dysplasia, the woman remains under observation and the test is repeated after 6 months. Repeated detection of HPV, especially its highly oncogenic strains 16 and 18, indicates the risk of developing an oncological tumor in the cervix and the need for treatment. Antiviral and immunomodulating drugs are used for treatment. The examination must be repeated, since the high concentration of these strains suggests that the patient is at risk.

A positive HPV test with second-degree cervical dysplasia requires surgical intervention, namely removal of the uterus, an operation called extirpation. Not only the affected uterine tissue is removed, but in some cases it is necessary to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This is necessary if there is a suspicion of tumor metastasis. Computer, magnetic resonance imaging, PET-CT helps to identify early metastasis.

Treatment of human papillomavirus

When human papillomavirus is detected in women, treatment is most often surgical. Pointed papillomas are removed by excision; sometimes cauterization is used with a laser, electrocoagulator, or cryotherapy. A histological examination of the tissue must be done to exclude degeneration into a cancerous tumor. Therefore, the method of cryotherapy for genital warts is not always indicated, since the cells are damaged more during such removal, which can lead to erroneous analysis.

For flat condylomas, which are more often found on the cervix or vaginal mucosa, a biopsy is done. That is, they take a piece of tissue for analysis, and if there is no dysplasia, then they cut out the condyloma along with a section of adjacent tissue. When cell degeneration is detected, a more radical operation is required, and in some cases extirpation.

How else can human papillomavirus be treated? When there is no cell dysplasia, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Before prescribing, you need to determine the type of virus, since the prescription regimens and medications that are used for them are different for different types of the virus. There is no point in taking antiviral medications without a doctor's prescription, since many of them are ineffective against some types of HPV. At the same time, it is necessary to use nonspecific treatment, which is aimed at increasing general immunity.

Can human papillomavirus be cured? Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of it. Once infected, a person remains a carrier for life. You can only reduce its activity, and for this you need to promptly remove papillomas and condylomas, take antiviral drugs prescribed by the doctor, and, most importantly, help the body overcome the virus itself. A healthy lifestyle is not an easy word; a person who takes care of his health, eats right, plays sports, thereby increases his immunity. A good immune system can prevent infection and prevent the virus from developing quietly in the body, causing disease.

Will traditional treatment help?

If the human papillomavirus is detected in a woman, then treatment with folk remedies cannot be carried out!

Folk remedies cope well with skin papillomas or warts, so many try to cure condylomas in the same way. This is dangerous and in some cases has the opposite effect, increasing uterine dysplasia. Removal must be carried out in medical clinics in order to necessarily conduct a histological examination of the material for dysplasia.

Among folk remedies, those that help increase overall immunity may be useful. Many of them can also be used in children to avoid contracting the virus at home.

Specific and nonspecific prevention

As for methods of nonspecific prevention, these are, of course, maintaining hygiene, rules of conduct in public places, increasing general immunity and the need to avoid promiscuous sexual intercourse.

Methods of specific prevention are vaccines, the development of which has been carried out for more than 30 years. Currently, there is a vaccine called Gardasil, which is used to vaccinate children and young girls before becoming sexually active. The vaccine can be used from the age of 9 years. In adults, the result of vaccination has no effect, since the vaccine does not work when infection has already occurred. The Gardasil vaccine is aimed at the 4 most common strains of the human papillomavirus, namely 16, 18 and 6, 11. And if you are already infected with any of these types of virus, then vaccination will help you avoid infection with the others.

The human papillomavirus, especially some of its highly oncogenic types, often leads to the development of a malignant tumor, so you need to promptly consult a doctor if you suspect infection and undergo regular preventive examinations. In no case should you self-medicate, since there are many observations where cell dysplasia increased during self-medication, which significantly changed the prognosis of the disease and could lead to metastasis.

Unaesthetic neoplasms on the skin do not become an adornment to its owner. However, often the person who has them takes this fact lightly. At the same time, experts no longer think about the question, are papillomas dangerous? The answer became known a long time ago, and doctors strongly advise getting rid of them in order to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.

Are papillomas harmful?

Papilloma looks like a small bulge above the surface of the skin. It can be based on a wide base or located on a leg. The size and color of the growths are also different; new growths can be flesh-colored, pink or brown. Why are papillomas dangerous? Firstly, this neoplasm is, albeit benign, a tumor that over time, in the absence of specific treatment, can lead to a cancerous process. Secondly, the danger of papilloma lies in its ability to migrate in the body, that is, to spread throughout the body. The presence of papilloma in a person is always dangerous, since it gradually leads to the development of cancer.

What is PVI and is human papillomavirus dangerous?

According to the latest statistics provided by the World Health Organization, almost 80% of all humanity is susceptible to HPV infection, that is, these people are diagnosed with papillomavirus infection - PVI. Is papillomavirus dangerous? At the moment, thanks to numerous studies in the field of microbiology, it was possible to identify and study the properties of 130 species of this pathogen. All of them, depending on the degree of risk of provoking the development of malignant processes in the human body, are divided into 3 groups. The danger of papillomavirus is determined in the laboratory by belonging to one of them.

Which HPV is the most dangerous?

Thanks to molecular diagnostics, today it has become possible to determine the DNA of the virus in samples of biological material and determine whether the HPV present in the body of the person being examined is dangerous:

• Strain DNA types 1, 2, 3 and 5 are non-oncogenic;
• DNA of papillomaviruses 6, 11, 42, 43 and 44 have weak properties regarding the ability to provoke the development of oncological processes;
• The papillomavirus is most dangerous if it is determined that its genotype is type 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 or 68. The danger of these HPV strains is due to their high carcinogenic properties.

The most malignant types of microorganisms in terms of cancer include 15 genotypes of the virus. Only a qualified specialist should interpret the results obtained as a result of a specialized examination, since a lot of data plays a role in diagnosis, and not just the numerical indicators of the tests. But it is still recommended to have a general understanding of why HPV of one type or another is dangerous.

Of all the pathogen strains that have an increased carcinogenic risk, the high danger of human papillomavirus is also represented by genotypes 16 and 18. They account for almost 70% of the identified cases of infection. How dangerous HPV of these types can be judged by the list of cancers, the development of which they provoke: adenocarcinomas, cancer of the cervix, anus, malignant lesions of the vagina, vulva and penis, oral cavity, larynx.

If, as a result of the examination, papilloma (HPV) is diagnosed, is it dangerous? Many patients ask this question after receiving a positive test result.

The doctor deciphers the results obtained, as well as assesses the threat of the human papillomavirus identified during a specific examination. This is due to the fact that in addition to the presence of the pathogen in the human body, it is necessary to take into account such a factor as the viral load. It consists of determining the concentration of virus genotypes in the patient’s biological material at the time of examination, on which the degree of threat of cancer development directly depends. In order to determine why human papilloma detected during the examination is dangerous, it is necessary to take into account some features of the infectious process. These include:

• Among infections that are transmitted during sexual contacts of any kind, HPV occupies a leading place (up to 80%).
• When young women are initially infected, if their immunity is at the proper level, 75% of them can self-heal without any specific therapy within 1-1.5 years from the moment of infection. This phenomenon is called self-elimination. As age increases, the ability to do so decreases.
• Infection with papillomavirus and disease are not the same thing. Carriage of the virus in the body leads to the development of precancerous changes in tissues in less than 1% of patients.
• At least 10-20 years pass from the moment the pathogen enters the body until the activation of cancer processes, which is associated with age-related weakening of the protective mechanisms of the human body.
• The infectious process is very insidious and often occurs asymptomatically until malignant changes begin.
• Another feature that determines why the papilloma virus is dangerous is that the clinical manifestations of this disease are often similar in symptoms to other diseases of the genitourinary system. This leads to the fact that it is not always possible to determine the infection in a timely manner using traditional examination methods.

Which papillomas are most dangerous?

Growths can exist on human skin and mucous membranes for many years and remain unchanged. The following symptoms indicate the beginning of the degeneration of cells into cancer:

• at the site of the tumor, a person begins to experience a feeling of compression and pain;
• the papilloma itself darkens to black;
• the skin around the appendage becomes red and swollen;
• papilloma can become inflamed. At the same time, if you remove the crust that has formed on its surface, the secretion of ichor will begin.

If a person notices the appearance of one or more of the listed symptoms, he should immediately seek specialized help, since such signs of HPV activity are deadly.

Can you die from HPV?

If there is a human papillomavirus in the body, the genotype of which belongs to the group of high carcinogenic risk, you should not ignore the recommendations of the attending physician regarding monitoring the dynamics of the infectious process, as well as specific treatment. Despite the fact that the period of time between infection and the onset of disease progression is quite long, without therapeutic intervention the threat of developing cancer processes increases every year.

With adequate medical supervision and timely complex therapy, it is possible to prevent the onset of the oncological process. In addition, today in the pharmaceutical field there is an active search aimed at developing new and improved vaccines that can counteract human papillomavirus infection. Death does not occur specifically from HPV; this is possible due to the development of an oncological process.

What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?

Papilloma is a benign neoplasm.

Many people, having noticed such a growth on themselves, consider it a cosmetic defect, but only a few know what it is and how it really is dangerous.

Let's consider this issue in more detail, because, according to medical statistics, a large part of the population is infected with the papilloma virus, which means this problem can affect everyone.

What is it

Papilloma (or wart) is a growth on the skin or mucous membrane, which is a symptom of human infection with papillomavirus.

This virus has a huge number of subspecies, depending on which skin formations may differ in shape, location and degree of danger.

• The color of papillomas usually varies from flesh-colored to brown, and on the genitals - to reddish-bluish, which depends on the pigment content or blood vessels in the structure of this formation.
• Warts can be round, flat, conical, or resemble a cauliflower inflorescence or a bunch of broken threads.
• The structure of papillomas also differs from each other in density and can have a soft, elastic or keratinized surface. Some formations remain small throughout their existence, others grow to large sizes.

Species

Some types of papillomas are more common than others and have already been studied quite well, since doctors constantly have to deal with them:

• simple (vulgar) papillomas- hard, keratinized growths that are usually found on the fingers and hands, and in children also on the knees. Sometimes they disappear on their own over time;
• plantar warts often confused with ordinary calluses. They also cause discomfort when walking, but unlike papillomas, a skin pattern can be distinguished on the surface of the callus, and the wart also has a noticeable protruding rim;
• flat papillomas not necessarily round in shape, more often even irregular. They cause inflammation and redness of the surrounding skin and are very itchy.
• filiform papillomas grow in length. They can appear as a growth in the form of a single thread or a whole bunch; they often appear on the body of people of middle age and older. Usually formed on the face, neck, under the arms;
• genital warts often found in intimate areas: the external genitalia, around the urethra and anus, and in women - in the vagina and cervix.

Doctors already know what the most dangerous type of human papillomavirus is. These are types 16 or 18, because they are the common cause of the development of malignant tumors from papilloma.

Regardless of the type of papillomas, modern medicine recommends removing them.

Photo

Causes

The appearance of papillomas on the body occurs as a result of infection with the human papilloma virus, which is why it is dangerous, we will consider further below.

For this virus to penetrate the body, microdamages on the skin or mucous membranes are sufficient. Invading epithelial cells, the virus begins to multiply.

But no matter what virus penetrates the body, it always encounters a protector – the immune system.

In the case of HPV, a healthy immune system can keep the virus in a latent (inactive) phase for a long time, so that a person will not even suspect its presence.

And only when the natural defense weakens for various reasons, the virus cells begin to actively divide and form growths on the skin.

Risk group

Avoiding human papillomavirus infection is difficult, and some people are even more likely to become infected.

Photo: risk factor - unprotected sex

Persons at risk include:

• recent infectious diseases;
• having inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
• with metabolic disorders;
• HIV-infected;
• with immunodeficiency conditions;
• frequently changing sexual partners;
• pregnant women, since during pregnancy the immune system weakens.

There are other factors that weaken the body and reduce its resistance to disease:

• presence of bad habits;
• lack of proper rest;
• constant nervous tension, stressful situations;
• heavy physical or mental stress.

In all these conditions, the possibility of HPV infection increases several times.

Locations

What localization sites do papillomas choose?

Photo: presence of a tumor in the nasal cavity

• They can be found on any part of the body and even some internal organs.
• Favorite places for some types of papillomas can be the face, neck, and area under the armpit. They can be found in the mouth or intimate places.
• And some formations even grow in the throat, on the vocal cords or on the bladder and its ducts, thereby disrupting the normal functioning of the body.

In such cases, the question is: “Are papillomas dangerous?” usually does not cause thought, but requires prompt medical intervention.

On the neck

Very often, papillomas grow on the neck.

Women especially suffer from this, as these growths spoil their appearance.

• More often, filamentous papillomas form here. People call them a sign of old age. Indeed, most often these formations can be found in people over 40 years of age. This is why even for women, the appearance of growths on the neck develops into psychological discomfort.
• But, in addition, such localization is also unsafe for the formation, since it is easy to injure here.

However, it is easy to explain the appearance of warts in this particular area.

• The neck is open to external influences, thin skin is easily rubbed or injured by clothing and jewelry - and now the entry gates for the virus are open.
• By adjusting the collar or belt of your handbag and touching an area with microdamage, it is very easy to introduce the virus.

Photo: neoplasms on the neck and back

What is the danger of papillomas

The main danger of papillomas is their possible degeneration into malignant formations.

Scientists have determined which types of HPV pose the greatest danger to humans.

These are viruses of types 16 and 18, since in the overwhelming majority of cases they cause malignancy (degeneration) of tumors.

For men

• More often than not, men are carriers of papillomavirus, but even in them, the resulting papillomas can cause a wide variety of diseases and interfere with sexual activity.
• Virus type 16 is dangerous for men because it causes bowenoid papulosis or Bowen's disease.

Both diseases can become malignant.

For women

In addition to HPV types 16 and 18, women’s health is threatened by the following types of this virus: 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52.

They contribute to the appearance of dysplasia and erosion of the cervix, which can then become malignant.

• The peculiarity of the appearance of papillomas in the vagina or cervix is ​​that they are completely painless and asymptomatic.
• Often such formations are discovered only by a doctor when a woman comes for a medical examination.

This is why it is important for women to consult a gynecologist at least once a year.

Why can they become inflamed?

Photo: development of the inflammatory process

Papillomas can become inflamed in the following cases:

• trauma to the neoplasm (compression, friction, disruption of integrity), this also includes unprofessional removal of papillomas;
• the beginning of the degeneration of the neoplasm, inflammation is usually combined with other signs (ulceration, increase in size, etc.).

Regardless of whether you know the cause of the inflammation (for example, you accidentally touched and tore off a papilloma) or not, if it changes, you should consult a doctor.

He will determine the degree of danger of this neoplasm and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Video: “Dangerous symptoms for women”

Treatment

Treatment of HPV involves a set of measures.

A unilateral approach will not only be ineffective, but will also trigger the situation, while the virus will develop further in the body.

• The first treatment measure is the removal of existing papillomas. It is necessary to undergo a full examination to detect (or exclude the presence of) neoplasms on the entire surface of the skin and mucous membranes. A dermatologist, urologist, and gynecologist will help with this. The cells of papillomas are filled with the virus, so if all formations are not removed, the virus will progress.
• In parallel with the removal of tumors, antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed. Their goal: to damage the cells of the virus, stop its further reproduction and strengthen the body’s own defense, since only the immune system can best defeat the virus.

Your doctor will help you select the appropriate medications, and the first indicator of the effectiveness of treatment will be the absence of relapses.

How to remove warts and papillomas on the legs and arms using traditional methods?

What papillomas on the head look like, see photo here.

Removal methods

There are several different methods for removing tumors that are effective against papillomas:

1. removal by chemical action– papilloma tissues are burned with caustic substances, which are applied very precisely so as not to cause damage to healthy skin;
2. cryodestruction– when frozen with liquid nitrogen, all vital processes in the neoplasm stop, as a result of which it dries out and falls off.
3. laser removal– not only burns papilloma tissue, but also seals blood vessels, preventing bleeding and infection. If the specialist performing the procedure is highly qualified, no scars remain at the site of the papilloma;
4. electrocoagulation– use of electric current to burn out papilloma. Unlike laser removal, it is more difficult to calculate the force of impact, which can lead to the formation of a scar in the future;
5. radio wave removal– a safe and effective procedure for removing papillomas, after which a histological examination is possible;
6. surgical removal– suitable for large papillomas, removing which along with adjacent tissues prevents the risk of relapse. Rarely used on open areas of the body as it leaves scars. The direct indication for this procedure is the suspicion of a malignant neoplasm.

The choice of the appropriate removal method depends on the specific case, size and location of the papilloma.

Is it possible to delete it yourself?

Many people prefer not to consult a doctor, but to remove papillomas that have arisen on their own; fortunately, the public pharmacy has a huge amount of advice for this case.

They use everything to get rid of these formations: celandine juice, garlic, dandelion, aloe, iodine, castor oil and even a thread with which the papilloma is tightly tied at the base, which disrupts its nutrition.

As a result, even if it was possible to get rid of the papilloma itself, the virus continues to develop in the body, which leads to the emergence of new formations.

The most common complication of such unprofessional intervention is inflammation of the wound from papillomas, which spreads to surrounding tissues.

It is important to understand how dangerous removing papillomas on your own can be.

It can lead not only to a surge in the activity of the virus, but also to the integration of its DNA into the cell genome, which leads to the development of a malignant tumor.

Therefore, it is better to immediately entrust the solution to this serious problem to specialists.

Prevention

Even if it is very difficult to protect yourself from HPV at all, following some tips will help reduce the risks of the most dangerous varieties of this virus entering the body:

• thoroughly perform hand hygiene after visiting public places; you can have antibacterial wipes or gel with you to treat your hands after visiting, for example, a store or traveling on public transport;
• be careful when visiting public swimming pools, baths, saunas; in a humid environment the virus is most active, use individual slippers, hair caps, try not to touch walls or benches with naked parts of your body;
• if you are completely unsure about the health of your sexual partner, use condoms during sexual intercourse;
• Get your daughters aged 10 to 14 vaccinated, which will protect them against the most dangerous type of HPV, which causes cervical cancer;
• take care of your immunity, try to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and diet, and devote enough time to rest.

What to do if papillomas on the neck itch?

How to cure papillomas in the anus? Find out here.

Is mammary papilloma dangerous? Read here.

A strong immune system can hold back the development of the virus for years, so take care of your health.

Papillomas can be quite dangerous, regardless of their location.

There is always a risk of injury or degeneration.

Therefore, do not take these tumors lightly, but consult a doctor for advice.

Video: “Human papillomavirus: a danger that many do not know about”

What to do with papilloma - remove it or wait for it to disappear on its own?

Externally, the papilloma looks like a small convex element, which is attached to the integument with a stalk or a wide base. The color of the growth varies from flesh-colored to dark brown, and its character is defined as benign.

The size of warty formations varies. In some people, small nodules remain practically unnoticeable and do not cause significant discomfort; in another category of papillomavirus carriers, the site of introduction of the strain turns into a large lesion and creates a cosmetic problem.

Should I remove the papilloma or wait for it to disappear?

Can papillomas disappear on their own? First you need to understand the mechanism of their appearance. The main reason for the formation of tumors is infection of the body with one of the strains of the papilloma virus (HPV). The event occurs as a result of contact with the carrier of the pathogen; it is enough just to come into contact with the skin of an infected person or use his personal hygiene items. And one more culprit for all this is weakened immunity, which has lost the ability to resist the pest.

When the body's defenses are strengthened, the growths may disappear unnoticed. This “behavior” is characteristic of juvenile warts, the formation of which occurs in adolescence due to the immune system not fully strengthened. Therefore, after some time, the young man may notice that there are no more warts.

In other cases, the answer to the question of whether papillomas need to be removed will be given by an experienced dermatologist or venereologist. But first, he will assess the nature of the growth and the depth of its ingrowth into the layers of the epidermis, and then he will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Carrying out drug therapy involves taking immunomodulatory drugs:

• Inosine Pranobex;
• Cidofovir;
• Interferon.

If during the examination it turns out that the cause of low immunity is diseases of the internal organs, the intervention of a highly specialized specialist will be required. After receiving adequate therapy, it is quite possible that the body will cope with the problem on its own. But most often, patients have to visit the doctor again for hardware removal of an unattractive tumor.

So is it worth removing papillomas? If we take into account the fact that their frequent trauma can become a factor predisposing to the development of melanoma, then the answer will be unequivocal - it is advisable to get rid of the growth as soon as possible. Especially if it is in a place of constant friction against clothing. The reason for removing a wart should be a sharp growth of its body, a change in shape and color.

Subtleties of treatment of papillomatous elements

Unsightly formations can be removed in a clinic or at home. Many patients prefer traditional methods of treatment because they do not know whether it really hurts to remove papillomas using hardware methods.

After reading various reviews, a person forgets about the presence of a pain threshold inherent in each individual organism. But often bad reviews about procedures are left by patients with a low pain threshold.

In general, the sensations that arise during the removal of warts using hardware methods are comparable to a short-term electric discharge. All procedures are carried out within a few minutes and do not require anesthesia.

Is it dangerous to remove papillomas in a clinic or beauty salon? The answer to this question can be an affirmative “no,” since none of the techniques causes bleeding of the freed skin area. If a person is afraid of pain, he has the right to ask the doctor for local treatment of the lesion with an anesthetic.

We list modern procedures, the implementation of which leads to the elimination of growth:

1. electrocoagulation – cauterization with high frequency current;
2. cryodestruction - cold exposure of the wart with liquid nitrogen;
3. laser therapy – evaporation of papilloma to the very root;
4. radio wave surgery performed using the Surgitron apparatus.

Home methods for reducing papillomas are good for eliminating small elements. People ask whether it is possible to cauterize papillomas with celandine. If the doctor has approved this manipulation, why not try to get rid of the growth in a non-medicinal way.

When the fight against neoplasms falls during the flowering period of the grass, which people nicknamed warthog due to its ability to cleanse the skin of viral elements, it is cut down at the root and the bright juice that emerges is sprinkled on the growth several times a day.

However, we should not forget that celandine is a poisonous gift of nature, so the effect of its juice is comparable to getting a burn. This is the essence of treatment with succulent grass, but neglecting the rules for its use is fraught with scars and burns.

Are there any advantages to using celandine against papillomatosis? If the doctor's recommendations are followed, the patient receives an effective and free product that will help cope with a cosmetic defect in a few weeks.

Is it possible to cauterize papillomas with iodine? Before using this substance, it is recommended to wash and dry the pathological focus. Then the surrounding skin must be protected with a rich cream, and iodine should be dropped onto the growth itself or lubricated with a cotton swab. Regular use of iodine for 2 weeks gives excellent results in the form of the element falling off on its own.

How to deal with papillomas on the body

Growths on the skin in the form of papillomas spoil the appearance and interfere with a person’s normal physical activity. But there is an even more important reason to get rid of them: papillomas on the body pose a serious threat to health, as they can develop into a malignant formation.

Papillomas are benign skin-colored formations that externally resemble a papilla. They appear in any person, even a child. If the wart is solitary and does not cause any inconvenience, it is simply ignored. Most often it grows at the junction of the mucous membrane and the skin; it can appear on the inside of the thigh and shoulders. It is small, but grows quickly and, if not alone, can form entire colonies. Often papillomas grow on the face and appear on the palms and soles of the feet.

Reason for appearance

Such formations on the body are confirmation that a person is infected with one of the human papillomaviruses. And the reason for the appearance of warts on the body lies precisely in them. Statistics show that only one person out of ten is not a carrier of any virus. Therefore, the likelihood of infection with the subsequent appearance of numerous papillomas on the body is very high.

How does infection occur?

To become infected with the human papillomavirus, special conditions are required. There is a high probability of transmission of the virus if personal hygiene measures are not observed. Any direct person-to-person contact is dangerous, during which the virus can enter the body:

• you can become infected from a simple handshake if you sit down at the table afterward without washing your hands;
• if one of your family members has papillomas, you can simply become infected through a towel or washcloth;
• the child becomes infected from a sick mother at birth;
• The greatest danger of transmission of the virus occurs during sexual contact, which is enhanced by the alkaline environment and microcracks in the genitals.

A person can remain a carrier of the virus for a long time without showing signs of the disease. That is why for a long time he makes no attempt to get rid of it.

How to prevent activation of human papillomavirus infection

Despite the fact that most of humanity on earth is infected with the virus, not everyone develops papilloma warts on their bodies. The reason is that, upon entering the human body, the virus encounters active resistance from the immune system. Thanks to good immunity, when an infection enters cells, it does not disrupt their normal metabolism, multiplies very slowly and seems to go to sleep. It can remain in this state without external manifestations for a very long time, sometimes throughout life, until one reason or another causes a failure of the immune system. One of them that can activate the virus is nervous shock.

Therefore, in order to prevent the activation of the papilloma virus in the body, attention should first be paid to increasing immunity.

How much treatment is needed?

If warts grow, you need to understand the nature of their occurrence, why they grow, how dangerous they are, whether they are oncogenic, and what treatment is required.

Why do you need to conduct a laboratory test for the presence of a virus and determine its type? Each virus has its own number and its own degree of danger. For example:

• from vulgar, juvenile and plantar papillomas, mainly only aesthetic problems arise, they look so unpleasant in the photo;
• HPV numbers 16 and 18 lead to the formation of malignant tumors, and they are especially dangerous for women.

Treatment of papilloma should be carried out immediately after the virus is diagnosed in the body. Getting rid of it is not so easy, so you need to not only remove the formation, but also treat it with antiviral drugs and pay attention to strengthening the immune system. It is necessary to understand the reasons for its decline, to identify why there was a failure in the immune system.

After removal of the papillomas, the patient remains a carrier of the virus for a long time.

You can get rid of papillomas using folk remedies, but it is better to be treated for them in a hospital or clinic: in medical institutions, treatment is carried out using the most modern methods quickly, painlessly and without leaving a trace. This is confirmed by photos left by patients.

Treatment using modern medicine methods

When contacting a medical institution, removal of growths is carried out mainly by means of thermal and electrocoagulation, cryo- and chemical, as well as laser destruction. All of them are aimed at burning papilloma from body tissues.

Occasionally, some clinics use radiosurgery to remove tumors using high-frequency radio waves.

Let us tell you in more detail about the methods of tumor removal available today.

• Cryodestruction. Provides treatment using freezing with liquid nitrogen, which eliminates papillomas quickly and painlessly. After two days, only a small spot remains.
• Electrocoagulation. Growths on the skin can be removed with electric current by local impact on problem areas. The disadvantage of the method is visible in the photo; these are scars. Although they also pass in two to three weeks.
• Thermocoagulation. The method requires special care, since neoplasms are removed as a result of exposure to high temperatures. Allows you to get rid of problems quickly - the scab from cauterization disappears after a few days.
• Chemical destruction. Treatment is carried out with various chemical agents, resulting in complete destruction of the tissue. This method can also remove warts at home using folk remedies.
• Laser destruction. A modern method that allows you to get rid of tumors with a surgical laser. Compared to other means, the method is considered the most expensive.

Folk remedies

Skin growths have always been fought with folk remedies. The only question is how effective they are against the backdrop of the impressive achievements of hardware medicine. Of course, it is possible to strengthen the immune system with folk herbal decoctions. There are many recipes for this that have come into modern times from ancient times, when it was possible to get rid of warts by using various folk methods externally.

One of them is the use of natural means at hand.

• A mixture of 100 ml of alcohol, 2.5 g of iodine and aspirin, 2 g of boric acid.
• Balls made of vinegar and flour.
• Ammonia on a cotton swab.

Lubrication with castor oil.

You can remove papillomas on the body with castor oil, or rather, the acid contained in it. To do this, the problem area needs to be lubricated with castor oil twice a day, covering it with a bandage or bandage. After 6 procedures, papillomas begin to fall off.

There are many recipes for treatment with folk remedies. You just need to remember that the approach to treatment should be comprehensive, that is, include strengthening the immune system, taking antiviral medications and externally applied to problem areas.

How is human papillomavirus transmitted?

Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.

Some types of neoplasms pose a serious danger to humans.

Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple rules of prevention.

What is it

The human papillomavirus is part of a group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.

This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 types.

Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups. About 60% of the world's population are its carriers.

The danger lies not only in the question “is the virus contagious,” but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.

Papillomaviruses live and actively reproduce in the basal layer of the skin. At the same time, they are capable of spreading from one organism to another.

It has been proven that the virus can develop for a short time in the external environment, but usually its entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.

Most types of the virus are not dangerous to human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the occurrence of malignant or benign tumors.

They can be classified as follows:

• safe (if we consider the likelihood of developing cancer). They occur without pronounced symptoms and are not dangerous to the human body;
• low risk. When they enter the body, genital warts occur in 90% of cases. Cell mutation can be observed in isolated cases;
• high risk. In the presence of certain factors, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and provoke the degeneration of cells into atypical ones.

There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the bodies of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.

Photo

Methods of infection

Given the prevalence of the virus, it is necessary to know how papilloma is transmitted.

• HPV can be transmitted by contact or vertical (from mother to fetus during pregnancy) method.
• Contact includes the contact-household and sexual routes.
• Can you get a virus through a kiss? This is also possible if the infected person has condylomas caused by HPV in the oral cavity.
• The fetus can become infected through a damaged placenta. Laboratory studies revealed the likelihood of infection due to toxicosis.

Prerequisites for infection

The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through household contact.

• In the latter case, ordinary communication with a human carrier does not always lead to infection. One of the conditions under which the likelihood of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin. The risk of infection is high when there are scratches, cuts, wounds, and abrasions on the skin.
• Due to a decrease in general and local immunity, the body's defense reactions worsen. With insufficient production of class A antibodies, the normal functioning of the immune system is disrupted, and the body's susceptibility to viruses and infections increases.

Various sexually transmitted infectious diseases can act as a provoking factor contributing to infection with papillomavirus: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.

The standard manifestation of papillomavirus in such a situation is the appearance of condylomas on the genitals.

Deterioration of immunity indicators is observed against the background of disturbances in the microflora of the vagina and intestines. The immune system of people with HIV is severely affected.

The papillomavirus is activated under the following conditions:

• the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
• acute stage of any chronic diseases;
• poor working conditions;
• hypothermia;
• congenital immunodeficiency condition;
• acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
• stressful conditions;
• poor nutrition.

The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.

After infection, it may take several years for symptoms to appear, which become more pronounced during a period of weakened immunity.

Photo: infection can occur through a handshake

Ways of transmission of papilloma

The papilloma virus is transmitted through household contact:

• through handshakes;
• through general personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
• due to trying on someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
• when visiting public baths, saunas.

The sexual route of infection is especially dangerous, since the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.

People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.

• This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual relations, since during such sexual intercourse there is a high probability of injury to the skin and mucous membranes.
• Also, the likelihood of transmitting the virus to each other during sexual intercourse increases if the partner has genital warts - they are easy to injure and are very contagious.

Human papillomavirus in women who are expecting a child can be transmitted to the fetus.

• During pregnancy, this occurs in rare cases; usually the child becomes infected while passing through the birth canal.
• It should be noted that the virus is inherited from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease on the genitals. Infection of children at birth is accompanied by laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by serious impairment of respiratory function.
• There is also a possibility of infection during breastfeeding.

Photo: infection of a newborn during childbirth

How to recognize HPV

This human virus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, leading to the appearance of tumors (warts).

• At a young age, warts most often appear on the fingers, elbows, and knees. These are non-cancerous formations, dense to the touch, the color of which can vary from light to black. Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
• At older ages, HPV manifests itself by the formation of papillomas. They are soft and attached to the skin with a stem. As a rule, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes they can be dark brown.

Most often, papillomas are located on the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.

• In men, neoplasms can occur on any part of the penis, and sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the condition of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating and pain.
• When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia. Sometimes they can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina, and anus.

Looking at photos of people with HPV, you can see how much neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger lies in their possible degeneration into malignant tumors. Doctors advise that when papillomas are detected, they conduct studies to determine their oncogenicity and remove them.

What types of HPV are the most dangerous?

Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.

However, you should not panic if you are diagnosed with this. First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.

90% of those infected were diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by low carcinogenic risks.

The most dangerous strains are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.

Video: “Colposcopy”

Features of the course in women

90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.

• The virus often develops against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals. These may be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudo-erosion of the cervix.
• It is often combined with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes.

The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:

• itching and burning in the genitals;
• specific secretions;
• difficulty urinating;
• unpleasant sensation during sexual intercourse;
• proliferation and fusion of condylomas on the genitals.

Photo: proliferation of condylomas on the genital mucosa

Genital warts can occur on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum and perineum.

• These manifestations of HPV not only look unattractive, but also cause discomfort: pain, itching, and may bleed.
• The detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a cancerous process.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is carried out by taking tests and conducting laboratory tests.

Is it dangerous to remove papillomas at home?

Which doctor treats papillomas in women? Find out here.

The following methods can be used:

• colposcopy;
• biopsy.

An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.

It allows you to obtain an analysis for each type of virus, as well as determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.

Thanks to the accuracy of this method, specialists can identify the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.

You need to prepare for the tests.

The patient should not have sexual activity, drink alcohol or take antiviral drugs for several days.

• Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope. The cervix is ​​lubricated with a solution of acetic acid, which reveals papillomas, and they become clearly visible.
• During a biopsy, an area of ​​affected tissue is taken for examination. Subsequently, this material is stained and examined. Biopsy is a highly accurate research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.

Treatment

Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with medications.

• Therefore, the only treatment option today is removal of papillomas.
• Medicines are prescribed only as maintenance therapy (immunomodulators) and to reduce the likelihood of the formation of new papillomas (interferons). Viferon, cycloferon, reaferon can be used.

Direct removal can be carried out using several methods:

• electrocoagulation;
• laser;
• radio waves.

The electrocoagulation method involves using high-frequency current.

• After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off on its own after a few days.
• The method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.

Laser removal is also common, but it has a number of disadvantages.

• Firstly, a removed papilloma cannot be examined.
• Secondly, scars may form at the site of removal.

The most modern is the radio wave method.

This is a safe, painless method, after which there are no marks left on the body.

The cryodestruction method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.

• The areas of tissue that need to be removed are flash frozen. In this case, minor discomfort may occur.
• The entire area of ​​dead skin is sloughed off 2-6 weeks after treatment.

Prevention

Realizing the prevalence of the virus, I want to not only find out whether papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.

Specific

As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with common highly oncogenic types of HPV.

It is used mainly for prevention in women. As a rule, it is recommended to do it between the ages of 9 and 25 years.

It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can inactivate it and increase immunity.
Is red papilloma dangerous?

Which papillomavirus is more dangerous, 16 or 18? Find out here.

How to get rid of papillomas and warts? Read on.

Nonspecific

Methods of nonspecific prevention include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:

• if the integrity of the skin is damaged, they must be treated;
• You cannot use other people’s personal hygiene products;
• in public saunas the use of rubber slippers is recommended;
Small papillomas all over the body Are papillomas on the body contagious?

When a woman is diagnosed with a highly oncogenic virus and at the same time has some kind of cervical disease, even a benign one, then the combination of the papilloma virus and the benign disease equally requires close monitoring or more extensive treatment.

This is another danger factor, which is the reason that, in the conditions of some benign changes, oncology can form.

Many people are interested in the question: what is the human papillomavirus, and why is it dangerous?

Human papillomavirus refers to a whole group of viruses that are part of the papillomavirus family, consisting of 5 genera, more than four dozen species and about 200 strains.

16 genotype of papillomavirus: is there a risk of developing cancer?

The infection is transmitted from person to person through sexual and household contact, as well as from mother to child during childbirth.

• The main condition for transmission of the virus is the presence of microtraumas on the skin and mucous membranes.
• There is a risk of so-called self-infection when shaving or epilating.

In an infected cell, the pathogen can exist in two forms:

• episomal - the virus does not invade the cell’s chromosomes, this form is considered benign;
• introsomal - the virus integrates into the cellular genome, this form is defined as malignant.

Manifestation of HPV in women

In women, HPV often manifests itself as follows.

The following methods are used to diagnose this infection in women.

Currently, HPV is treated with various methods, but it is completely impossible to get rid of it. All treatment of this virus comes down to the elimination of its clinical and subclinical manifestations. In each specific situation, treatment is selected individually.

Treatment of papillomavirus in women should take place simultaneously in several areas.

• Local treatment. Provides for the removal of altered areas of the epithelium using different methods: traditional surgery, cryodestruction, radio wave method, diathermocoagulation, laser radiation, chemical removal.

1. Surgical treatment means removing the affected areas with a scalpel. It is used mainly in the presence of extensive tissue damage and suspected malignancy.
2. Cryodestruction involves freezing tumors using liquid nitrogen.
3. With the help of radio wave coagulation, genital warts are eliminated. For this, a radio wave knife is used.
4. Diathermocoagulation is a procedure for excision of condylomas using high-frequency radiation or an electric knife.
5. Laser radiation - elimination of tumors using a laser. It is the only procedure suitable for pregnant women to eliminate condylomas. But treatment with this procedure does not eliminate the formation of scars.
6. Chemical removal means the removal of formations by exposing them to acid-containing preparations using the application method.

• Prescribing antiviral drugs. It is carried out for the purpose of anti-relapse therapy, as well as during the acute phase of the disease. Such treatment is necessary to prevent the development of malignant neoplasms.
• Prescription of immunomodulators, vitamins and minerals. Treatment of the human papillomavirus thus helps restore and strengthen the immune system, which is important in the fight against HPV.

There are several areas for preventing HPV in women.

1. Use of a special prophylactic vaccine. Currently, there are two types of vaccines available in the retail chain that are used to prevent cancer of the cervix and other genital organs: Cervarix and Gardasil. It is worth noting that these vaccines are applied only to healthy women, that is, to those who do not have the human papillomavirus.
2. Using condoms during sexual intercourse.
3. Quitting smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
4. Boosting immunity.
5. Regular visits to the gynecologist. Periodic visits to the doctor will help detect the human papillomavirus in women in the early stages of its manifestation, and this is the key to more successful treatment.

Human papillomavirus infection, that is, infection with the human papillomavirus, poses a certain danger to women of reproductive age. It has been scientifically proven that some strains of the virus lead to the development of cervical cancer.

Timely detection of the virus itself and the changes that the microorganism causes at the initial stage of its development allows the doctor to prescribe a course of treatment that is the prevention of a malignant process.

Reasons

Human papillomavirus in women is a very common infection. According to statistics, today more than 50% of sexually active women are infected.

HPV causes cancer in women, although it can be asymptomatic and discovered by chance during a routine examination.

The causes of the appearance of the papilloma virus can be different, but the most common cases are sexual transmission of the infection. Papillomavirus can be contracted through household contact. There is a possibility of infection during childbirth, transmission from a sick mother to a child. The following are at risk of developing papillomavirus:

• women who began sexual activity early;
• ladies who often change sexual partners;
• people with hormonal imbalances;
• patients with reduced immunity.

Classification and symptoms of the disease

Modern medicine identifies more than 150 types of papilloma in women. Among these species there are both safe types and malignant strains. Virus type 68 in women, as well as HPV 58, are types of papillomavirus that carry a high risk of oncogenicity.

In total, there are 14 types of papillomavirus that pose a threat to people, but it is papillomavirus type 68 in women and HPV 58 that cause cervical cancer in 70% of cases.

Few people know how HPV manifests itself; moreover, a huge number of people do not even realize that they are carriers of the papillomavirus. Depending on the type of virus, the signs of HPV will differ, but there are a number of symptoms that are common to all types.

Among these signs one can note genital warts, which look like warts. In most cases, these signs of HPV appear on the cervix, less often on the labia and anus.

This is how the virus manifests itself 3 months after the initial infection.

HPV type 68 and HPV 58 require mandatory treatment. Even after completion of therapy and normalization of the condition, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor.

Diagnosis of the virus

Before starting treatment, the doctor is required to conduct a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis. Among the necessary examinations are:

• visual examination of the patient;
• colposcopy;
• PCR analysis;
• cervical biopsy;
• cytology smear;
• molecular biological test;
• histological analysis.

Only based on the patient’s test results, medications are selected. Under no circumstances should you try to prescribe medications for yourself or use medications that have been prescribed to someone you know with a similar diagnosis.

A very important step in diagnosing a disease such as the papilloma virus is testing for the presence of other sexually transmitted infections. According to statistics, in 90% of cases in a woman, the papilloma virus is combined with chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis and herpes. If there is a concomitant infection, it is initially treated, and then papillomavirus therapy is started.

If one of the sexual partners has the papilloma virus, treatment should be carried out on both, as there is a risk of re-infection. During treatment, both partners must use contraception.

Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common diseases; about 90% of all people are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This infection is caused by a peculiar virus that provokes growth or changes in the upper layers of the skin.

General information

HPV has up to 100 types, each of which can cause various formations: warts, genital warts, cervical dysplasia, which can develop into cancer. So, what do you need to know about the virus?

Human papillomavirus during pregnancy

This infection is very dangerous during pregnancy, both for the expectant mother and for the child. The reasons for its danger are the high probability of transmitting the virus to the baby during childbirth or during intrauterine development.

Before planning a pregnancy, all women should be screened for HPV.

If the virus is detected during the examination, doctors usually advise delaying the birth of the child and treating the infection first.

In cases where the human papillomavirus is detected already during pregnancy, doctors recommend delaying treatment until 28 weeks - all the organs of the unborn baby are already formed by this time and will not suffer from the negative effects of medications. Women are not recommended to give birth on their own if condylomas are in the vagina, because in this case the risk of infection of the child increases.

Human papillomavirus infection poses the greatest danger to women who are pregnant. The disease can harm her baby if measures are not taken urgently to help protect the fetus.

The main reason for the danger is that the baby easily becomes infected with the virus during childbirth. Therefore, immediately before conception, women are recommended to be tested for the presence of a pathogen in the body.

If it is detected, you will initially have to undergo full treatment, and only then think about pregnancy.

Treatment of papillomavirus in a pregnant woman can begin after 28 weeks. By this time, the baby will have formed important organs, so his body will not suffer due to the influence of the disease.

If condylomas are found in the genitals, then the woman should agree to a caesarean section to prevent infection of the baby during labor.

Papillomas during pregnancy are a common occurrence. Unlike many infections, HPV during pregnancy is not considered a significant threat to the health of the baby or the mother herself.

The disease does not have any detrimental effect on the formation of the fetus. The only threat to the baby may be genital papillomatosis of the mother, since this is a serious risk of transmitting the pathogen during childbirth naturally.

Formation (appearance) of type 16, 18 papillomas during pregnancy: photo

HPV 16, 18 and pregnancy are conditions that require immediate observation by a specialist, since these strains of the pathogen can lead to the formation of a cancerous tumor.

Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18 during pregnancy manifests itself in the form of pointed processes, most often concentrated in the intimate areas of a woman. Such growths have the potential to develop cancer. When HPV is detected in pregnant women, the woman automatically falls into the risk group and is closely monitored by a specialist.

What is the effect of HPV on the fetus? There is a high probability of infection of the newborn during the birth process. After this, the baby may develop papillomatosis of the respiratory tract or mouth and throat. The presence of these types of HPV in an expectant mother is an indication for a cesarean section.

If during pregnancy the papilloma virus actively progresses and poses a threat to the life of the fetus, the issue of removing the tumors is considered. The removal method is chosen by the attending physician depending on the condition of the female body and the degree of development of the disease.

Papillomas during pregnancy are an indication for a thorough and complete examination. Careful medical supervision is established to prevent the negative impact of the disease on the child.

Pregnancy and HPV 31

Until recently, papillomas of genotype 31 received less attention than genotypes 16 and 18. Now the opinion of doctors has changed somewhat.

HPV 31 is in second place for the risk of developing cancer. External signs of the appearance of papillomavirus (HPV) in pregnant women is the development of squamous processes.

The main sites of papillomatosis are the genital area and the cervix. This type is characterized by the absence of genital warts.

The main danger of the virus for a woman is considered to be the possibility of bowenoid papulosis and neoplasia. For a child, this is a high risk of contracting a viral respiratory tract infection during the natural birth process.

HPV 33 and pregnancy. Is there a danger?

Why is HPV dangerous during pregnancy? Carrying a fetus is a great stress for the female body. The process of hormonal changes, decreased immunity and rapid weight gain are the main reasons for the active growth of tumors. Papillomas appear especially often in places of increased friction.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of papillomas depends on the location of the growths and the type of epithelial damage.

• New growths that appear on the skin of the face or neck, as a rule, spoil the aesthetic appearance and do not carry any serious consequences.
• Other types of papillomas, for example, those localized on the laryngeal mucosa, can cause swelling, breathing problems, obstruction, etc.

Papillomas are often injured, for example, by friction with clothing, then the neoplasm becomes inflamed and blackens.

Diagnostics

Treatment of papillomavirus in young girls and older women is prescribed only after preliminary diagnosis. It consists of the following activities:

• Diagnosis of papillomavirus begins with a clinical examination to identify the type of papillomas.
• Next, laboratory tests are prescribed, and the laboratory diagnosis of HPV in men and women is somewhat different.

Both sexes are assigned:

• PCR diagnostics, which allows you to determine the amount of virus in a scraping taken from areas affected by HPV and identify other STDs;
• enzyme immunoassay that detects antibodies to the virus;
• cytological or histological examination;
• anoscopy, which allows you to examine the perianal area under magnification;
• Daijin test that identifies the type of HPV.

Women undergo colposcopy and cervical biopsy, and take a PAP test.

How to treat

All questions related to how to treat human papillomavirus in girls and women must be discussed with a doctor.

Modern medicine offers several proven techniques that have helped suppress the active spread of papillomavirus for most women. The success rate of this treatment is 90%. The results of the patient’s tests help determine the treatment regimen. When choosing medications and procedures, attention is paid to the genotype of the papillomavirus.

Medications

It is best to fight papillomaris with the help of medications. They prevent the spread of the disease throughout the female body and the appearance of new rashes on the body. The action of medications prescribed for this diagnosis is usually aimed at strengthening the immune system and destroying viral cells. The following pharmaceutical drugs performed best:

• "Allokin-alpha." This drug belongs to the group of antiviral immunomodulators. It is suitable for women who are sick with a virus with a high oncogenic risk. When the active components of the medicine enter the blood, they begin to fight the pathogen;
• "Groprinosin". Another effective immunostimulant with a pronounced antiviral effect. These tablets are designed to kill the viral pathogen that is inside the body. In addition, the medication helps eliminate the external manifestations of the disease;
• "Viferon". The drug is presented in different pharmacological forms. HPV in women can be treated with spray, ointment and suppositories. The immunomodulatory agent has a local effect. It helps stop the spread of the virus and removes its external manifestations on the skin;
• "Genferon." A strong antiviral drug that contains interferon. It improves the body’s protective properties well and eliminates the main signs of papillomavirus;
• "Isoprinosine." An equally effective immunomodulator, which has a fast and sustainable effect. It is intended both for the treatment of papillomavirus and for its prevention. The tablets have a positive effect on the immune system of women.

Sometimes injections are needed to treat HPV. If the analysis shows that the human papillomavirus is present in a woman’s body, she may be prescribed a course of Allokin-alpha injections. This drug enhances the effect of tablets that are necessary to suppress disease activity.

Surgical methods

Surgical methods of treating HPV help to quickly get rid of viral rashes on the skin of the body and face. They are prescribed in combination with medications, since they themselves are not able to influence the activity of the papillomavirus. Hardware procedures are needed only to remove existing growths.

Surgical excision of papillomas can hardly be called an effective treatment method, since in 55% of cases, after removal, rashes reappear at the site of the lesion. Taking medications prescribed by your doctor helps to avoid this.

Helps remove viral growths on the skin and mucous membranes:

• Electrocoagulation;
• Radio wave surgery;
• Cryotherapy;
• Laser therapy;
• Surgical removal with a scalpel.

The patient and the doctor must choose the most optimal option for hardware treatment of papillomas.

What is HPV type 58? The abbreviation HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It belongs to the group of epitheliotropic viruses, since it infects epithelial cells in the ectoderm. Its activity extends to the skin, mucous membranes of the genital organs, and oral mucosa. There are several types of the virus, including HPV type 58.

HPV and its types

The particles reach 55 nanometers in diameter and lack an outer shell. The peculiarity of the virus is that it is capable of causing proliferation of the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes.

Initially, the introduced pathogenic environment invades the basal cells of the skin, where it enters through microcracks. Most often, papillomas are found on the skin of the neck, armpits, groin area and where clothing fits closely to the body.

A common place for papillomas is the mucous membrane of the mouth and genital organs, and the nasopharynx.

The virus may not manifest itself immediately; it is planted for primary reproduction and remains in a chronic form for a long time. Its location in the upper layers of the skin is typical, and HPV-infected integuments begin to gradually grow. This phenomenon is called hyperplasia. With laryngeal papillomatosis, HPV begins activity in the mucous membrane of the throat.

HPV is divided into types; not all of them are equally well studied and can be quickly treated. Virus types are classified as highly oncogenic and low oncogenic. The relationship between HPV and cancer cells lies in the effect of the virus on the human DNA genome.

Prevention

Today there are several types of diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection. These are colposcopy, cytology, histology, as well as a molecular biological research method.

Women need to be tested for papillomavirus every 3-5 years. This test detects the papillomavirus itself.

Timely diagnosis reduces the percentage of cancer diseases by a thousand times.

Today there are no drugs that treat the virus. There is no pill that you can take and be cured of papillomavirus. But there are drugs that act on immune defense and are capable of adjusting natural immune responses aimed at destroying the papillomavirus.

Simple preventive measures will help women avoid infection with the human papillomavirus:

1. Get vaccinated. This method of prevention is suitable for those who are not sick. If a woman is diagnosed with the virus, the vaccine will not provide her with adequate protection;
2. Use contraception, in this case condoms, during intimacy with a man;
3. Avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking;
4. Strengthen your immune system. Vitamin complexes, proper nutrition and the prevention of colds can help with this;
5. Regularly make an appointment with a gynecologist for routine examinations.

Absolutely any woman can become infected with the human papillomavirus. Preventive measures only reduce the chances of infection, which are usually critically high.

If a woman is already sick, then she should start monitoring her own health more carefully. Such attentiveness will help to keep the papillomavirus in dormant mode for a long time.

It is also worth making an appointment with a specialist and asking him to prescribe preventive medications that do not allow the viral pathogen to awaken.

It is possible to avoid the entry of HPV into the human body by observing the following preventive measures:

• use a condom during sexual intercourse;
• stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking;
• increase immunity;
• visit a gynecologist regularly;
• get vaccinated in a timely manner.

HPV is considered an insidious infection from which no woman is immune. It is possible to prevent it from entering the body through various preventive measures and by leading a healthy lifestyle. You can find out why papillomavirus is dangerous for a woman from a gynecologist.

In order to avoid infection or activation of a virus, you should follow a few simple rules:

• avoid contact with people infected with HPV;
• observe the rules of personal hygiene in public places;
• use the patch when the skin is injured.

Women need to undergo regular preventive examinations with a gynecologist.