The fact that there is such a dangerous human papillomavirus, perhaps everyone has heard. But here's what it is, what problems it causes with he alth, few know. Meanwhile, this is one of the most insidious neighbors of man on the planet. After all, there are oncogenic types of HPV that cause cancer.
Viruses are neighbors on the planet
Viruses have been known to people for almost 150 years. It was at the end of the 19th century that the Russian scientist, the founder of the science of virology, discovered the smallest non-bacterial pathogens of tobacco, the tobacco mosaic virus. But, undoubtedly, these smallest agents live for billions of years. The history of their appearance is not yet known to man, but the fact that viruses are infectious agents is very well known.
Over the decades since the first description of the tobacco mosaic virus, science has discovered and identified almost 7,000 species of these creatures. But scientists have allegedly put forward a version that there are more than a hundred million such "organisms on the edge of life".
Human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenic type - only a small part of these small pests. But it is they who are able to cause oneCancer is one of the most devastating diseases for humans. Moreover, humanity has not yet fully recognized even those representatives of this microscopic world that it has already met, but there are very, very many unknown viruses that, moreover, can mutate. Perhaps oncogenic HPV types are not the only infectious agents that cause terrible diseases.
Papillomavirus - what is it?
Human papillomaviruses are common agents of the microscopic world of pests. Their scientists have already discovered more than 600 strains. The external manifestation of infection with such a virus is various types of papillomas that appear on the skin and mucous membranes. According to available scientific statistics, by the age of 50, almost 90% of the population of the entire planet is infected with one or another type of these infectious agents.
Until recently, it was believed that such an infection does not bring any special problems, except for unsightly skin formations. The same warts are also an external manifestation of papillomavirus activity. But scientists are meticulous people. And in 2008, Harold zur Hausen, a scientist from Germany, made a report that two types of these agents - HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 - cause, under certain conditions, oncological diseases.
Main types of HPV
The big world of viruses is being studied by scientists all the time. Only a part of them revealed their secrets and identified by science. Among them is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Which types are oncogenic among the 600 strains already knownhumanity? Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand "family ties" in the microscopic world. In a separate group, human papillomaviruses (Human papilloma virus) were identified as early as 1971 at a meeting of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). To date, all human papillomaviruses are divided by science into 5 genera, which include 27 types of infectious agents. In addition to this division, oncogenic HPVs are separately identified. THEM were designated by numbers and divided into three groups:
- non-oncogenic group, the likelihood of carcinogenesis in these viruses is practically absent;
- group with a low degree of possibility of oncological cell transformation;
- group with a high degree of oncogenic activity.
Human papillomavirus, which plays the role of a common cause of cervical cancer in gynecology, is marked with numbers 16 and 18 and is included in the third group.
Cancer in the future?
For most people who have heard at least something about papillomaviruses and oncology, HPV and cancer are almost synonymous. But in fact, this is absolutely not the case. Yes, science has isolated viruses called HPV of oncogenic risk. But not always infection with such an agent will necessarily develop into a cancerous disease. Yes, such a he alth problem is best diagnosed in time. It is not difficult to do this by undergoing a regular dispensary examination by a gynecologist or andrologist.
HPV oncogenic types are a common cause of pathogenic he alth problems, but notInfection with even an oncogenic agent always develops into cancer. There are several reasons for this transformation, and most often they work in combination, causing HPV-affected cells to mutate.
Human papillomavirus can cause:
- genital warts and warts, flat warts and plantar warts;
- adenocarcinoma of the cervix;
- cervical cancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia);
- cervical dysplasia (erosion);
- cervical leukoplakia;
- Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.
- vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia.
What provokes carcinogenesis?
Human papillomavirus of high oncogenic risk is one of the common causes of cancer. But infection does not always lead to a sad outcome. It happens that a person lives all his life with such a pathogenic neighbor and does not suspect it. In order for tissues to begin to grow, leading to the appearance of a tumor, a whole system of pathological components is needed. They include:
- dysbacteriosis;
- frequent infectious diseases;
- intestinal infections;
- exposure often associated with special working conditions;
- regular hypothermia over a long period;
- chronic diseases;
- HIV infection;
- constant stress and psycho-emotional stress;
- poor nutrition, depleted in essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements;
- abortions.
A person should know thatMost papillomaviruses do not cause oncological mutations in infected tissues. According to scientific studies, only 3% of those who have HPV infection subsequently become hostages of cancer.
Cases were recorded when elimination (self-destruction) of the virus occurred. Such self-healing was recorded only in women under 30 years of age. But waiting for self-healing when infected with the human papillomavirus is not worth it. This pathogenic agent poses a particular he alth hazard in older women who have entered menopause. A decrease in the hormonal background also affects the decrease in the body's defenses, which leads to the activation of HPV and the development of cancer. Therefore, regular examination by a gynecologist is indicated for women of any age, regardless of their sexual activity.
What to do?
Unsightly external manifestations of human papillomavirus activity are easily removed with the help of modern aesthetic medicine. But if oncogenic HPV is detected in the body, you should devote as much time as possible to your he alth, because even the flu can become an impetus for an increase in the activity of a pathogenic agent. Modern science does not yet know an absolute way to get rid of such a serious problem as viruses, including HPV viruses. But inhibiting agent mutations and maintaining he alth can save a person from potential cancer.
If the examination revealed papillomavirus infection, it is necessary to regularly undergoadditional examinations for early detection of oncological mutations. This is especially true for the presence of HPV oncogenic type. Treatment in this case is carried out with antiviral drugs and destruction of external manifestations. Modern clinical medicine uses several of these methods for removing neoplasms:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser therapy with carbon dioxide and infrared lasers;
- radio wave hardware surgery;
- chemo- and drug destruction.
Each of these methods has its drawbacks. The biggest problem with any method is relapse. None of the methods gives an absolute 100% method of getting rid of neoplasms. The surgical method does not allow a person to get rid of the papillomavirus, it only removes its external manifestations, while the pathogenic agent itself remains to exist in the tissues.
A combination of medical antiviral drugs and surgical removal of the manifestation of virus activity is necessary. Immunomodulators and immunostimulants are also used, which activate their own immunity and contribute to the work of antiviral drugs.
Required tests
When a he alth problem is identified during the next examination, the question arises sharply - if there is HPV, which doctor should I contact? Usually, treatment is prescribed by a specialist who deals with the problems of the area of \u200b\u200bthe body where papillomas are detected - external signs of a viral infection. These are narrow-profile doctors:
- andrologist;
- dermatologist or dermatovenereologist;
- gynecologist;
- immunologist;
- oncologist;
- ophthalmologist;
- dentist;
- urologist;
- surgeon.
But, in addition to an external examination, it is necessary to undergo a clinical examination, which will include two main methods for detecting and identifying the virus:
- PCR analysis;
- HPV DNA analysis (Digene-test).
Analysis for the DNA of the virus is by far the most accurate, allowing to identify its type, concentration in tissues. Which HPV oncogenic risk test should be done will be decided by the doctor and the capabilities of the medical institution.
HPV 16
Oncogenic HPV types are a common cause of human he alth problems. A special role is played by viruses included in the third group with a high probability of degeneration of he althy cells into cancerous ones. Studies that have been and are regularly being conducted have absolutely accurately pointed to one of the causes of cervical cancer in women - oncogenic human papillomavirus 16 and 18, with HPV 16 being the most aggressive.
When this type enters the human body, it can make itself felt for a long time, but then begin aggressive vital activity, forcing he althy cells to divide uncontrollably, transforming them into cancerous, forming neoplasms.
Woman and virus
Infection with the human papillomavirus occurs in several ways -through the blood with microdamages of the skin and mucous membranes, by airborne droplets, during childbirth - from mother to child. Experts also talk about re-infection, for example, while shaving.
Infection of he althy cells of the epidermis with a virus causes them to actively divide, which contributes to the appearance of neoplasms - papillomas. As a result of failures in such cells, they can degenerate into oncological ones and cancer develops. HPV type 16 is aggressive, often it is this type of virus that causes cervical cancer. According to studies, in 70% of cases it was this strain that caused the development of an oncological disease in the female genital area.
In principle, any type of HPV in women can be caused by oncologists, the female genital area can be affected by 30 types of a viral agent of the third oncogenic type. For every woman, it is important to regularly visit a gynecologist who will conduct examinations according to a plan that allows you to identify the presence of deviations in the state of he alth. If necessary, an additional examination will be scheduled to identify the presence of the virus, its type and quantitative presence in the tissues.
All this will allow a woman to receive quality treatment. She herself must carefully monitor her he alth, any abnormal sensations and deviations should alert and lead to a doctor. These are manifestations such as:
- bleeding after intercourse;
- pain during intercourse;
- burning during urination;
- itching and burning of the vulva and vagina;
- allocations.
The same pathological observations can be made during any other violations of women's he alth. Therefore, a doctor's consultation is an obligatory step towards preserving not only he alth, but also life.
Prophylaxis possible?
The development of a disease caused by oncogenic HPV types can and should be prevented. From youth, everyone should be aware that such infectious agents as the human papillomavirus are sexually transmitted, from person to person through the slightest damage to the skin or mucous membranes. During sex, microtrauma is almost impossible to avoid. So condom protection and sex with one partner is the best way to protect yourself from contracting any STDs.
Another factor that can prevent the development of cancerous tumors is a he althy lifestyle. Yes, exactly what parents and teachers teach everyone from early childhood can activate the immune system: the correct daily routine, good nutrition, giving up bad habits, maintaining hygiene in all spheres of life.
For several years now, all girls aged 15 to 26 have been offered vaccination against human papillomavirus. It allows the body to develop protective elements that do not allow it to be activated. This vaccine is effective only when the tests carried out showed absolutely no HPV in the body. Therefore, some experts recommend giving such a vaccine to girls aged 12-13 years, sincemost of them have not yet lived a sexual life, which means that the possibility of HPV carriage is minimal.
Today, two types of HPV vaccines are used in our country: Gardasil and Cervarix. Moreover, the first is also suitable for men to protect against infection with this infectious agent. The peculiarity of the vaccine also lies in the way it is delivered - only in the shoulder or in the thigh, since the suspension with the antigen must get into the deep layers of muscle tissue. Buttocks are not suitable for these purposes, since there is a high risk of getting not into the muscle, but into the fat layer.
Like any other vaccine, the human papillomavirus vaccine can cause a slight deterioration in well-being - pain at the injection site, fever, general weakness. These manifestations do not require medical intervention and disappear after a while.
What are virologists saying?
Human papillomavirus has recently become the most discussed among ordinary people after the flu. Many have heard of it, they know that it can cause cancer. But what do experts - virologists - say about oncogenic HPV? In 1927, the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) was founded. It is under his auspices that the world of viruses, including HPV, is being studied.
Scientists have found that the likelihood of them becoming infected through unprotected sexual contact is about 70%, and among the sexually active population of the planet, almosthalf are carriers of this infectious agent. How actively HPV spreads among the population of individual states is influenced by socio-economic, behavioral, medical and hygienic conditions. Most often, women under 30 suffer from papillomavirus infection, and in most cases it is HPV type 16. The scientific community is actively working on the problem of human papillomavirus. Research has shown that:
- Human papillomavirus is the leading cause of cervical cancer, estimated to affect more than 500,000 women a year;
- when infected, about 80% of women are cured of HPV without any medical procedures within 9-15 months, this is the so-called transient infection;
- HPV leads to the development of precancer in only half of the percent of infected women;
- in the absolute majority of cases, it takes about 20 years between HPV infection and the development of precancer and cervical cancer;
- when oncogenic types of HPV are infected, the risk of developing cancer of the female genital area is 300 times higher;
- HPV infection in most cases does not manifest itself for a long time.
Papillomavirus is an insidious disease that can lead to terrible consequences, but it must and can be fought. To do this, you must undergo regular medical examinations, lead a he althy lifestyle, and, if necessary, follow all the recommendations of doctors.
