Papilloma belongs to a 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, in order to avoid infection, you need to know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple rules for prevention.
The human papillomavirus belongs to the 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 an infected person may not feel any symptoms and does not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papillomaviruses live and actively multiply on the basal layer of the skin. At the same time, they are able to spread from one organism to another.
It has been proven that the virus can develop in the external environment for a short time, but usually its entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.
Most of the types of the virus are not dangerous to human health, however, there are species with oncogenic properties that can provoke the occurrence of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the organisms of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the prevalence of the virus, it is necessary to know how papilloma is transmitted.
The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through household contact.
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 occurrence of genital warts.
The deterioration of immunity is observed against the background of a violation of the microflora of the vagina and intestines. Immunity is severely affected in people with HIV.
Papillomavirus is activated under the following conditions:
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.
After infection, it may take several years before the onset of symptoms, which become pronounced during a period of reduced immunity.
Photo: infection can occur through a handshake
The papilloma virus is transmitted by contact-household way:
The sexual route of infection is especially dangerous, since the risk of infection with an oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.
People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
Human papillomavirus in women who are expecting a child can be transmitted to the fetus.
Photo: infection of a newborn during childbirth
This human virus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, leading to the appearance of neoplasms (warts).
Most often, papillomas are located on the following parts of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.
Looking at photos of people with HPV, you can see how much neoplasms can ruin appearance, although the main danger lies in their possible degeneration into tumors. Doctors advise, when papillomas are found, to conduct studies that determine oncogenicity and remove them.
Even for those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted, it is not always possible to avoid infection.
However, you should not panic if you have been 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.
90% of women who die of cervical cancer have HPV.
The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
Photo: growth of genital warts on the genital mucosa
Genital warts can occur in the urethra, vagina, cervix, and rectum.
Diagnosis is carried out by passing and conducting laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used:
An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
It allows you to get an analysis for each type of virus, as well as determine the number of copies of DNA in the material for research.
Due to the accuracy of this method, specialists can determine the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.
You need to prepare for the test.
The patient should not have sex for several days, drink alcoholic beverages and antiviral drugs.
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV is treated with medication.
Direct removal can be carried out in several ways:
The method of electrocoagulation is the use of high-frequency current.
Laser removal is also common, but it has several disadvantages.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
This is a safe, painless method, after which no traces remain on the body.
The method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.
Realizing the prevalence of the virus, I want to not only find out if papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used, which reduces the risk of infection with common high-oncogenic types of HPV.
It is used mainly for prevention in women. As a rule, it is recommended to do it at the age of 9 to 25 years.
It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can cause its inactivation and increase immunity.
Non-specific prophylaxis methods include elementary rules personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
Compliance with these simple rules will help to significantly reduce the risk of infection with papillomavirus and protect your body from its penetration.
Thanks
The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!
This virus, belonging to the genus papillomaviruses, is transmitted only from one living organism to another. The papilloma virus inhabits exclusively the basal layer of the skin, while its reproduction occurs in the upper layers of the skin. Being in the cells for a long time, it causes a violation of their division. It is one of the most common viruses transmitted during sexual intercourse. Over the past few decades, the number of infected has increased 10 times. The entire life cycle of the virus takes place only inside the cells of the body, but for some time it can also exist in the external environment.
Types 16 and 18 are the most common types of cancer. Two-thirds of cancer patients have one of these types of viruses.
It should not be assumed that the presence of a high oncogenic risk in the blood of HPV is an indispensable verdict. Indeed, the presence of the virus increases the risk of developing precancerous conditions by sixty times. But doctors estimate that no more than one percent of women who carry the virus have uterine cancer.
AT recent times scientists have suspicions that HPV provokes not only cancer of the uterus and penis, but also cancer Bladder in men. There is an opinion that the virus suppresses the activity of certain genes present in the cells of the epithelium of the urinary organs and thereby provokes their degeneration.
The virus is very easily transmitted from person to person, therefore, according to American scientists, by the age of 50, eight out of ten women are carriers of the papillomavirus. In the United States alone, six million people are infected with this virus every year!
flat warts
They develop when infected with a virus of type 3 and 5. Flat warts are small growths with a diameter of not more than 3 millimeters, flat. Most often, the face and palms are affected. Young people are most susceptible to this disease, so it is often called juvenile warts. The body usually fights off the infection on its own.
plantar warts
They develop when infected with viruses of types 1, 2 in those places where the shoes rub or press on the legs. The skin at the site of the wart becomes thicker, the warts do not have clear boundaries. Pressing on the wart causes an unpleasant sensation. Most often, these warts do not go away on their own. They are treated surgically.
There are two types of plantar warts:
Warty epidermodysplasia
Expressed in profuse rashes Pink colour, flat, resembling flat warts in appearance. Adolescents are more susceptible, there is a genetic predisposition to this disease.
There are two forms of epidermodysplasia:
Bowenoid papulosis
It is provoked by a virus of type 16, sometimes 31 - 35, 18, 42, 48, from 51 to 54. It usually develops in the stronger sex, promiscuous in sexual partners. It is a semicircular and flat outgrowths with a rough or smooth surface of various colors. Appear both on the mucous membranes and on the skin. The disease often goes away on its own.
The probability of contracting condylomatosis is 10% in sexually active women. It is advisable to be screened for the presence of the virus from 26 to 28 years. However, having contracted the virus at a young age, a woman may not be aware of it for decades. And only at the onset of the menopause period, the virus can cause malignancy of the cells of the genital mucosa.
The main danger of developing the disease caused by types 16 and 18 is the development of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer reduces life expectancy by an average of 26 years.
From the point of view of the development of cancer, only the virus that has been in the body for more than a year becomes dangerous. Therefore, regular examination by a doctor can prevent all negative consequences.
Under the influence of the virus, warts on the skin, papillomatosis of the larynx ( often in a chronic relapsing form), or the virus may not manifest itself in any way. Skin warts are found on average in 12 percent of schoolchildren. Among all dermatological diseases in children, these diseases are the most common. Sometimes deterioration in breathing develops against the background of a respiratory disease, moreover, than less baby, the more severe the disease is, since the airways in crumbs are narrow, and there is a lot of loose connective tissue in them. Therefore, they quickly swell, the growth of papillomas occurs rapidly.
The disease is easily curable by surgery. Even if the child reappears after the removal of papillomas, they disappear with age.
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by examining the patient. There is no effective non-surgical treatment for this disease in both children and adults. The only alternative is laser removal. But this method increases the likelihood of malignancy ( malignancy) papillomas.
After surgery, the patient is given a single dose of a steroid drug to help prevent swelling, antibiotics are often prescribed in the postoperative period to prevent infection of the wound, sometimes drugs are prescribed. arsenic and estrogens. The use of methionine for a month after surgery helps to avoid the return of the disease.
This virus can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth and cause respiratory papillomatosis in him. And even in this case, doctors are not yet completely sure exactly how the virus is transmitted from mother to fetus: during childbirth, through the placenta or in postpartum period. Therefore, there is no firm guarantee that delivery by caesarean section can help protect the child from infection. In this regard, the presence of HPV 6 or 11 in the mother is not sufficient reason for a caesarean section.
A caesarean section is prescribed in cases where warts can interfere with the expulsion of the fetus or if their presence in certain places threatens the mother with heavy bleeding. In any case, the expectant mother should be aware of the likelihood of developing respiratory papillomatosis in the baby.
Moreover, any other types of viruses are generally not dangerous for the child and for the course of pregnancy.
So, in the presence of vulgar and flat warts on the skin of the body and face, it is necessary to contact dermatologist (make an appointment) which will remove them.
8. Solcoderm - processed once. For processing, you can apply up to 0.2 ml of the drug. The area of the treated surface must be less than 5 cm.
9. Cryotherapy. In three to four sessions, you can completely get rid of warts and papillomas. But the procedure is quite unpleasant, in addition, a scar may remain at the treatment site.
10. Laser therapy. One to three sessions are required. The disadvantages are the same as with cryotherapy.
Depending on the vaccine, vaccination occurs immediately against the four most dangerous types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, or only two of them: 16 and 18. The vaccine is not live, so it is completely harmless. The types of viruses that the vaccine is effective against can cause cancer of the vagina, cervix, penis, and anus. Indications:
Side effects of vaccination
In isolated cases, there was a deterioration in health in the first three days after vaccination, a slight increase in body temperature. Slight reddening of the injection site.
Contraindications:
Absolute:
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is located exclusively in the basal layer of the skin, and its reproduction occurs in the upper layers. This disease is characterized by its chronic form with periodic relapses.
More than half of the world's population is infected with HPV. Some of them are simply carriers of the disease, while in others this virus manifests itself as papillomatosis of the skin and mucous membranes. Sometimes this viral disease can be the causative agent of cancerous degeneration of cells.
HPV is an infection from the Papovaviridea family that can infect and alter epithelial cells.
This benign neoplasm is formed in any area of the body:
The development of this infection occurs in the cells of the body, but it can also exist outside of it, but not for long. Being in the cells of a living organism, it causes a failure in their division.
Note! HPV is the most common virus that can be transmitted as a sexually transmitted disease.
Causes of the disease, and how infection occurs
The transmission of the virus occurs through contact with the skin or mucous membranes of an infected person.
Infection can happen:
Some type of virus can be contracted even by shaking hands. If there is someone in the family who is a carrier of the virus, then the risk that the rest of the family is sick with it is very high. This virus is highly contagious.
Different types of virus can cause or contribute to the development of diseases:
This raises the suspicion that people with HPV of the genital tract are at risk for cancer - they may develop intraepithelial carcinoma of the cervix.
Factors contributing to HPV infection:
If the virus enters a healthy body, with good immunity, then immune cells destroy it, and infection does not occur, it does not threaten a completely healthy person.
The incubation period of the virus varies. For this type of virus, a latent course is characteristic. The subclinical form of the course of the disease is characterized by the appearance of rashes that are invisible during a simple examination, which cause discomfort to the patient in the genital area. You can immediately become infected with several varieties of papillomaviruses. Under the influence of certain factors, the virus is activated and its reproduction begins, and the disease enters the period of clinical manifestations.
In 90% of cases, self-healing occurs in six months or a year, in some cases a chronic relapsing course may occur with a high probability of malignancy (depending on the type of virus).
The disease proceeds in four stages (stages):
Stage 1 (initial) - latent course of papillomavirus infection. The virus is in the body, but does not manifest itself, does not cause transformation in the cells. At this stage, it can be detected by PCR analysis;
2 - there are clinical signs - in the form of growths on the skin. The virus causes accelerated division of epidermal cells. At this stage, the virus is detected by PCR, cytology and histology (detected by the presence of hyperkeratosis);
3 - dysplasia. The structure of cells (colocytosis) is changing - this is visible under a microscope, since the DNA of the virus begins to interact with the DNA of the cells and causes the development of the so-called integrated form. For diagnosis, PCR, cytology and histology methods, as well as colposcopy are used;
Stage 4 - carcinoma. The development of the virus causes cell mutation and the emergence of malignant cells. An invasive cancer is formed. Diagnosis occurs by all of the above methods and clinical manifestations.
More than a hundred types of HPV have been identified that infect the human urogenital tract, affecting the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs - 35 species.
For all types of HPV, a classification is used based on the types of warts, rashes, and other skin manifestations that appear. HPV typing with a description looks like this:
In order to overcome the infection in the early stages, the human immunity is strong enough. Most often, the disease does not develop and a person does not even suspect the presence of HPV, since external symptoms may not appear. But after some time (months or years), there may be some signs of HPV infection.
Statistics show only 5-10% of patients who have external symptoms of HPV disease (Human papillomavirus). The disease is asymptomatic - the majority of patients have no signs of the disease. When the virus is activated, growths may occur different kind, which indicate the presence of various types of HPV in the body. Places of localization also indicate the type of virus. For example, papillomas have the appearance of soft elongated growths (filamentous warts) that are attached to the leg, the color may not differ from the color of the skin, but it can also be pigmented. Rod-shaped growths may appear, soft to the touch, pinkish in color.
Places of localization can be armpits, inner thighs, neck, groin, under the mammary glands, sometimes the face. Genital warts look like non-rigid hanging growths, also attached to the skin with the help of a leg, the main localization sites can be the vulva and anus. Warts are round in shape and are most often located on the hands, feet, knees or elbows.
In men, the course of the disease is hidden, and genital papillomas (spiky) can form, the presence of which provokes the degeneration of cells into a malignant intracellular neoplasm of the penis or anus. Possible papillomatosis of the larynx.
Important! Men are more likely to act as passive carriers of the virus, which is less dangerous for men than for women - they are much less likely to develop oncology.
In women, the specificity of the course of the disease is such that the development of the disease can also occur in a latent form, and sometimes it causes the formation of genital papillomas. Having become infected with the virus, a woman may not observe any symptoms until the onset of menopause, at which time the virus can provoke malignancy of the cells of the genital mucosa.
Remember! Regular check-ups with your doctor can help prevent the onset of cervical cancer caused by HPV. Since outwardly this disease may not manifest itself.
Children under the influence of the virus may develop warts on the skin, papillomatosis of the larynx (usually in a chronic relapsing form). Papillomatosis of the larynx causes breathing problems, up to suffocation syndrome. Skin warts are present in 12% of schoolchildren, this is the most common dermatological disease in children.
* Having received data on the patient's disease, a clinic representative will be able to calculate the exact price for treatment.
HPV in a pregnant woman is not the most dangerous disease for herself and her unborn child. The expectant mother should only be wary if she has HPV type 6 or 11 (causing genital or anal warts), which, when transmitted to a newborn, can have consequences in the form of respiratory papillomatosis. In the presence of condylomas in such a quantity or places that interfere with the expulsion of the fetus, a caesarean section may be prescribed, since during normal childbirth, condylomas can provoke the development of bleeding.
All the rest (non-condylomatous lesions) are not dangerous for the child and the course of pregnancy.
The following research methods are used to diagnose human papillomavirus:
If there are no external signs in the form of a rash, the patient has no complaints, and the presence of HPV DNA is determined only by tests, it can come from a transient viral infection (the person is a carrier).
Due to the fact that HPV can cause diseases of various organs, if it is present, they turn to doctors of various directions. In the presence of warts on the skin of the face and body, they turn to a dermatologist. For plantar warts, see a dermatologist or surgeon. For condylomas in men - to a urologist (surgeon), in women - to a gynecologist (surgeon). If condylomas are present in the anus, then you need to contact a proctologist. If epidermodysplasia wart is suspected, then see a dermatologist or oncologist. Laryngeal papillomatosis requires an appeal to an otolaryngologist or surgeon, bowenoid papulosis - you need to contact a urologist or venereologist.
It also requires differential diagnosis with diseases such as micropapillomatosis, vestibular papillomatosis - they, unlike HPV, do not require treatment, since with the similarity of external signs they are a variant of the anatomical norm. Deciphering the standard values for a blood test will show the absence of HPV.
So is HPV fully curable or not? To date, no antiviral drug is known that can remove HPV from the body.
Different interferons - "Cycloferon", "Reaferon" and other drugs in this series - only reduce existing warts, but do not reduce the frequency of new ones.
The main method of treatment is the removal of papillomas. The main removal methods are as follows:
Although with the help of these methods, the external manifestations of the virus are completely removed, this is not considered an absolute deliverance from the infection, but only relative, since the person does not cease to be a virus carrier, and after some time the warts may reappear.
There is no universal method of non-surgical treatment for all categories of patients (men, women and children). An alternative can be considered only laser removal. But when using it, there is a risk of malignancy () papillomas. After the operation, the patient is prescribed an infusion of a single dose of a steroid drug that prevents swelling, antibiotics are also prescribed to prevent infection of the wound, arsenic preparations and estrogens may be prescribed. And the use of methionine within a month after surgery helps to avoid recurrence of the disease.
During HPV therapy, you should completely stop sexual activity until a complete cure, as well as conduct an examination and, if necessary, treatment, of a partner.
In addition to traditional methods of treatment, I also use others that are officially recognized by medicine and which can be carried out at home:
If we talk about treatment purely folk remedies, then the use of celandine has gained great popularity here. The wart is treated with its juice several times a day. When it darkens, the dark skin is removed and smeared further, until the wart is completely removed.
Other folk way treatment of a wart is its treatment with dandelion juice twice a day. Hare cabbage is used as a compress for warts. You can also use a mixture of garlic with ointment for lotions.
Note! Quantity folk methods There are many treatments for warts, but it is advisable to use them carefully and only after consulting a specialist.
The main preventive measures are:
Another method of preventing the disease is the HPV vaccination. This vaccine is effective against viruses 6,11,16,18 (Gardasil vaccine), against types 16 and 18 - Cervarix vaccine.
Vaccination is used as a prophylaxis, but not for treatment. It is carried out for boys aged 9-17 years, for girls - up to 26 years. This strain of the virus is vaccinated three times: between 1 and 2 vaccinations an interval of 2 months is provided, between 2 and 3 - four months. But sometimes it is done according to a different scheme: the second vaccination - after a month, the third - after 2 months. The effectiveness of vaccination is 95-100%.
Contraindications for vaccination:
During vaccination, some side effects in the form of deterioration of health, fever, redness of the skin at the injection site.
Human papillomavirus (or HPV) is a family of viruses that cause warts, papillomas, dysplasia, or cancer of the cervix and genital organs in humans. This is the most common viral infection of the genital area.
General family: Papillomaviridae. Latin name: Human papillomavirus.
Abbreviation: HPV (as it is written in the analyzes).
For physicians and students: the entire history of papillomavirus classification changes on the website of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses - link.
This is what HPV looks like under an electron microscope
The source of the virus is the skin cells of a sick person. Not blood! Not saliva! Only cells of the skin or mucosa.
If the patient has a papilloma, even if it is small in size, it is she who is the direct source of the virus!
At the same time, the patient may not yet have warts or condyloma during examination. Changes may still be microscopic, not visible to the eye (subclinical stage of the disease). But such a person can already transmit the virus to another person.
Infection usually occurs during childhood. Through microdamages of the skin of the child (scratches, abrasions), the papillomavirus penetrates the skin and causes the appearance of warts. We read about what types of warts are here: link.
In adults, certain types of virus (to be discussed below) cause the development of anogenital warts, or genital warts (). The transmission mechanism of these types is predominantly sexual.
But theoretically, a contact-household transmission route is also possible - through common hygiene items, the rim of the toilet bowl, taking a bath, visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool, etc.
Through microtrauma of the genital organs, the virus is transmitted from one sexual partner to another. In this case, the patient may also not have any changes visible to the eye. But microscopic changes in the mucous membrane of the genital organs can be. And these altered cells are the source of the virus.
Next, the virus penetrates the skin or mucous membranes and is met by various cells of the human immune system. In most cases, immune cells destroy the virus. Read more about the work of the immune system.
But if the immune system is weakened, the virus has time to penetrate the cells of the basal layer of the epithelium of the skin or mucous membranes, HPV DNA is integrated into the chromosomes of cells and changes the functioning of these cells. Cells begin to divide excessively and grow in a limited area, externally turning into warts and papillomas.
The incubation period can be short - 3 months, and can last for years. That is, there is a virus in the body, it can be present in only a few epithelial cells. But the immune system is strong enough to prevent it from developing into a full-fledged formation visible to the eye.
How papillomavirus develops in the skin
The types of HPV that cause warts enter the body during childhood,
The HPV types that cause genital warts enter the body primarily through sexual contact.
In rare cases, the development of human papillomavirus infection in the human body can lead to malignancy (that is, degeneration into cancer). Therefore, all types of papillomaviruses are classified according to the degree of oncogenicity (that is, according to the degree of possible development of cancer).
(according to research by McConcl D. J., 1991; Lorincz A. T., 1992; Bosch E X. et al., 2002; Kozlova V. I., Pukhner A. F., 2003; Syrjanen S., 2003; Shakhova N. M. et al., 2006;).
By the way, sometimes the classification changes. For example, HPV type 58 in women is no longer highly oncogenic. It began to be attributed to types with an average oncogenicity.
Symptoms and manifestations of HPV infection are warts, papillomas, dysplasia and cervical cancer. different types viruses - different manifestations in patients.
They are caused by the following types of HPV - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 28, 49.
Localization: on the genitals, in the anus, in the oral cavity and on the lips (types - 6, 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 35). More about these warts -.
The main mechanism of transmission of this disease in adults is sexual. Very rarely, a contact route of transmission can occur - through common toilet items, through a dirty toilet rim, using a shared bathroom, in a bathhouse, etc.
If a child is born to a mother with genital warts, the child is also infected and may subsequently also develop genital warts or papillomatosis of the larynx and respiratory tract (discussed above). However, the frequency of such symptoms in infants is extremely low. Children have a fairly high level of immunity, which protects them from such manifestations of infection.
Small, flat wart plaques (somewhat similar to flat warts) appear around the genitals. It often develops in men who constantly change sexual partners. Called by types - 16, 18, 31, 33, 42, 48, 51, 54.
More formidable clinical manifestations of HPV infection in women are cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, or dysplasia) of the cervix and cervical cancer (see photo). This is the most common type of malignant course of this infection. A more detailed article on CIN and dysplasia -.
Pictured is cervical cancer.
Cervical erosion and HPV are NOT the same thing. A detailed article on what cervical erosion is and how it differs from dysplasia and HPV -.
Modern medicine declares with 100% certainty that cervical cancer is caused exclusively by papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 66, 67.
The diagram shows the development of HPV infection over the years
Caused by virus types 16 and 18.
Today, some foreign scientists believe that the human papillomavirus is the cause of cancer of any localization. Because cancer is malignant tumor epithelium of the skin or mucous membrane, therefore, the HPV virus, which causes dysplastic phenomena just in the epithelium, and causes the appearance of cancer. And with cervical cancer, this is 100% proven.
There is evidence for breast cancer and laryngeal cancer, though not yet formalized into a global recommendation. And, according to some cancer researchers, the day is not far off when cancer of another localization (for example, intestines) is also recognized as the result of activity in the human body of the human papillomavirus.
Any viral infection that is constantly in the human body (and HPV is one of those) is activated only when immunity is reduced.
The main method for diagnosing papillomavirus is the PCR reaction. Using special reagents, the presence of HPV DNA in the material from the patient is determined. The most common types of analysis for HPV are types 16, 18 of the virus, as well as a number of other highly oncogenic types.
Material for analysis is taken from the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix of a woman. In men - from the mucous membrane of the penis.
Below in the photo is an example of PCR analysis and its decoding.
PCR can detect the presence of the virus even in a latent (that is, dormant) state. Therefore, it is important to determine the viral load, or the concentration of the virus.
The PCR reaction can also give a false result, both a false positive and a false negative result, especially if the conditions for its conduct are violated (even a push of the table on which the study is being carried out can lead to such a false result).
So, according to modern researchers in the West, up to 20% of all PCR results for papillomavirus were false. And this fact did not depend on the complexity of the equipment and the quality of the reagents.
A new study gaining popularity in the medical community. This test is used to determine the presence of clinically significant levels of the virus. Thanks to this test, it is possible to identify - a high degree of oncogenicity in viruses in the patient's body, or a low one.
The Digene test is used in combination with a cytological examination of the cervix, and they are also evaluated in a complex manner.
Other names - cytological examination, or "Pap smear".
A smear taken during a gynecological examination is examined. This study is often referred to as "liquid-based cytology" or simply "cytology".
At the same time, a laboratory assistant under a microscope determines the presence or absence of pathologically altered cells, which should not normally exist, but they appear only with the development of the disease. The presence of such altered cells may indicate the presence of CIN (or cervical dysplasia) in a woman.
A microscopic piece of tissue is examined, also taken during a gynecological or urological examination. Another name for this study is "biopsy". Under a microscope, the doctor evaluates the degree of change in the tissue taken for examination.
An example of a PCR analysis for HPV
Analysis interpretation
The unit of measurement is the number of genome equivalents (in simple terms, the number of viruses) per 100,000 human epithelial cells (that is, 10 to the 5th power).
Abbreviated: Lg
Gradations:
This means the average statistical indicators for this study in this age group. That is, in a simple way, the reference values are the norm.
For HPV reference values are negative. That is, normally HPV DNA should not be in the analyzes.
KVM is the control of taking material. Normally, the doctor should take a scraping in such a way that there are at least 10,000 (or 10 to the 4th degree, or 4Lg) epithelial cells in the material sample.
If the CME value is less than 4Lg, this means that there are few cells for analysis. The analysis is not recommended, as it will not be informative, and the doctor is advised to repeat the sampling of the material.
Removal of papillomas with a laser
Radio wave papilloma removal
The radio wave vaporizes the formation in the same way as a laser. .
Removal of papilloma with a scalpel
Removal of papillomas with an electric knife
In fact - this is the same scalpel, only electric. Currently, it is practically not used in cosmetology.
Removal with liquid nitrogen
More detailed article about this method -
Cauterizing agents
Pharmaceutical locally necrotic drugs (acids, alkalis) are used:
- Super cleaner
- Solcoderm ()
- Duofilm()
- Collomac()
- Verrukacid, or ferezol ()
- Condilin ()
- and a number of others.
Polyoxidonium, Roncoleukin, Immunal and others:
The human papillomavirus does not affect reproductive function, that is, the virus does not prevent a woman from having a child.
If papillomavirus infection is detected during pregnancy:
In general, caesarean section for HPV infection is rarely performed. And manifestations of infection in children subsequently are also extremely rare or insignificant.
Prevention is the best cure. Remember this phrase, especially when it comes to the sexual sphere.
Nature has come up with a wonderful mechanism for healing and prevention for a person, which then helps him not to get sick again. This is the immune system.
If a person has already had warts or papillomas once, then later he develops immunity to this type of virus. Therefore, in adults, juvenile warts, spinules and vulgar warts very rarely appear.
It is on this principle that the method of vaccinating a person against various infectious diseases, including papillomavirus, is built.
That's why it's SO IMPORTANT to keep your immune system strong. high level. A detailed article on how to strengthen immunity - read.
And in conclusion - a few videos on the topic of the material recommended for viewing.
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Updated: October 08, 2019It has been proven that HPV is removed from the body under the influence of its own immunity 12-24 months after infection, even if the disease is not treated. A recovered patient develops strong immunity to the type of pathogen with which he was infected.
Papillomavirus is a microscopic form of life that lives only inside the cells of the body. Its microbial bodies contain DNA as the genetic material. A favorite place of defeat for this pathogen are the cells of the skin and mucous membranes.
Medical science has discovered more than nine dozen varieties of microorganism. They are divided into groups in different ways, but the following classification is of practical interest.
Types of HPV:
Neither other biological species of warm-blooded animals, except humans, nor other organisms (insects, helminths, etc.) participate in its transmission. Microbe transmission occurs directly: people become infected from each other most often through direct contact. Less common is the route of infection through microbe-contaminated objects. Like any virus, it is poorly adapted to survive outside host cells, however, being in fresh secretions, it can survive for some time.
The main ways of distribution:
The risk of infection is quite high in people:
HPV infection through contact with the pathogen does not always occur and depends on several factors, including the state of general and local immunity. A feature of this disease is that the severity of its signs varies depending on the state of the patient's immune system. In accordance with this, the number and severity of growths on the body can increase or decrease at different periods of the life of a person affected by this infectious agent.
skin manifestations of PVI - papillomas and condylomas
A susceptible organism can become infected with one or more types of viruses at the same time.
Contribute to infection, aggravate the course of the pathological process, increase the severity of manifestations:
FROM covered period (incubation) - the time from infection to appearance clinical signs- can last up to several years. This makes it impossible to identify the source of infection in most patients, as they forget casual partners and/or visits to public places.
Diagnosis of any pathology consists of an assessment of a person's complaints, his clinical condition, laboratory results and data from instrumental research methods.
There may be no signs of the disease at all, while the human immunity is quite strong and successfully restrains the virus in a “sleeping” state. In this case, an infection can only be detected by performing tests and detecting the DNA of a microorganism.
The patient may have characteristic formations, but do not disturb him in any way, then that he is sick with papillomavirus infection, a person learns at a dispensary appointment with a doctor.
On a clinical examination, the doctor can identify the following manifestations of the disease:
warts- have “legs” and a tendency to merge, outwardly they are best characterized by the definition of “growths that look like cauliflower”, while their surface is rough. Most often they are located on the external genitalia, around the anus.
Papillomas- neoplasms that have a papillary shape, up to 20 mm in size, often they merge. Their color is pinkish or flesh, there is also a "leg". Favorite location: groin, neck, face, armpits.
Warts- there are variable colors, usually formed on surfaces that are often injured, subject to friction, maceration (soles, elbows, neck).
All types of formations are easily traumatized, bleed.
There are no visible growths, but touching the affected mucous membranes is unpleasant, even painful. The patient may notice discharge from the genitals. The feeling of burning, tingling, dryness during sexual contact is especially pronounced if the mucous membranes of these are affected.
The first disease is the degeneration of the integumentary epithelium of the organ, the so-called precancerous condition. The second is actually a malignant tumor. HPV affects the DNA of human cells in which it lives, causing damage and malignancy. Therefore, it is classified as an oncogenic virus. There are types of papillomavirus that are conditionally classified as non-oncogenic, but you should not discount them and consider them harmless.
Symptoms of these conditions:
It is rare, but you should not discount it, it happens equally often in men and women. It is manifested by the presence of a tumor in these places, bleeding, pain during intercourse and / or bowel movements.
Features of the course of infection in patients of different sexes and ages are usually manifested by the predominant frequency of lesions of certain organs.
Unpleasant growths are found around the anus, on the penis (the frenulum of the foreskin and the head, in the furrow around the latter).
Neoplasms are found on the external genitalia (labia, clitoris, perineal skin), in the region of the urethral opening. The second most common localization is on the walls of the vagina and cervix.
in the photo: genital manifestations of VPI in men and women
The disease is manifested by characteristic growths. It is classified into forms depending on the location of the lesions:
During pregnancy, the body's immune defense naturally weakens. This means that in this state, the risk of contracting any infection for a woman increases. If the expectant mother was infected some time ago and she had no signs of the disease, there is a high probability of the primary manifestation of the pathology during the period of bearing the baby for the same reason - because of the weakening of the immune system.
The virus is transmitted to the child during its passage through the birth canal, so the HPV types that provoke the formation of growths in the genital area and anus are dangerous for the baby. The route of infection in this case is contact.
The detection of papillomavirus infection in a woman before pregnancy requires the completion of therapy before conception. The drugs used for treatment are toxic to the fetus. Detection of papillomatosis in a pregnant lady also requires its therapy. In this case, the latter is started no earlier than the 28th week from the moment of conception. After this period, the child is only growing, and the formation of tissues and organs has already been completed and the drugs are no longer so dangerous.
Danger for the pregnant woman herself can occur during childbirth if the growths are extensive and located on the genitals. Then there is a possibility of injury to them, bleeding and life threatening future mother. The final decision is made by the attending physician in such situations: a planned caesarean section is often required.
They are mandatory, although there will be no changes specific only for this disease. However, they are required by doctors in order to identify concomitant diseases, possible complications papillomatosis.
With all viral infections, changes in the blood picture differ from those with bacterial ailments. With papillomatosis, a general blood test will not show an increase in the content of leukocytes, but there may be a slight increase in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes. Perhaps a decrease in the level of neutrophils in the leukocyte formula.
Urinalysis in this disease does not change.
In the absence of the last two signs, they speak of a “transient viral infection”.
Suspecting HPV infection, the doctor prescribes, in addition to the usual examination by a narrow specialist:
Having found areas of the mucous membrane during colposcopy that differ from others, doctors perform a special study: wetting the tissues with a solution of acetic acid and iodine. An HPV-affected patient will have a characteristic "mosaic" of the mucous membranes. Also performed:
The last two studies require microscopy. In the same way, pathological tissues removed during surgery are studied.
There are no specific drugs to combat it, however, the patient can be cured. There are several therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of the disease.
The introduction of drugs in the form of solutions intradermally or applying them externally in the form of ointments, gels to growths. There are also drugs for use in the form of anal/vaginal suppositories. Cytostatic drugs, drugs of general antiviral and stimulating regeneration action are used:
The drugs are quite toxic, and their use in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children is prohibited.
In parallel, they fight a secondary infection of a bacterial, chlamydia, viral nature, if any. This requires specific medications.
It is always useful to prescribe multivitamin complexes, adaptogenic agents.
Trying to remove growths - warts, papillomas and warts - is not worth it on your own. It is possible to contribute to the spread of the virus from pathologically altered skin to normal. In addition, it is possible to introduce a secondary bacterial infection into the wound, that is, suppuration.
To remove neoplasms, various methods are used:
Traditional resection of altered tissues with a surgical scalpel. The method does not require too complex special equipment, staff training, special conditions in the hospital. This is the reason for its cheapness. However, after removal, scars remain. Now invented, produced and widely used special equipment that allows the use of radio frequency cutting tools. They damage healthy tissue less.
Depending on the type of equipment and the effective agent that is used for this, the impact is distinguished: electric shock, laser, chemicals (ferezol; solcoderm; podophyllotoxin, trichloroacetic acid, solkovagin, condylin). The latter method is painless, but can only be used to destroy small growths. The second and third surgical methods are preferable from an aesthetic point of view: there is no cicatricial change in the remaining tissues.
Destruction of growths with liquid nitrogen.
In this case, only pathological cells are destroyed as a result of the point effect of light on them. At the same time, a sensitizing substance is previously introduced into the affected area. It accumulates only in virus-infected cells. This method, which preserves the anatomical structure of intact tissues, is contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, pregnancy.
None of the therapies guarantees a complete cure. and will not prevent relapse. The reason is simple - medical science and practice have not learned how to deal with the disease-causing factor, the therapy is still symptomatic.
No matter how trite it may sound, but so far the only, simple, accessible to absolutely everyone, universal way to prevent a sexually transmitted disease is to use a condom. It does not give one hundred percent certainty, since it is not able to isolate all areas of the skin and mucous membranes, but it significantly reduces the risk of infection.
A high culture of sexual relations will help to avoid infection: the presence of one permanent partner, monitoring the health of each other's sexual sphere.
General tonic and tonic drugs taken for long courses and hardening measures will not harm. They are always, by the way, to protect against the enormous number of viral invaders around us. For the same purpose, use medications interferons.
A specific method for the prevention of this disease has been developed: HPV vaccination with a special vaccine developed in the USA. This method of preventing infection with papillomavirus infection is approved as a way to avoid the development of cervical cancer, which is associated with this microorganism, in women. In the US and Europe, routine vaccination is given to adolescents at 11-12 years of age, with two subsequent revaccinations 30 and 90 days later, respectively. The disadvantage of this method is the high cost of vaccination. At the moment, one vaccination in Russia costs about 10,000 rubles. However, in Moscow it is included in the occupational vaccination calendar and is performed free of charge. Approved for use in the Russian Federation drugs "Gardasil" and "Cervarix". They apply to both girls and boys.
A person with a “hidden” HPV infection, which does not manifest itself in any way, but is diagnosed by laboratory methods, needs to protect themselves from stressful conditions, identify and treat acute ailments, control chronic diseases, reduce / eliminate the burden on the body of tobacco, alcohol. All factors that negatively affect a person play a role in reducing immunity, which means they “help” the virus to become more active.
