HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the 21st century.It's easy to pick up and can't cure.Sounds scary?We answer the most popular questions about this infection in our material!
What kind of virus?New?
In fact, HPV is as old as a world.It is the reason for warts, papillomas, warts and other skin formations.
These viruses were combined in one group in 1971. The number of VPV species discovered is about 600. There may actually be much more.The critical difference between these strains is the only one: some of them are at low risk of ONCO, others are high onco.In modern medical practice, it is not customary to check for all 600 species, the main thing is to understand whether a person is a carrier of 16 strains, 14 of which cause precancerous conditions: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68.The virus for women is particularly dangerous as cervical cancer can cause.However, men are also at risk: genital cancer is more likely to develop than the destructive effect of HPV inside the cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sexual and home route.Nevertheless, sexual transmission is the most common.The likelihood of a woman getting infected during the first years of sexual activity, over 50 %.The right way is not to catch HPV - to refrain from accidental unprotected sexual intercourse and use a condom.However, even the condom does not give a hundred percent protection, as HPV is transmitted when the mucous membranes contact: through kisses, contact during preludes and oral sex.
The likelihood of infection is positively increased by the number of sexual partners: the more active sex life you water, the more chance of being infected with HPV.Household transmission is also possible: when you use a foreign towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, then you are likely to have it.In men infected by HPV, pointed warts and flat warts occur on both the penis and the groin.If you suddenly notice strange skin neoplasms, inform your boyfriend immediately and pass the appropriate tests.
How do I know I have HPV?
The easiest way is to transmit a gynecological smear to determine HPV and cytology.As we have already noted, they check the presence of only 16 strains of the virus.You can suspect the presence of 6th or 11th strain without analysis: if you or your partner have papillomas or pointed warts in the genital area, then you are most likely a papillomavirus carrier and the analyzes will confirm this.
As for high oncogenic risk viruses, they do not manifest themselves and visually their presence in the body is difficult to determine - analysis of cytology, colposcopy of the cervix and HPV tests are necessary.Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, strains with high oncogenic risk are particularly dangerous for women who do not pass the annual dad test (cytological analysis) in a gynecologist.The course of the disease passes asymptomatic and at this time HPV integrates into the cell and changes the structure, turning it into malignant.Malignant cells help to determine the cytological analysis that is done with a planned gynecologist once every six months or a year.By the way, they are better not to miss, especially those who have HPV.
If I found HPV then am I sick with cancer?
Do not drive horses.As we have already said, over 80 % of women, the planet managed to get HPV.Obviously, not everyone has developed cervical cancer.From the HPV infection to the development of the precancerous condition, it takes a long time.Visit annual planned gynecologist examinations, take the tests in a timely manner and then the doctor diagnoses the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in cells long before the development of cancer.
Even if you have discovered one or even a few of the 14 highly oncogenic types of the virus, cytological analysis does not necessarily have to show the presence of malignant cells.At a young age, with good immunity in the PAPA test, cells with signs of malignancy are rarely found, so exhale, calm down and read.
HPV treated?
"If HPV is so dangerous, then it must be cured urgently!""Maybe this thought was stressed through your head."Unfortunately, until medicine has found neither a way nor a medicine that will help you get rid of HPV once and for all.However, with immunomodulatory therapy and the right lifestyle, you can achieve prolonged remission and stop the destructive effect of the virus.
HPV treatment should be complicated.In the presence of pointed warts and genital warts, they will need to be removed by one of the methods: surgically, a radio knife, laser or cryodestruction.
Is it possible not to remove the warts?
No, it is impossible: the virus concentrates and lives in these neoplasms, which means that subsequent treatment becomes less effective.In addition, you can hardly leave them: it is possible during sex that there are unpleasant sensations, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will have a negative effect on your self, self -confidence and, accordingly, on relationships with a partner.
Can they go alone?
But this scenario is quite possible: strengthening immunity, healthy lifestyles, rejection of bad habits and daily use of local antivirus agents (ointments or sprays) - a complex of these measures can force the abyss of the wart.
However, there is good news: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it eliminates alone, losing an uneven battle with strong immunity.This happens within two years from the moment of infection and in a young, strong body, the process, of course, is going faster.
Is it possible to get infected again by a sexual partner?
How!And the warts you have removed earlier can also reappear.If your person is infected and he has external manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high probability of re -infection.All sexual infections, without exception, should be treated for both partners: use methods to protect the barrier, eliminate neoplasms caused by HPV, maintain strong immunity and perform appropriate therapy.
If you have found HPV, do not hide this fact from your partner.He may not need complex treatment, but the immune -modulating therapy will only be helpful.
With any suspicion of HPV, we advise not to panic and connect with specialists-tobstetrician-Gynecologists.