Birus Human Papillomas (HPV) is extremely common in the worldwide sexually transmitted infection.
The peculiarity of this infection is that for many years it may not manifest itself in any way, but ultimately leads to the development of benign (papillomas) or malignant (cervical cancer) genital diseases.
Types of human papillomavirus
More than 100 types of HPV are known. The species are the special "subspecies" of the virus that differ from each other. The types are indicated by numbers that are assigned to them when opened.
The group with high oncogenic risk is 14 species: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68 (these species are related to the development of cervical cancer).
In addition, the types of low oncogenic risk (mainly 6 and 11) are known. They lead to the formation of anogenital warts (pointed warts, papillomas). The papillomas are located on the mucous membrane of the vulva, the vagina, in the perianal region, on the skin of the genitals. They almost never become malignant, but lead to significant cosmetic defects in the genital area. Warts from other parts of the body (arms, legs, face) can also be caused by these types of viruses and may have different origin. In the following articles, we will discuss the types of HPV "high risk" and "low risk" separately.
Human papilloma infection of human papilloma
The virus is transmitted mainly in intercourse. Sooner or later HPV almost all women become infected: up to 90% of sexually active women will encounter this infection throughout life.
But there is good news: most infected (about 90%) will get rid of HPV without any medical interventions for two years.
This is a normal course of the infectious process caused by HPV in the human body. This time it is enough for the human immune system to get rid of the virus. In such a situation, HPV will not harm the body.That is, if HPV is discovered a while ago, but now it's not, it's absolutely normal!
It should be borne in mind that the immune system works for different people with "different speeds". In this regard, HPV release speed may be different in sexual partners. Therefore, a situation is possible when one partner finds HPV and the other does not.
Most people become infected with HPV shortly after the start of sexual activity and many will never understand that HPV is infected. No constant immunity is formed after infection, so re -infection is possible as the same virus that has already had a meeting and other types of viruses.
HPV "high risk" is dangerous as it can lead to the development of cervical cancer and some other cancers. HPV at high risk does not cause other problems. HPV does not lead to the development of inflammation on the vaginal mucosa/cervix, menstrual disorders or infertility.
HPV does not affect the ability to conceive and arrange pregnancy. The HPV's "high risk" of the child is not transmitted during pregnancy and during birth. Diagnosis of human papillomavirus virus
In practice, it is pointless to analyze HPV HPV at high oncogenic risk up to 25 years (except for those women who start a sex life early (up to 18 years)), since at that time it is very likely to detect a virus that will soon leave the body on its own.
After 25-30 years, it makes sense to analyze:
- Along with cytology analysis (PAP - test). If there are changes to the PAP test and HPV "high risk", then this situation requires special attention;
- The long -term HPV resistance "high risk" in the absence of cytological changes also requires attention. Recently, the sensitivity of HPV testing has been shown to prevent cervical cancer is higher than the sensitivity of cytological examination and therefore the definition of only HPV (without cytological studies) has been approved as an independent study of the prevention of cervical cervical cancer. However, in Russia, a cytological study is recommended, therefore a combination of these two studies is observed;
- After the treatment of dysplasia/preservation/cervical cancer (the absence of HPV in the analysis after treatment almost always shows successful treatment). For studies, it is necessary to obtain a cervical canal smearing (it is also possible to study material from the vagina, but it is recommended that the material be recommended by the cervix).
Analysis should be made:
- Once a year (if HPV's "high risk" is found earlier and the analysis is transmitted together with a cytological examination);
- 1 time in 5 years if the previous analysis is negative.
It is almost never necessary to analyze the low oncogenic risk with HPV. If there are no papillomas, then this analysis makes no sense in principle (wearing the virus is possible, no treatment for the virus, so it is not known what to do with the result of the analysis).
If there are papillomas then:
- Most often they are caused by HPV;
- We need to remove them, whether we find 6/11 species or not;
- If you take the spread, then directly with the papillomas themselves, not the vagina/cervix.
There are tests to identify HPV different types. If you periodically take HPV tests, pay attention to what specific types are included in the analysis. Some laboratories do the study only for type 16 and 18, others for all types together. It is also possible to do an analysis that will identify all 14 types of "high risk" virus in quantitative format. Quantitative characteristics are important for predicting the likelihood of developing precancerous and cervical cancer. These tests should be used in the context of preventing cervical cancer, not as an independent test. The analysis of HPV without the results of cytology (RAR test) most often does not allow us to draw any conclusions about the patient's healthy status.
There is no such analysis to determine whether the virus will "leave" with a particular patient.
Treatment of human papillomavirus
There is no cure for HPV medicines. There are methods for the treatment of conditions caused by HPV (papillomas, dysplasia, prognosis, cervical cancer). This treatment should be performed using surgical methods (cryocoagulation, laser, radio knife).
No "deficiency" is related to HPV treatment and should not be administered. None of the widely known drugs passed adequate tests to show their effectiveness and safety. These medicines do not include protocols/standards/recommendations. The presence or absence of "erosion" of the cervix does not affect HPV treatment tactics.
If the patient has no complaints and also not papil/changes in the cervix during colposcopy and according to PAP - the test, no treatment procedures are required.
It is necessary to review the analysis only once a year and to monitor the condition of the cervix (annually PAP - test, colposcopy). In most patients, the virus will "leave" the body on its own. If it does not leave, it is completely optional that it will lead to the development of cervical cancer, but control is needed. The treatment of sexual partners is not required (except when both partners have genital papillomas).
Prevention of human papillomavirus
Vaccines have been developed that protects from 16 and 18 types of HPV (one of the vaccines also prevents 6 and 11 species). HPV 16 and 18 "responsible" for 70% of cases of cervical cancer and therefore the protection against them is so important. The planned vaccination is used in 45 countries. Condom (does not provide 100% protection).