Currently papillomavirus is considered one of the most common infections. According to statistics, 90% of the world's population are its carriers, while many people are not even aware of its presence. There are hundreds of strains of the virus, but so far only a few dozen have been well studied. Of these, most do not pose a he alth hazard, they can disappear on their own without any treatment, but some species are oncogenic, their activity leads to malignant diseases. The majority of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have HPV types 16, 18.
Papillomavirus: general information
This infection has been known to medicine for a long time - it is she who causes warts on the skin and mucous membranes. A more detailed study of it began since the relationship between its carriage and cervical cancer in women was proven.
Penetrating into the human body, papilloma viruseither exists in a benign form, or its DNA is integrated into the carrier's genome, due to which tissue degeneration occurs. At the same time, HPV 16, 18 types are considered the most dangerous, since in 50% of cases it causes cancer.
Currently, there are no drugs that can completely get rid of the infection. For a long time, the virus can be in a dormant form, but under the influence of adverse factors, it enters an active phase, in which a person begins to feel alarming symptoms.
Routes of infection
Regarding how HPV types 16 and 18 are transmitted, doctors say that in most cases, infection occurs during sexual contact, in any form (genital, oral, anal). As a rule, the virus is transmitted from a man to a woman.
It is also possible to become infected by household means, but such cases are quite rare. Infection can occur when using the same personal hygiene items. In addition, the virus is transmitted from mother to child as it passes through the birth canal.
It is almost impossible to establish the exact cause and time of infection, as the incubation period can last for years. However, the risk group includes the following categories of people:
- immune-compromised;
- promiscuous;
- smokers;
- people who abuse alcohol;
- drug users;
- often under stress.
First factoris the main one, the rest are indirect, under the influence of which the transition to the active phase of the existing HPV types 16 and 18 in women most often occurs.
Symptoms
Manifestations of papillomavirus depend on its type. The main symptom is always rash. With oncogenic HPV types (16, 18), women and men develop bowenoid papulosis, which is represented by flat plaques that rise above the surface of the skin or mucous membrane. The rash may be pink, white, or yellow in color. Most often they are localized on the labia majora in women and the head of the penis in men.
In addition, the symptoms of human papillomavirus infection can be:
- itching, burning in the genital area;
- heavy discharge;
- discomfort, pain during intercourse and urination.
These signs are indirect, as they may indicate a large number of diseases.
Diagnosis
When alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a gynecologist. During the examination, he will conduct an initial diagnosis, including:
- Poll, clarification of patient complaints. The doctor needs to provide information on how long ago the symptoms appeared, what diseases the next of kin suffer from.
- Examination on the gynecological chair. The doctor evaluates the condition of the skin and mucous membranes in order to detect external manifestations of papillomavirus (warts, genital warts, etc.).d.). After that, he examines the cervix and vagina with the help of mirrors and takes biomaterial for research.
It is important to understand that testing for HPV 16 and 18 is a necessary diagnostic step that must be completed, despite the fact that in most medical institutions it is carried out on a paid basis. According to the results of the research, the doctor can judge the presence of other types of the virus, both oncogenic in nature and those that do not cause cancer, as well as the degree of infection burden on the body.
In addition, women are shown colposcopy. This is a research method that allows you to identify any changes in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which are almost impossible to detect during a standard examination on a gynecological chair.
When the diagnosis is confirmed, the sexual partner must be diagnosed by a urologist.
Medicated treatment
It is important to understand that it is currently impossible to get rid of papillomavirus. If infection has occurred, the infection can be in the body either in a dormant or active phase. Accordingly, the goal of therapy is to transform the virus into a form in which it does not have a negative effect.
HPV types 16 and 18 are also being treated to help prevent cancer.
Drug therapy is aimed at fighting the virus, as well as strengthening the body's defenses. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs to suppress HPV types 16 and 18 in women and men:
- "Isoprinosine";
- Panavir;
- "Transfer Factor";
- "Interferon";
- "Cordyceps";
- "Derinat";
- Polyoxidonium;
- Wobenzym;
- "Cycloferon";
- "Alpizarin";
- Indinol.
Reception of immunomodulating and antiviral agents reduces the degree of stress and helps to strengthen the body's defenses. It must be understood that any drugs, especially for HPV types 16 and 18, should be prescribed by a doctor. This is due to the fact that improperly selected medicines, on the contrary, have a depressing effect on the immune system, as a result of which the risk of developing cancer increases significantly. In addition, each of the above remedies has serious side effects and contraindications.
Surgical treatment
Removal of formations caused not only by HPV 16, type 18, but also by all others is a necessary measure. Getting rid of the breeding ground of the infection helps prevent even more spread of the virus to he althy tissues.
Currently, plaques, papillomas, warts, etc. benign neoplasms are removed using the following methods:
- Surgical excision. Under local anesthesia, the growths are removed with a scalpel, after which they are sent to the laboratory for histological examination. If degenerate cells are found in the biomaterial, a thorough diagnosis is shown to the patient. The possibility of repeated surgical excision of the entire focus is not ruled out.
- Laser removal. It is also performed under local anesthesia. Under the influence of a laser beam, the process of evaporation of liquid from the growths starts. They sharply decrease in size, and at the end of the operation they are dry crusts that fall off on their own within 1-2 weeks.
- Radio wave method. A painless method widely used in oncology. Based on point irradiation of pathologically altered cells, resulting in their death.
- Electrocoagulation. It implies the impact on the growths by current. The operation is painless and is also performed under local anesthesia.
- Cryodestruction. Removal of growths occurs with the help of liquid nitrogen.
- Application of chemically aggressive substances. The growths are treated with drugs several times, after which they decrease in size, dry and fall off.
Removal of formations caused by HPV type 16, 18, and all others does not guarantee that they will not appear again. When the virus becomes active, the growths may reappear.
If left untreated
Some people do not think about the consequences of infection with HPV types 16, 18, etc., which have a high degree of oncogenicity. But papillomas, warts and condylomas are not only a cosmetic defect. This is a focus of infection, which over time spreads to he althy tissues, increasing its area. In addition, the growths are easily injured, so that various pathogens can enter the body.
Judging by the medical reviews,HPV types 16 and 18 are not a death sentence, but if left untreated, the risk of developing cervical cancer in women and adenocarcinoma in men increases significantly.
Forecast
When a virus of high oncogenic risk is detected, it is necessary to remove the growths surgically and conduct drug therapy. The course must be repeated every time the infection enters the active phase.
If the process of diagnosis reveals the degeneration of he althy cells into cancer cells, additional treatment is prescribed. At an early stage, it is much easier to cope with the disease than at a later stage.
Thus, the prognosis is quite favorable if you regularly visit your doctor and follow all his recommendations.
How to prevent infection
The main preventive measure against oncogenic HPV infection is vaccination. It is most advisable to administer the injection before the onset of a period of sexual activity. This is due to the fact that the drug reliably protects against papillomavirus, but does not get rid of it if the infection has already occurred.
In addition, one of the most important preventive measures is: sexual intelligibility and the use of a barrier method of contraception.
In conclusion
The human papillomavirus is an infection that cannot be cured. All existing methods of treatment are aimed at eliminating symptoms and external manifestations, as well as strengthening the body's defenses and reducing the load on it. When infected, visit regularlyattending physician and undergo an examination. If all the recommendations of a specialist are followed, the risk of degeneration of he althy cells into a cancerous tumor is significantly reduced.
