Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Some types of neoplasms pose a serious danger to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple prevention rules.
Human papillomavirus is part of a group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 species.
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 infected", but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papilloma viruses live and actively multiply in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they are capable of spreading from one organism to another.
It has been shown that the virus can develop for a short time in the external environment, but usually its entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.
Most types of viruses are not dangerous to human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the appearance of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
safely(if we take into account the probability of developing cancer).
They occur without pronounced symptoms and are not dangerous for the human body;
Low risk- upon entering the body, genital warts appear in 90% of cases.In individual cases, a cellular mutation may be observed;high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and provoke the degeneration of cells into atypical ones.
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the bodies of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the prevalence of the virus, it is necessary to know how papilloma is transmitted.HPV can be transmitted by contact or vertical (from mother to fetus during pregnancy) method.
Contactincludes contact-domestic and sexual routes.Can you get a virus through a kiss?This is also possible if the infected person has warts caused by HPV in the oral cavity.
The fetus can become infected through a damaged placenta.Laboratory tests reveal the possibility of infection due to toxicosis.
The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through household contacts.In the latter case, simple communication with a human carrier does not always lead to infection.
One of the conditions in which the probability of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
The risk of infection is high when there are scratches, cuts, wounds and abrasions on the skin.Due to a decrease in general and local immunity, the body's protective reactions worsen.
Insufficient production of class A antibodies disrupts the normal functioning of the immune system and increases the body's sensitivity to viruses and infections.
Various sexually transmitted infectious diseases can act as a provoking factor for papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
The standard manifestation of the papilloma virus in such a situation is the appearance of condylomas on the genitals.There is a deterioration of immunity indicators against the background of disorders in the microflora of the vagina and intestines.The immune system of people with HIV is severely affected.
The papillomavirus is activated under the following conditions:
- the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute stage of any chronic diseases;
- Poor working conditions;
- hypothermia;
- Congenital immunodeficiency condition;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- Stress conditions;
- Bad nutrition.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, it may take several years for symptoms to appear, which become more pronounced during a period of weakened immunity.
Ways of transmission of papillomas
The papillomavirus is transmitted through household contact:
- By shaking hands;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When trying on someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
- When visiting public baths, saunas.
The sexual route of infection is particularly dangerous, since the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual relations, since during such sexual contact there is a high probability of injury to the skin and mucous membranes.
Also, the probability of transmitting the virus to each other during intercourse increases if the partner has genital warts - they are easy to injure and are very contagious.
The human papilloma virus in women who are expecting a child can be transmitted to the fetus.During pregnancy this happens in rare cases;usually the child becomes infected when passing through the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is transmitted by inheritance from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease on the genitals.
Infection of children at birth is accompanied by laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by serious impairment of respiratory function.
There is also a possibility of infection during breastfeeding.
The papillomavirus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, which leads to the appearance of tumors (warts).At an early age, warts most often appear on the fingers, elbows and knees.
These are non-cancerous growths, firm to the touch, whose color can vary from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
At an older age, HPV manifests itself through the formation of papillomas.They are soft and attached to the skin by a stalk.As a rule, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes they can be dark brown.
Papillomas are most often found in the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, neoplasms can appear in any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the condition of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia.Sometimes they can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina and anus.
Looking at photos of people with HPV, you can see how many neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger lies in their possible degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are found, they conduct research to determine their oncogenicity and remove them.Photo: growths on the mucous membrane of the tongue
Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?
Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.However, you should not panic if you are diagnosed with this condition.
First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of those infected are diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by a low carcinogenic risk.
The most dangerous strains are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of papilloma virus in women
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus often develops against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals.
These can be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudoerosion of the cervix.It is often combined with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes.The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
- itching and burning in the genitals;
- specific secretions;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant sensations during intercourse;
- proliferation and fusion of condylomas on the genitals.
Genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum, and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unattractive, but also cause discomfort: pain, itching and may bleed.
The detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a cancer process.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by taking tests and conducting laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR;colposcopy;biopsy.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 DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, specialists can identify the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You have to prepare for the tests.
The patient should not have sexual activity, drink alcohol or take antiviral drugs for several days.
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with a solution of acetic acid, which reveals the papillomas and they become clearly visible.
During a biopsy, an area of the affected tissue is taken for examination.This material is subsequently stained and examined.Biopsy is an extremely accurate research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with drugs.Therefore, the only treatment option today is the removal of papillomas.
Medicines are prescribed only as maintenance therapy.
Direct removal can be done by several methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high-frequency current.After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off on its own after a few days.
The method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but has a number of disadvantages.
First, the removed papilloma cannot be examined.Second, scars may form at the site of removal.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
It is a safe, painless method that leaves no traces on the body.
The cryodestruction method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.Areas of tissue to be removed are quickly frozen.
In this case, slight discomfort may occur.The entire area of dead skin is removed 2-6 weeks after treatment.
Prevention
Aware of the spread of the virus, I want to know not only if papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with common highly oncogenic types of HPV.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.As a rule, it is recommended to be done between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can inactivate it and increase immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is broken, they must be treated;
- You may not use other people's personal care products;
- in public saunas, the use of rubber slippers is recommended;
- the disease should not be allowed to pass into a chronic stage;
- relationship with a regular sexual partner;condom use;
- hardening and moderate physical activity;
- proper and regular nutrition.
Observance of these simple rules will help significantly reduce the risk of infection with the papilloma virus and protect your body from its penetration.