Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Some forms of it can cause cancer, such as cervical cancer. That is why the diagnosis of HPV is extremely important, because timely treatment can prevent many unpleasant consequences. You can read more about how to diagnose and treat HPV in this article.
What is HPV
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common diseases on the planet. According to statistics, in America alone there are about 80 million infected. Not all types of HPV can be considered dangerous to he alth, some types of the virus do not have any effect on the body. But others can cause cancer, the appearance of warts and a number of other unpleasant symptoms. HPV in women - what is it? This is a virus that is able to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and mucous membranes, causing the uncontrolled appearance of cells. Sometimes this process can cause the formationmalignant tumors. Studies have shown that 70% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer had HPV in their blood. Types 16 and 18 of the virus are considered especially dangerous.
How does it spread?
The main way HPV is transmitted is through sexual contact. During any kind of sex, even oral, a person is in danger. The virus may not detect itself immediately, but after a few years, when your body is more weakened. Prior to this, for a sufficiently long time, the person has no symptoms at all.
In most cases, the virus does not have a negative effect on the body due to the fact that the human immune system suppresses its activity. But in some people, especially those who are weakened and have had a serious illness, the body ceases to heal itself, and the virus begins to multiply uncontrollably. Here are some additional factors that can contribute to infection:
- Immunodeficiency (primary or secondary).
- Other viral infections;.
- A large number of sexual partners.
- Diabetes and other chronic diseases.
- Long-term COC use.
- Unprotected sex.
The impact of HPV on the body
Doctors say that in most cases the papilloma virus is cured by the body itself. But sometimes this does not happen, as a result of which the carrier gets he alth problems. The most common symptom associated with HPV is genital warts. It is on these grounds that the doctor cansuspect the disease and send your patient for diagnosis. No need to think that as soon as a person becomes infected with a virus, he immediately develops cancer. No, this process can take years and even decades. So far, there is no way to know what effects HPV can cause in a given person. One case will be limited to some warts, while the other may acquire a more serious disease.
HPV diagnostics
It is precisely because of the unpredictable consequences of the papilloma virus that doctors strongly recommend that everyone be examined without exception. After all, with timely treatment, many problems can be avoided. What methods of HPV diagnostics can be distinguished?
- Inspection. This method allows you to determine the general he alth of the patient, as well as to see the external manifestations of the virus, such as warts.
- Colposcopy is a diagnostic method in which a special device examines the surface of the cervix for damage or neoplasms. For a clearer picture, the doctor may use a weak vinegar solution. When applied to the mucosa, the areas of the mucosa affected by the virus begin to foam.
- A biopsy is a study of tissues on which the virus most often appears. In women, this is the cervix, and in men, the glans penis. A biopsy allows you to examine the cells of an organ at a microscopic level, revealing all abnormalities.
- Histology is done primarily as a confirmatory test before a patient is diagnosed with cervical cancer. The reliability of this diagnostic method reaches almost 99%.
- What HPV tests should be taken for those who want to make sure that the virus is not present? The PCR method (polymerase chain reaction) currently provides one of the most accurate results. The only condition for obtaining a reliable diagnosis is to choose a good laboratory, but it is better to take an analysis in several different organizations.
- The Digene test has only recently entered the market, but has already become very popular among doctors and their patients. The main secret of this diagnostic method is that it has an extremely high sensitivity. So, it is able to "catch" even the slightest presence of HPV in the body. The main disadvantage of the test is its cost (about 6 thousand rubles).
Where to get tested for HPV? In all private laboratories, you can find different types of diagnostics (PCR, histology, etc.). It is a bit more difficult to pass the analysis for free. To do this, you need to contact a gynecologist at the place of residence and get a referral for analysis. Diagnosis of HPV in men is carried out mainly using the PCR method, Digen test and biopsy. The sampling material is taken from the urethra.
Associated symptoms
Most people infected with the human papillomavirus are unaware of their disease. Therefore, it can be determined only with the help of high-precision diagnostic methods. However, there are some accompanying symptoms that can directly indicate the presence of HPV.
- The formation of warts or other growths on the face, genitals or mouth of a person.
- Frequent and unexplained illnesses.
- Appearance of genital warts.
The incubation period for HPV is about a year. Therefore, it is impossible to draw a clear line between a sick and a he althy person without special tests.
PCR
What is the PCR method? This is a polymerase chain reaction, with the help of which it is possible to achieve a multiple increase in some nucleic acid fragments. HPV is a virus with two strands of DNA and over 8,000 nucleotides. If it is in the human body, it leaves a noticeable trace, which can be seen using PCR. However, not all types of the virus can cause malignant tumors. Only a few of them are recognized as the most oncogenic and dangerous: 6, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68. For women, types 16 and 18 are of particular importance, since they cause cervical cancer. HPV diagnostics by PCR is currently the most popular non-invasive procedure, which with a high degree of probability allows you to determine whether there is a virus in the human body. PCR avoids unpleasant and painful diagnostic methods such as colposcopy or biopsy.
PCR diagnostics for HPV of high oncogenic risk, doctors recommend that all women over 30 years of age undergo regular PCR diagnostics. Before colposcopy, everyone is advised to do this analysis first, and only then, if the virus has been detected, to perform a detailed examination of the tissues. No special preparation before PCR is required, which can also be attributed to the advantages of this method. Just enoughrefrain from water procedures a few hours before the analysis.
Colposcopy
Another method for diagnosing HPV is colposcopy. This procedure is performed by specially trained specialist doctors using a low-powered microscope - a colposcope. It includes an examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva with the simultaneous application of acetic acid. A solution of vinegar allows you to more clearly identify changes in tissues that look he althy without the use of acid. The doctor examines all the irregularities, neoplasms and, if necessary, takes a biopsy of damaged tissues. Colposcopy is not so common, mainly in the following situations:
- immunosuppressive conditions;
- HIV patient;
- Women who have had different test results three times in a row or have an unclear clinical picture;
- positive cervical cytology for malignant neoplasms.
Colposcopy is an invasive procedure, so before going to the doctor you need to refrain from using vaginal suppositories, intimacy, using tampons for several days.
Biopsy
Diagnosing HPV using colposcopy involves taking a biomaterial if the doctor suspects an infection in the patient's body. In fact, a biopsy is part of a colposcopy. A biopsy can be taken not only from the genitals, but also from warts or genital warts. All manipulations imply that the studydone with a microscope. The sampling itself is carried out in several ways: with a needle or a scalpel. A biopsy suggests the absence of any infectious diseases, as otherwise the risk of inflammation increases. Doctors consider a biopsy not the safest diagnostic method, so they try to do it only in extreme cases.
Histology
Another method of laboratory diagnosis of HPV is the histology of papillomas. HPV, having entered the body once, remains in it for many years. It may not have any effect on a person, but it can cause various neoplasms on the skin. It is through the study of warts and other growths that a diagnostician can determine whether there is a danger to your he alth.
Digene-test
HPV smear versus Digene test shows low predictive reliability. The test developed by Digene is now considered the true gold standard. This HPV diagnostic method allows not only to determine the presence of the virus in the blood with 98% accuracy, but also to determine its oncogenicity. As a result, the patient not only receives "positive" or "negative" in the results of the analysis, but can also find out what type of HPV he is a carrier of - with a high or low oncor risk.
Digene-test has hypersensitivity, so it is prescribed in the most complicated cases, when a clear diagnosis cannot be made using classical methods. In addition, this HPV diagnostic method is used inin cases where you need to find out the propensity to develop cervical cancer. What other indications are there for this test?
- In a comprehensive examination of a patient to detect cancerous or precancerous conditions.
- To monitor the results of therapy.
- As a preventive diagnosis for women over 30.
Transcript of results
The test results can only be interpreted by your doctor. It is to him that you need to turn for help if you want to know the exact result. This happens because tests alone are not enough to make a diagnosis. Usually a specialist pays attention to complaints, he alth, clinical picture and other factors. Nevertheless, in many private laboratories, a reference value is indicated next to the results of the analyzes, which allows you to determine how much they deviate from generally accepted norms. Ideally, no HPV titers should be detected in a person's blood or tissues. If they are still there, but in small quantities, then it is worth more precisely determining which type of virus you are a carrier of. If this is the type with the highest cancer risk, then the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment for you. But taking decisions and medicines without the advice of a specialist is highly discouraged.
Treatment and prevention
If a person's immunity is working normally, no additional therapy is required. If the patient is concerned about warts, or a smear for HPV revealed an oncogenic type of infection, then in most casesdoctors prescribe the following treatment:
- Removal of neoplasms;
- Course of antiviral drugs;
- Immunity Boost.
Ideally, you need to follow preventive measures that will allow you to stay out of the risk zone.
- Vaccination against HPV significantly increases the body's resistance. The most "safe" way to get vaccinated is 11-12 years old.
- Use barrier contraception (condoms) every time you have sex. This rule must be observed even if you have one permanent partner.
Results
HPV in women - what is it? The papilloma virus can manifest itself in different ways, but only some of its types can cause serious harm to the body. In order to determine the presence of the virus in the blood of women and men, different diagnostic methods are used: biopsy, histology, PCR and Digene test. Each of them has its pros and cons, so only a doctor can prescribe tests.
