HPV is a group of viruses that primarily affects the epithelial cells of the female genital tract. This family includes more than one hundred representatives of viruses. Human papillomavirus infections can be asymptomatic or accompanied by the appearance of specific warts and condylomas, generalization of the infection with severe damage to internal organs. One of the most dangerous complications of HPV infection in a woman’s body is the formation of malignant neoplasms of the vulva and cervix.

There are many different strains of papillomaviruses. Depending on their effect on the human body, experts divide all representatives of this family into various subgroups. The most important thing for determining further patient management tactics is classification according to the degree of oncogenicity.

Depending on the ability of the microorganism to cause cervical carcinoma, the following groups are distinguished:

• HPV with low oncogenic risk- these include viruses of types 3, 6, 13, 34, 42, 51. As a rule, infections caused by these representatives are asymptomatic and do not pose a threat to a woman’s health. However, HPV type 51 can cause active growth of warts in the genital and anal areas, and if they are frequently damaged, the risk of complications increases.
• Viruses with an average risk of oncogenicity- viruses of types 52 and 56 are tropic to the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the cervix and, in combination with other risk factors (hereditary predisposition, trauma, exposure to carcinogenic substances), can lead to the appearance of a malignant neoplasm.
• Highly oncogenic viruses- this group includes 16, 18, 31 and 33 types. Studies have shown that in case of cervical cancer, human papillomaviruses 16 and 18 are found in the patient’s body in 95% of cases. They have the ability to synthesize a special protein E7, which leads to malignancy of epithelial cells.

Human papillomaviruses 6 and 11 are classified into a separate group. Their presence in a woman’s body causes the appearance of giant papillomas in the vagina, prone to aggressive growth and rapid increase in size. This pathological process contributes to significant damage to surrounding tissues and the addition of secondary infections.

Generalized verrucosis, caused by viruses types 3 and 5, develops only with a genetic mutation and is characterized by the appearance of many warts throughout the body.

According to ICD-10, papillomaviruses are coded B97.7.

Causes of HPV infection

The defenses of a healthy person are able to cope with the infection on their own in 90% of cases. However, with a decrease in immunity, virions are able to penetrate into cells and cause disease.

HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact and contact. The following factors contribute to the disease:

• indiscriminate sexual contacts;
• frequent hypothermia;
• neglect of barrier methods of contraception;
• chronic genital tract infections;
• long-term diseases of internal organs, leading to disruption of the immune system;
• oncological diseases and use of cytostatics;
• failure to comply with the rules of personal and intimate hygiene;
• regular stress, nervous experiences;
• genetic predisposition.

In most cases, the occurrence of HPV infection is facilitated by a decrease in immunity caused by a combination of several factors. Contact and household transmission of infection can be realized through a handshake or body contact. It is especially relevant in childhood, when viruses are transmitted from a sick child to a healthy one through various microdamages of the skin - scratches, abrasions, wounds.

Viruses with weak oncogenic activity, which do not pose a particular danger to the body, are most often transmitted through contact.

Symptoms of the disease

The clinical manifestations of papillomatosis depend on the area in which the infection is localized. Warts and condylomas can appear on the skin and mucous membranes in the urethra, vagina, labia, around the anus and on the cervix.

Let's look at their features:

• If warts are localized in the groin area, new growths appear on the skin of the labia that differ in structure and color from healthy surrounding tissues. In most cases, genital warts are formed, resembling a cauliflower in shape. Warts may not change in size for a long time and do not bother a woman, being only a cosmetic defect. However, if they grow excessively, they can interfere with a full sexual life and natural childbirth.
• Flat papules of yellow, whitish or light pink color may form on the pubis and skin of the labia majora. This form of the disease is called “boneoid papulosis” and is most often caused by oncogenic types of HPV. If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible for the purpose of diagnosis, identification of the pathogen and initiation of etiological treatment.
• On the mucous membrane of the cervix, a gynecological examination reveals warts the color of the surrounding normal epithelium, genital warts, cervical erosion and dysplasia.

Very often, HPV infection occurs under the guise of other gynecological diseases, which creates difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis. A woman may complain of a feeling of discomfort, pain when trying to have sexual intercourse, burning and itching in the groin area, nagging pain in the lower abdomen above the pubis, the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding, mucous discharge from the vagina, deterioration in general health, weakness and an increase in body temperature to subfebrile numbers.

If these symptoms appear, consultation with a gynecologist is mandatory, regardless of whether the woman is sexually active or not. This is explained by the fact that any gynecological diseases reduce local defenses and can lead to further HPV infection and an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Features of the infection

Paillomavirus infection in the body of women differs in a number of features. The incubation period of the disease varies widely and can range from several weeks to several decades. That is why it is not always possible to establish the time and source of infection.

The specifics of the course of the disease can be considered:

• The duration of the latent course depends on the state of the body's defenses. The weaker the immune system, the shorter the incubation period.
• If condylomas affect only the cervix and vagina, the pathology can be asymptomatic for a long time or with nonspecific clinical manifestations and can only be detected during random gynecological examinations.
• In most cases, HPV infection cannot go away on its own without etiological treatment. With improper or incomplete therapy, condylomas continue to actively develop.
• When highly oncogenic types of papillomavirus are detected in the body, specific treatment and further monitoring of the woman are required for the purpose of early detection of possible complications.

Cervical cancer develops in approximately 1% of women diagnosed with HPV infection, taking into account all types of viruses, including non-oncogenic ones. From the moment of infection with the human papillomavirus to the development of cancer pathology, an average of 15-20 years pass.

In rare cases, in the absence of pathology of the immune system, self-healing from the virus is possible within 9 months after infection (transient infection).

Diagnosis of the disease

If unpleasant symptoms occur that indicate a possible HPV infection, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist or dermatovenerologist as soon as possible in order to establish an accurate diagnosis, determine the strain of the virus and prescribe appropriate therapy.

A comprehensive examination for papillomatosis includes:

• Careful collection of patient complaints and medical history.
• A general examination, during which a specialist carefully examines the woman’s skin, paying special attention to the genital area, perineum and perianal area.
• Examination in speculum with mandatory taking of smears for flora and atypical cells (PAP test) from the mucous membranes of the vagina, cervix and cervical canal.
• If a malignant neoplasm of the cervix is ​​suspected, the doctor may perform a biopsy - take a small fragment of the cervical epithelium and perform a histological examination.
• In order to determine the presence of HPV in the body and determine the type of virus, the polymerase chain reaction technique is used.
• The double hybrid trap method is a highly specific and accurate method for diagnosing HPV.

Bacteriological culture and serological reactions to other sexually transmitted diseases are used as additional research methods, since they can occur in parallel with HPV infection and mask its symptoms.

For a more accurate diagnosis, it is important to follow a number of simple measures before taking tests. Before a gynecological examination and taking smears, the external genitalia should be toileted; on the eve of the examination, vaginal suppositories and creams should not be used; 2-3 days before the examination, one should abstain from sexual intercourse. Blood for serological analysis must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, regardless of the day of the menstrual cycle.

If cervical pathology is detected, a test for tumor markers is mandatory. To diagnose cervical cancer caused by HPV, the level of the specific E7 protein is determined.

Treatment of pathology

When the DNA of a highly oncogenic papillomavirus is detected in a woman’s body and the symptoms of papillomatosis, the gynecologist selects a comprehensive effective treatment. Measures in the presence of HPV infection should be aimed at reducing the activity of the dangerous virus, eliminating the manifestations of the disease, and preventing the occurrence of malignant neoplasms.

When described, pathologists use:

• local therapy aimed at destroying warts and condylomas;
• systemic antiviral drugs leading to the elimination of the virus from the body;
• surgical intervention;
• immunomodulatory drugs and multivitamins to increase the body's defenses;
• symptomatic therapy (drugs that eliminate itching, detoxification).

The most effective is the combination of surgery to remove condylomas with specific antiviral treatment.

When treating papillomatosis, an integrated approach and careful adherence to all medical recommendations are very important. It is also mandatory to examine the sexual partner and prescribe special therapy for him if HPV is detected. This is necessary to avoid reinfection and complications.

Surgical treatment of papillomatosis

Surgical treatment is used for active growth of condylomas and warts, which creates an obstacle to childbirth and normal sexual life. As treatment, a woman is offered:

1. Laser removal of skin lesions - the most effective and safe method that can be used even for young, nulliparous girls and during pregnancy. The only drawback of this method is the relatively long recovery period (from 6 months to 1 year).
2. Surgery- excision of warts and condylomas. Indications for this are large sizes of papillomas. Scars may form after the intervention, so this method is not indicated for nulliparous women planning a pregnancy in the near future.
3. Cryodestruction- used to remove external papillomas localized on the skin of the perineum of the labia. During the intervention, pathological lesions are exposed to liquid nitrogen. The advantages of the method include its speed, painlessness, short recovery period and the absence of postoperative scars. The disadvantage is the high risk of relapse of the disease some time after treatment.
4. Radio wave method- the most effective modern method. Recovery after this intervention averages 2-3 weeks, and the risk of recurrence of the disease is minimal.
5. Electrocoagulation- removal of condylomas with electric current under local anesthesia. The method is contraindicated during pregnancy.

The choice of surgical treatment method is made by the attending physician, based on data on the localization and extent of the pathological process, as well as taking into account associated factors (the woman’s health status, pregnancy).

After removal of condylomas, the patient must be prescribed a course of etiological and restorative treatment. These measures are the prevention of relapse of HPV infection and papillomatosis.

Conservative therapy

Drug treatment of HPV infection consists of local and systemic therapy.

Local medications are designed to destroy condylomas chemically. Drugs such as Podophyllin and Foresol cauterize and lead to mummification of the affected tissue. Solcoderm destroys warts at the cellular level.

The following are also used as conservative therapy:

• Groprinosin- tablets with antiviral and immunomodulatory activity. Most often, the drug is prescribed in combination with burning local agents or surgery.
• Vaginal suppositories Panavir- an antiviral drug of plant origin, has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. The medicine has virtually no side effects; the only contraindication to its use is an allergy to the components of the product.
• Creams and ointments based on Acyclovir(Zovirax, Acigerpin). The products have a delicate effect on the skin and mucous membranes of the affected area, without leaving burns or scars. The drugs are approved for use in the treatment of pregnant women.
• - an antiviral, immunomodulatory drug that prevents the proliferation of oncogenic viruses.
• Lycopid- an effective tablet drug prescribed for cervical papillomatosis. The use of this drug in combination with antiviral therapy significantly increases its effectiveness.
• Cytostatics(5-fluorouracil, Bleomycin) are prescribed for diagnosed cervical precancer.

In order to increase the body's defenses, doctors often prescribe multivitamin preparations. It is especially important that they contain vitamins A, B, C and E. During treatment, you should try to avoid stress, overwork and follow a specialized diet. The diet of patients must be balanced, sufficient in calories and contain all the necessary nutrients. During the treatment period, it is important to give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol), and exclude hot, smoked and spicy foods.

Antibiotics are ineffective against the human papillomavirus, but can be part of complex conservative treatment if a woman has a concomitant bacterial infection of the genital tract.

Treatment of the disease at home

When starting treatment, you should remember that HPV cannot be effectively gotten rid of using folk remedies. However, by using home remedies, you can increase the body's defenses and immunity, which will speed up recovery.

Traditional methods for fighting papillomavirus include:

• Herbal decoction, prepared from dried lemon balm, plantain, horsetail and dandelion. Dry herbs should be taken in equal quantities and mixed, then 3 tbsp. l. Pour 1 liter of clean water into the resulting mixture, let it boil and cook for 10 minutes. The resulting drink must be filtered and taken 2 tbsp. l. three times a day half an hour before meals.
• Cranberry- a berry that has the ability to increase the body's defenses. It has long been used for colds, infections of the genitourinary system and papillomatosis. To prepare cranberry broth at home, 0.5 kg of fresh berries should be rubbed through a sieve or twisted in a meat grinder. Add 2 finely chopped apples and a handful of chopped walnuts to the resulting mass. Then add 0.5 kg of sugar and a glass of water to the mixture and boil over low heat until thickened. You need to take 2 tbsp of the medicine. l. twice a day. For greater effectiveness, it is recommended to drink the product with strong black tea.
• Potato juice– the prescription is widely used for the treatment of HPV. To prepare the product, it is better to choose pink varieties of potatoes. The course of this therapy is 2 months, during which you need to drink 0.5 glasses of juice 30 minutes before meals.
• Dried fruit mixture– is an effective means for stabilizing the immune system. Chopped dried fruits (dried apricots, raisins), nuts and honey are mixed and transferred to a sterile jar. You need to take this vitamin mixture 1 tbsp. three times a day.

Treatment with home remedies can be used for papillomavirus. However, when highly oncogenic strains of microorganisms are detected in the body, it is important not to hope for a complete cure with their help, but to undergo medical and surgical treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Before using any traditional methods for the treatment of HPV, you should definitely consult with your doctor to identify possible contraindications.

HPV prevention

A modern effective method of preventing HPV is vaccination. With it, artificially created “empty” viral particles containing only a protein shell without DNA are introduced into a woman’s body. In response to their administration, specific antibodies are produced that protect the body when live viruses penetrate it.

WHO identifies the following indications for preventive vaccination:

• The patient’s age is from 9 to 25 years;
• lack of sexual activity (this is why teenage girls are most often subject to vaccination);
• prevention of cervical and vaginal cancer, which is especially important in case of family history.

The HPV vaccine is administered three times according to the “0-2-6” month schedule. Before administering the vaccine, it is important to determine antibodies to HPV or conduct a PCR test. The vaccine will be ineffective in an already infected body.

A doctor talks more about vaccinating women against HPV in the video.

Disease prevention measures also include the use of barrier methods of contraception, indiscriminate sexual intercourse, adherence to rules of intimate hygiene, timely treatment of STIs, prevention of early sexual activity (the optimal age according to WHO is 18 years and older), as well as regular medical examinations of the woman and her sexual partner .

HPV is one of the most diverse and dangerous viruses that has the ability to increase the risk of cervical cancer. If the slightest symptoms of the disease appear, it is important to consult a doctor for early diagnosis. Timely comprehensive treatment will help improve the patient’s general condition and avoid the development of possible complications.

It 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 a strong immunity to the type of pathogen with which he was infected.

The causative agent of the disease

Papillomavirus is a microscopic life form that lives only inside the cells of the body. Its microbial bodies contain DNA as genetic material. The favorite site of infection for this pathogen is the cells of the skin and mucous membranes.

Medical science has discovered more than nine dozen varieties of microorganisms. They are divided into groups in different ways, but the following classification is of practical interest.

HPV types:

• Non-oncogenic. They cause the formation of warts, for example plantar warts (HPV 1, 2, 4, 10).
• Weakly oncogenic. They contribute to the occurrence of condylomas on the mucous membranes of various localizations (HPV 6, 11, 30).
• Highly tumorigenic, when infected with them, dysplastic changes and cancerous lesions of the skin and mucous membranes develop (HPV 16, 18, 30, 39, 45, 51, 56, 68). The 16th and 18th subtypes are currently recognized as especially dangerous.

How is human papillomavirus infection transmitted?

Neither other biological species of warm-blooded animals other than humans, nor other organisms (insects, helminths, etc.) participate in its transmission. The microbe is transmitted directly: people become infected from each other most often through direct contact. A less common route of infection is through objects contaminated with the microbe. Like any virus, it is poorly adapted to survive outside host cells, however, if found in fresh secretions, it can survive for some time.

Main distribution routes:

1. Sexual. For any types of unprotected sexual intercourse when the skin and mucous membranes come into contact. It is not necessary for a person suffering from papillomavirus infection to have visible growths. Damage is possible without the formation of significant growths; such a “carrier of the virus” is potentially dangerous to others.
2. Domestic. The microorganism can survive for some time in a humid environment. Therefore, you can become infected with it in public places with high humidity: swimming pools, baths, saunas. There is also a possibility of transmission of the pathogen through unsterile instruments during medical procedures.
3. Vertical. This is the name for the way an infection spreads from a mother to a newborn child; this can occur during pregnancy - the movement of microbes through the placenta, childbirth - through contact, or during breastfeeding - through milk. In the case of HPV, the baby becomes infected while passing through the birth canal.
4. Hematogenous transmission cannot be excluded.

Factors facilitating transmission of the microorganism

The risk of infection is quite high in people:

• Leading a promiscuous sex life;
• Not using personal protective equipment;
• Poor hygiene of the external genitalia.

Infection with HPV upon contact with the pathogen does not always occur and depends on several factors, including the state of general and local immunity. The peculiarity of this disease is that the severity of its symptoms varies depending on the state of the patient’s immune system. In accordance with this, the number and severity of growths on the body may 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 several types of viruses at the same time.

Promote infection, aggravate the course of the pathological process, increase the severity of manifestations:

• Stressful situations;
• Smoking;
• Taking narcotic drugs;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Concomitant diseases of the kidneys, liver, digestive tract, heart and blood vessels, genitourinary system, including other sexually transmitted diseases;
• Constant use of certain medications (glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, cytostatics). They are prescribed to patients suffering from severe allergic diseases, tumor pathologies, and rheumatic diseases.

How is the diagnosis made?

WITH the covered period (incubation) - the time from infection to the appearance of clinical signs - can last up to several years. This makes it impossible to identify the source of infection in most patients, since they forget casual partners and/or visiting 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.

What do patients affected by the virus complain about?

There may be no signs of the disease at all, but the human immune system is quite strong and successfully contains the virus in a “dormant” state. In this case, the infection can be detected only by performing tests and identifying the DNA of the microorganism.

The patient may have characteristic formations, but not bother him in any way, then A person learns that he is sick with human papillomavirus infection at a dispensary appointment with a doctor.

During a clinical examination, the doctor may identify the following manifestations of the disease:

a) Formations on the skin and mucous membranes

Condylomas- have “legs” and a tendency to merge, externally 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, they often merge. Their color is pinkish or flesh-colored, and they also have a “leg.” Favorite location: groin, neck, face, armpits.

Warts- come in variable colors, usually formed on surfaces that are often injured, subject to friction, maceration (sole, elbows, neck).

All types of formations are easily traumatized and bleed.

b) Flow without typical formations

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, and dryness during sexual intercourse is especially pronounced if the mucous membranes are affected.

c) Oral localization

d) Dysplasia and cervical cancer

The first disease is the degeneration of the integumentary epithelium of the organ, the so-called precancerous condition. The second is the malignant tumor itself. HPV affects the DNA of the human cells in which it lives, causing their damage and malignancy. Therefore, it is classified as an oncogenic virus. There are types of papillomatous virus that are conditionally classified as non-oncogenic, but they should not be discounted and considered harmless.

Symptoms of these conditions:

• Discharge of a mucous, bloody nature;
• Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen, discomfort, pain both during sexual intercourse and at rest;
• Feeling of burning, itching, dryness of the vaginal mucosa;
• Sexual function disorders - absence of menstruation, painful periods, disappearance of ovulation and, as a result, problems with conception.

e) Cancer of the external genitalia and anus

It is rare, but you shouldn’t 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 sexual intercourse and/or bowel movements.

Specificity of the disease depending on gender

Features of the course of infection in patients of different sexes and ages are usually manifested by the predominant frequency of damage to certain organs.

In men

Unpleasant growths are found around the anus, on the penis (the frenulum of the foreskin and the glans, in the groove around the latter).

Among women

Neoplasms are found on the external genitalia (labia, clitoris, perineal skin), in the area of ​​the urethral opening. The second most common location is on the vaginal walls and cervix.

in the photo: genital manifestations of VPI in men and women

In children

The disease manifests itself with characteristic growths. Classified into forms depending on the location of the lesions:

1. Anogenital;
2. Laryngotracheal.

Pregnancy and human papillomavirus infection

During pregnancy, the body's immune defense naturally weakens. This means that in this condition the risk of contracting any infection for a woman increases. If the expectant mother was infected some time ago and had no signs of illness, there is a high probability of the primary manifestation of the pathology during the period of gestation for the same reason - due to weakened immunity.

The virus is transmitted to the child during its passage through the birth canal, so the danger for the baby is posed by types of HPV that provoke the formation of growths in the genital area and anus. The route of infection in this case is contact.

Detection of human papillomavirus infection in a woman before pregnancy requires completion of therapy before conception. The drugs used for treatment are toxic to the fetus. Detection of papillomatosis in a pregnant woman also requires its treatment. Moreover, the latter begins 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 medications are no longer so dangerous.

Danger for the pregnant woman herself may arise during childbirth if the growths are extensive and located on the genitals. Then there is a possibility of injury, bleeding and a threat to the life of the expectant mother. The final decision is made by the attending doctor in such situations: a planned caesarean section is often required.

What will the diagnostics show?

Classic tests (blood, urine)

They are compulsory, although there will be no changes specific only to this disease. However, they are required by doctors in order to identify concomitant diseases and possible complications of papillomatosis.

With all viral infections, changes in the blood picture differ from those with bacterial diseases. 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. A decrease in the level of neutrophils in the leukocyte formula is possible.

Urinalysis does not change with this disease.

Additional tests

• HPV DNA was found in the discharge.
• There are patient complaints and clinical manifestations of the disease.
• In the cells of the cervix, a smear from the vaginal mucosa, and the urethral wall, pathological changes were found that corresponded to those due to infection.

In the absence of the last two signs, they speak of a “transient viral infection.”

Instrumental studies

Suspecting HPV infection, the doctor prescribes, in addition to a routine examination by a specialist:

1. Colposcopy (instrumental examination of the vagina and cervix);
2. Urethroscopy (examination of the condition of the urethra from the inside);

Having discovered areas of the mucous membrane during colposcopy that are different from others, doctors perform a special study: wetting the tissues with a solution of acetic acid and iodine. A patient affected by HPV will have a characteristic “mosaic” appearance of the mucous membranes. Also performed:

• Mucosal smear with cytology;
• Pinching off a piece of tissue (biopsy) with histology.

The last two studies require microscopy. Pathological tissues removed during surgery are studied in the same way.

Video: doctor's opinion about HPV

Therapy for papillomavirus infection

There are no specific drugs to combat it, however, the patient can be cured. There are several therapeutic and surgical methods to treat the disease.

Conservative (non-surgical) methods

Administration of drugs in the form of solutions intradermally or applying them externally in the form of ointments, gels to growths. There are also medications for use in the form of anal/vaginal suppositories. Cytostatic drugs and medications with general antiviral and regeneration-stimulating effects are used:

• Panavir.
• Epigen.
• Salicylic acid.
• Bleomycin.

The drugs are quite toxic, and their use in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children is prohibited.

At the same time, they fight secondary infections of a bacterial, chlamydial, or viral nature, if any. This requires specific medications.

It is always useful to prescribe multivitamin complexes and adaptogenic agents.

Surgery

Trying to remove growths - condylomas, papillomas and warts - is not worth it on your own. You can help spread the virus from pathologically altered skin to normal skin. In addition, it is possible for a secondary bacterial infection to enter the wound, that is, suppuration.

Various methods are used to remove tumors:

Operational classic

Traditional resection of altered tissues with a surgical scalpel. The method does not require too complex special equipment, personnel training, or special conditions in the hospital. This determines its cheapness. However, after removal, scars remain. Now special equipment has been invented, produced and widely used that allows the use of radio frequency cutting tools. They cause less damage to healthy tissue.

Coagulation

Depending on the type of equipment and the effective agent used for this, the effects are distinguished: electric current, laser, chemicals (pheresol; solcoderm; podophyllotoxin, trichloroacetic acid, solkovagin, condyline). 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 scarring of the remaining tissues.

Cryodestruction

Destruction of growths with liquid nitrogen.

Photodynamic method

In this case, only pathological cells are destroyed as a result of the targeted effect of light on them. In this case, a sensitizing substance is previously introduced into the affected area. It accumulates only in cells infected with the virus. This method, which preserves the anatomical structure of intact tissues, is contraindicated in acute inflammatory diseases of the genital organs and pregnancy.

None of the treatment methods guarantees a complete cure. and will not protect you from relapses. The reason is simple - medical science and practice have not learned to fight the disease-causing factor; therapy is still symptomatic.

How to avoid getting infected with a virus?

No matter how trivial it may sound, so far the only, simple, accessible to absolutely everyone, universal way to prevent a disease transmitted through sexual contact is to use a condom. It does not provide 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: having one permanent partner, monitoring each other’s sexual health.

General restoratives and tonics taken in long courses and hardening measures will not harm. By the way, they are always there to protect us from the colossal number of viral invaders around us. Interferon medications are used for the same purposes.

A specific method for preventing this disease has been developed: vaccination against HPV with a special vaccine developed in the USA. This method of preventing human papillomavirus infection is approved as a way to avoid the development of cervical cancer, which is associated with this microorganism, in women. In the USA and Europe, routine vaccination is carried out for adolescents at 11-12 years of age, with two subsequent booster vaccinations after 30 and 90 days, respectively. The disadvantage of this method is the high cost of vaccination. At the moment in Russia, one vaccination costs approximately 10 thousand rubles. However, in Moscow it is included in the professional vaccination calendar and is performed free of charge. The drugs Gardasil and Cervarix have been approved for use in the Russian Federation. They are used in 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 himself from stressful conditions, identify and treat acute illnesses, control chronic diseases, reduce/eliminate the burden on the body with tobacco and alcohol. All factors that negatively affect a person play a role in reducing immunity, which means they “help” the virus become more active.

Video: lecture on modern approaches to human papillomavirus infection

According to the World Health Organization, there are currently more than half a million cases of cervical cancer reported annually. About 250 thousand women die from this disease due to too late diagnosis and ineffective treatment. The human papillomavirus is one of the most dangerous oncogenic viruses that provokes the development of malignant tumors.

HPV is the name for a unified family of viruses that includes more than 100 different species. All these strains are divided according to the degree of oncogenic risk. About 13 strains lead to various types of cancer. After recovering from the virus, a person can become infected again.

Types of virus

According to statistics, more than half of the Russian population are carriers of different types of the virus, which shows the enormous prevalence of the virus. But this does not mean that HPV becomes a fatal diagnosis for everyone. Many types of papillomavirus do not affect human health in any way and only cause aesthetic defects in the form of papillomas and warts.

There are strains of the virus in which the development of cancer is almost impossible, the so-called low-oncogenic risk HPV. Types of the intermediate oncogenic type are also widespread, and these two categories include most varieties of papillomavirus.

There are significantly fewer types of viruses that provoke the occurrence of malignant tumors. This includes types 31, 33, 6, 11, 16 and 18. The last two pose a greater threat to women. Today, with the help of numerous studies, a connection has been reliably established between the development of cervical cancer and infection with types 16 and 18 of HPV. In 70% of cases, the appearance of malignant neoplasms is associated with the destructive effects of infection. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women.

Already in the first two years after the virus enters the body, 15-30% of women experience changes in the cervical area, and a precancerous condition occurs. During the same time, such changes occur in only 2% of women not infected with HPV.

Types 16 and 18 are dangerous due to the complete absence of external manifestations. Only appropriate tests can indicate the presence of papillomavirus, while the infection itself is asymptomatic. Even with a routine examination by a gynecologist, it is impossible to detect infection with these types of viruses. This manifestation of the virus is called the latent form and without treatment can lead to the development of cancer.

Transfer methods

The most common route of transmission is unprotected sex with HPV carriers. The risk of contracting the virus in the first three years after first sexual intercourse is 46%. That is why those women and girls who can only have one sexual partner are added to groups traditionally at risk, for example, prostitutes. In particular, a high percentage of infections occurs among adolescents. Infection can occur through any type of sexual contact, including anal and oral.

Another method of infection is infection of newborns passing through the birth canal. If the expectant mother is a carrier of HPV, the child has a high chance of catching the virus during natural childbirth. Subsequently, such children may develop laryngeal papillomatosis, a viral disease characterized by the appearance of papillomas in the larynx. Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, a woman needs to treat the infection, if present.

Known and contact and household route of infection. This can occur through small skin wounds through close contact. For example, when using common hygiene items, visiting the gym or swimming pool. However, this route of transmission cannot lead to infection with a highly oncogenic type of HPV. But this way it is quite possible to become infected with skin warts.

How does infection occur?

HPV infects stratified epithelium, which determines the affected area - the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA of the virus seeks to penetrate the nucleus of a human cell. Its goal is the reproduction of oncogenic proteins there. After this happens, they begin to rapidly replicate. If this is a benign growth, then the cells do not extend beyond the epithelium. If malignant, the spread of the pathological process triggers the occurrence of metastases. The incubation period lasts about three months.

Manifestations of HPV

• Warts. Dense growths with an uneven surface and color from gray to black. Appear after infection with low-oncogenic types of the virus. They do not threaten human life and health, but cause cosmetic problems. They are most often localized in the area of ​​the hands and feet, but can also appear on the surface of the entire skin. There are also plantar warts, which become thicker and rougher when walking. Their characteristic difference is the appearance of blood when the top is cut off.
• Genital warts. They are benign neoplasms located on the skin and genitals. There are growths that are flesh-colored, pink or brown. Their characteristic feature is rapid spread. They can occur in the cervix, but it is also possible that the urethra, rectum and anus are affected. Condylomas cause discomfort in the form of itching and burning. At an early stage, single growths most often appear. At later stages, condylomas show the ability to merge. They do not pose a risk of degeneration into malignant neoplasms.
• Flat condylomas. More dangerous in terms of the development of cancer. The likelihood of cancer increases as new growths appear. This type of condylomas is usually located on the vaginal mucosa.
• Bowenoid papulosis. A viral disease considered precancerous. A characteristic feature is a rash in the genital area. Pigmented papules also appear - smooth brown formations. Papules often appear together with condylomas and warts. The components of the rash can lead to various types of cancer that are dangerous for women.
• Cervical cancer. For every woman, there is a risk that the virus will degenerate into a chronic form, and the precancerous condition may ultimately develop into cancer. If you don't treat the virus, it will just be a matter of time. In women with good immunity, such processes occur within 15 years. For those whose bodies suffer from weakened immunity, for example, HIV-positive women, this will take only 5 years.

Diagnosis of the disease

It often happens that a woman can discover problems in the body after a routine visit to the gynecologist, where a smear is taken from her. To identify the causes of possible diseases, the doctor has to conduct a number of additional studies and tests.

So, the procedure for diagnosing the disease should be as follows:

1. An initial external examination by a doctor, during which a smear is taken to determine the state of the vaginal microflora, the level of leukocytes and identify diseases.
2. If the test results are unsatisfactory, as indicated by an increased level of leukocytes, the gynecologist prescribes additional tests for STDs, which necessarily include several strains of HPV. In particular, PCR analysis is used to help determine not only the presence of the virus in the body, but also its types. Together with the PRC, a quantitative test is performed to diagnose the level of virus concentration. This indicator, as well as the number of tumors, influence the possibility of oncology.
3. When the result shows one or more types of HPV, the woman is scheduled for colposcopy. This is a procedure for examining the cervix using a colposcope, a device designed for multiple magnification. In this way, a detailed examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva is carried out. Using colposcopy, you can assess how much the virus has affected the condition of the cervix, identify lesions, and view the presence of precancerous changes and genital warts. Typically, the gynecologist performs an extended colposcopy using chemicals to identify atypical lesions.
4. When HPV is diagnosed, treatment is prescribed according to the type of virus and its manifestations.

Treatment of papillomavirus

The human papillomavirus can be hidden in the host’s body for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. Its development is stopped by the immune system, which should inhibit the spread of foreign DNA. One of the areas of treatment is aimed at maintaining and activating the immune system. This method is called conservative and includes the prescription of immunomodulatory and antiviral drugs (Isoprinosine, Allokin-alpha and others).

Another direction is aimed at eliminating the consequences of infection: removing existing papillomas and condylomas. There are several ways to do this:

HPV prevention

Prevention of this disease comes down to a few simple rules:

1. Using condoms as a means of contraception during sexual intercourse. This point is especially important, since sexual transmission of infection is the most common.
2. Examination by a gynecologist. Women need to be examined by a doctor and have a smear every six months to know about the condition of their body.
3. Maintaining immunity. It is the immune system that gives the main resistance to papillomavirus, and good immunity can suppress its manifestations even before the infection develops.

Nonspecific methods of prevention include vaccinations against highly oncogenic HPV types. These vaccines protect against types 16 and 18 and may provide some protection against other types of the virus. Having successfully completed clinical trials, the vaccines are considered safe and effective. However, vaccination should be carried out before the first sexual contact, because it only prevents the virus from entering the body, but cannot cure an existing infection. They recommend vaccinating girls aged 10 to 13 years.

Human papillomavirus infection, otherwise known as human papillomavirus, is a unique virus, the peculiarity of which is the inconspicuous development of oncological diseases. Most often, the first signals of acquired HPV are the appearance of warts, condylomas, and spines that appear in the neck, face, under the breasts, and on the genitals.

Symptoms, signs and forms of HPV

The disease progresses differently in each person, but most often only minor signs can provide the carrier with information about the presence of this disease. If there are no such signs, then a person is not able to independently identify its presence. Only additional help will help.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus in women

HPV usually appears in women before they reach 30 years of age. Multiple or single condylomas on the body are a clear sign of infection. Frequently changing sexual partners or not using contraceptives can affect your health. Having no clinical signs, human papillomavirus infection may not bother the carrier until the necessary analysis is completed.

Methods for detecting human papillomavirus

Medicine has achieved unprecedented success, so the human papillomavirus can be detected using several:

1. Histological examination
2. Examination by a gynecologist or dermatologist who can identify the presence of lesions on the surface of the skin
3. Cytological examination
4. Using a magnifying glass or colposcope
5. Molecular biological techniques
6. Targeted biopsy to detect the presence of malignant tumors

In parallel with the above studies, patients are tested for hepatitis, AIDS, syphilis, HIV, and other urogenital infections. It is not difficult to identify the disease, since often after the examination the doctor already notifies the patient about the presence of the human papillomavirus.

If there are difficulties in making a diagnosis, then additional tests are prescribed that can not only report the disease, but also identify the presence of malignant neoplasms. Unfortunately, the carrier will be forced to visit doctors quite a bit to determine which of them is able to deal with his particular type of human papillomavirus.

HPV types

More than 130 types of human papillomavirus have been identified, and only 30 belong to the risk group. The following are considered the most basic:

1. - malignant lesion of the body
2. Low-tumorigenic- can manifest themselves in the form of condylomas and develop benign pathology, which forms in the cervix in the female population and in the groin in men.
3. Safe- often have no manifestations and do not affect the functioning of the body, but if they are not removed in time, they will take on a more harmful form

The process is based on the ability of human papillomavirus infection to trigger the process of mutation in the body. Thus, the male half of the population is diagnosed with malignant diseases, such as cancer of the penis or bladder. And women are susceptible to cervical or vaginal cancer.

Causes and routes of transmission of human papillomavirus

A huge list of reasons can affect the spread of the human papillomavirus, since the disease is extremely adapted to survival. Almost any conditions become a cause for infection.

Risk factors and modes of transmission of human papillomavirus

1. Any microtrauma on the skin can become a source of infection.
2. Infected people and animals pose a huge problem for healthy people, since the slightest contact with a carrier of the human papillomavirus poses a threat - sharing a towel, toothbrush or sexual contact, no matter oral, vaginal or anal, can cause transmission of the disease.
3. A humid environment also causes the virus to appear - frequent visits to saunas, swimming pools and similar places are a common cause of the disease.
4. Butchers, chicken and fish sellers often become carriers.
5. Self-infection can occur after shaving or any other hair removal. Flat condylomas appear in the face, on the legs, and genitals. Papillomas appear on the hands of people who bite their nails.
6. When warts are removed surgically, even medical staff can become infected from the patient.

HPV and pregnancy

Before a planned pregnancy, gynecologists recommend carrying out a set of procedures to identify the human papillomavirus. If the virus is found, then it is imperative to carry out antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapy, which can only be prescribed by the attending physician.

Infected pregnant women who have a latent form of infection cannot infect their baby with a similar disease, although the risk is still present. During pregnancy, the carrier's body reacts in its own way.

So some women heal themselves in the process, leaving no traces, and sometimes the scale of the problem goes beyond reasonable limits and the warts reach enormous sizes. In addition to the surface of the body, condylomas also form on the mucous membranes. Sometimes neoplasms go away with the birth of a child, which is explained by a radical change in hormonal levels and the formation of blood vessels after childbirth.

The immune system works in a new way, which allows the mother to get rid of the hated sore. a child may develop if during childbirth the mother has genital warts that affect the birth canal.

Treatment of papillomavirus infection

In order for a person to be examined, it is imperative to identify all lesions - both on the skin and on the mucous membranes, then undergo all tests and consult with a specialist. Under no circumstances should you carry out treatment yourself. Human papillomavirus infection is one of the diseases the existence of which can only be confirmed by a doctor who can determine its type.

Which doctor treats HPV?

• If papillary papillomas appear on the body, you must seek the help of a dermatologist, venereologist or dermatovenerologist. If there are doubts about a partner’s fidelity, even when using contraceptives, a dermatovenerologist will help identify the cause. A dermatologist can refer you to remove the unwanted tumor and exclude further examination. A dermatovenereologist or venereologist will approach the problem more globally.
• , after which cervical cancer develops, they must be examined by a urologist or gynecologist, depending on the gender of the patient.
• If there is no oncogenic strain during the study, the growth can simply be removed by referring the patient to a surgeon.
• If malfunctions in the functioning of the immune system are detected, an immunologist will help create a therapy.

How to decipher the analysis for HPV type?

• Types 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the virus are considered the safest of all known.
• The most severe types of virus are 31, 70, 45, 35, 58, 39, 68, 56 and 33.
• Benign pathology is caused by types 6, 11, 43, 42 and 44.

Drug treatment of papillomatous virus

In no case is he able to cure the disease on his own, nor can he prescribe medications for himself. Only the doctor conducting the research has this ability. The most common drugs:

1. Cytostatics with 50% efficiency, suitable for removing tumors
2. Preparations with trichloroacetic acid are suitable for treating the anogenital area
3. Solcoderm is used if foot pain appears,

Hardware procedures in the treatment of HPV

1. - has relatively little effectiveness, removing papillomas in 60% of cases
2. Electrocoagulation is extremely effective, but has a high percentage of disease relapses
3. Radio wave therapy - used only to remove single warts
4. effective, but the damaged area takes a long time to heal and the rash may reappear

Ointments for HPV

1. Salicylic ointment - helps to cauterize papillomas and dry the skin
2. Viferon - suitable for genital warts that are sexually transmitted to the patient
3. Riodoxol - heals plantar growths, removes condylomas
4. Panavir is a humane herbal remedy, after which relapse of the disease becomes almost impossible, improves the condition of the immune system, and is suitable for mucous membranes

Human papillomavirus and folk remedies

1. Marsh dried grass, valerian root, coriander fruits, motherwort, lemon balm, oregano, hop cones, linden blossom - 1 tablespoon of each plant is mixed in 0.5 liters. boiling water and infuse in a thermos for 3 hours. Drink the contents in 2 doses during the day.
2. Dandelion root, rose hips, nettle, lemon balm, plantain leaf and horsetail in equal parts pour 0.8 liters. water. Boil for 10 minutes, then leave for 3 hours. Drink a glass of the mixture 3 times a day.
3. You can take an infusion consisting of one component - thyme, oregano or lemon balm. Pour 2 tablespoons into 0.5 liters. boiled water, then take half a glass before meals.
4. The white is separated from the egg and stored in a glass container in the refrigerator. Apply several layers to the affected area, waiting until the previous one dries. The wart will fall off on its own after 3 applications.
5. For lotions, use the juice of Kolanchoe, celandine, or make a strong decoction from the string. The liquid is applied to the papilloma, a patch is applied and left overnight. It is necessary to do 10 procedures.
6. 5 kg. horse chestnut should be poured with boiling water, left and take a bath once a day. This method is suitable for those who have multiple papillomas on their body.

If for some reason the patient cannot use pharmaceutical medications, then the duration of treatment using folk remedies should be 3 months. To enhance the healing properties more deeply, you need to eat a clove of garlic every day.

Will traditional treatment help?

Herbal medicine can help a person recover from an illness, but it is extremely rare, so you should take a more responsible approach to your health and visit a doctor. If the results from folk remedies do not follow within a month or the first 10 procedures, then you will have to use conservative treatment methods.

There is a possibility of triggering a disease or deteriorating the general condition of the skin, so most often traditional methods are used only by ardent supporters of herbal medicine.

Effective treatment of human papillomavirus

In order for the human papilloma virus in men or women to go away as quickly as possible, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules that can more effectively help in eliminating the disease:

• Use the capabilities of colposcopy and cytological examination in women with warts in the genitals, and screen for CNV (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia)
• Take tests for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases in patients and their partners, and do an examination of the genitals
• Do not relax during treatment and watch for the development of repeated signs of papillomavirus infection
• Remove absolutely all warts and try to do the procedure in the early stages
• Pay attention to hygiene products and contraceptives

If a woman is pregnant, then it is necessary to carry out treatment in the first trimester. Exophytic type condylomas are removed at an early stage, since rapid growth is possible in the last trimester, which will affect the child’s health.

Prevention of human papillomavirus infection

1. There is a vaccine that can protect a person from HPV - Gardasil. This discovery was made back in 2007; the vaccine is approved in Russia, but is not yet on the list of mandatory ones. Many people with weak immune systems resort to its help, but only after consulting with their doctor.
2. Screening diagnostics makes it possible to detect human papillomavirus infection in the early stages.
3. You should be attentive to your body, examining it for the presence of formations. If neoplasms appear, consult a doctor immediately.