The most common infection that affects nearly 90% of people on earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. After discovering a papilloma, no one sounds the alarm, because among people it is considered a common wart. Get rid of them only if it bothers or brings about cosmetic blemishes. The disease is "human" and is only transmitted from the patient to the healthy: in everyday life, through touch, through the reproductive system, during childbirth from mother to baby. The disease can manifest on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of warts, papillomas or condylomas. Let's think about what is HPV and how dangerous it is for humans?
What is HPV?
The virus lives in almost everyone. HPV germs are so small that they can enter the bloodstream through abrasions, scratches, and small wounds on the skin. It may not show itself in any way throughout the life of the bearer, or it may always show itself in all its glory. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to several years. The signal to act is a weakness of the immune system. If papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes, then the body needs immediate treatment.
There are more than 70 types of human papillomavirus, but several new types are registered each year. Conventionally, all types of HPV infections can be divided into two groups.
Warts are a virus that causes the development of warts in the body.
- HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4 cause the formation of plantar or corneal warts;
- HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49 are responsible for the appearance of flat warts;
- HPV type 27 forms "flesh warts";
- HPV: 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19-24, 26, 27, 29, 57 - also develops warts.
Papilloma - a virus that causes the formation of papillomas and warts.
- HPV 6. 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 31, 33, 58, 52, 39, 70, 30, 40, 42, 43, 51, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 64, 64
What are the dangers of HPV?
Why in recent years have doctors sounded the alarm and tried to educate the public about HPV disease? Because the percentage of cancer patients who have been diagnosed with the virus is seriously increasing. Not only women with uterine cancer suffer, but also men with male genital oncology. The number of skin cancers among the elderly is also increasing.
Of course, there are types of HPV that do not affect a person's internal health, but their manifestation in the form of papillomas and warts that grow uncomfortable. They are classified as low oncogenicity - the minimum risk of getting cancer. Such formations are easily removed by folk methods or aesthetic medicine. But the virus itself is not treated by any means and drugs. If a person is infected, then he or she is a lifelong carrier of the virus.
Other subspecies of papillomavirus infections belong to the group with high oncogenicity, that is, they can affect the formation of malignant neoplasms in the body.
There are 3 types of oncogenicity:
- HPV at low cancer risk: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- HPV moderate oncological risk: 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66;
- High -risk HPV: 16, 18, 36, 39, 45, 56, 59, 66, 68.
Diseases and types of HPV
Below we provide a list of types of papilloma viruses.
Skin lesions:
- Warts on the soles of the feet (corn) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Warts average 3, 10, 28, 49
- Butcher Warts 7
- Veruciform epidermodysplasia 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20-25, 36, 37, 46, 47, 50
Lesions on the mucous membranes of the genitals:
- Genital warts 6, 11, 42-44, 54
- Epithelial lesions without invasion into other layers (intraepithelial lesions) may be precancerous 62, 64, 67-70
- Cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and penis 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 54, 56, 66, 68
Non -genital mucous membrane lesions:
- Oral mucosal lesions (focal epithelial hyperplasia) 13, 32
- Recurrent airway papillomatosis 6, 11, 30
- Malignant tumors of the head, neck, lungs 2, 6, 11, 16, 18, 30
Types of viral skin lesions
Most types of human papillomavirus infections are asymptomatic. The external manifestations of the disease are different, the following are some types:
common warts
The most common form of HPV is warts. Almost everyone can find on his body similar papules with a diameter of not more than 5-7 mm. Usually warts are located on the outside of the palms, between the fingers, on the soles of the feet, on the chin, eyelids and scalp. Warts can grow in size and even form colonies from maternal papules. Then they can cause discomfort: itching and tingling at the site of growth.
The most "sick" are plantar warts, their common name is "thorns". When walking, they put pressure on the nerve endings, which causes severe pain. Such tumors are recommended to be removed surgically at the clinic. Simple warts are not a threat to human health, they almost never develop into oncological tumors.
Butcher's warts
Butcher warts look like several thick threads coming out of one growth. Often found on the fingers, especially at the site of the wound. Long filiform papules bring inconvenience to their owners, as these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They may bleed when beaten or scraped. Even in an oncological sense, the wart is safe, but its damage will lead to problems. The doctor's recommendation is to remove it without fail.
flat warts
Flat warts are also called "teen warts" because they often appear during adolescence. They look like large dry clustered rashes on the skin. Cover forehead, cheeks, chin, forearms. The color may not differ from the skin or be slightly darker.
Butcher's warts
Flesh warts are scarred wart growths with normal skin color. They can be single and as a group of several pieces. The name of this wart tumor is given by the professional activities of butchers. We can say that this type of infection is an occupational disease of the meat industry.
Verruciform epidermodysplasia
The disease can be confused with pityriasis versicolor, so you should consult a specialist. It is transmitted hereditarily, but is very rare in the form of dermatosis. Externally, it looks like an accumulation of flat scaly rashes and age spots. The main localization sites are the face, neck and hands. Unfortunately, this form of wart disease can develop into cancer.
Periungual warts
Warts located near the nail destroy the nail plate. They grow deep into the skin and change the shape of the fingers. They do not develop into malignant formations, but this does not make them less undesirable. Surgery is necessary for aesthetic reasons and for finger health.
Bowen's disease
This form of HPV tends to degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma. When the skin is damaged, a 5 mm redness is formed, which grows and becomes covered with crusts. The upper layer of the epidermis is affected, its growth can reach a diameter of 5 cm. It is more common in the elderly, as the immune defense is reduced.
Genital warts
This type of HPV is sexually transmitted, and therefore affects the male and female genitals, as well as the mucous membranes of the urinary and anal systems. The appearance of the formation resembles cauliflower or cockfighting. Genital warts can also appear in the corners of the mouth as a result of oral sex. Tumors must be removed, because during friction it is possible to injure them and cause infection.
Papillomas in the oropharynx
HPV infection in the mouth is also similar to cauliflower. White plaque can descend into the lungs and trachea, making it difficult for a person to breathe. You can damage the papilloma while eating, which in turn can lead to cancer. Since malignant tumors are indistinguishable from benign ones, it is necessary to take tests before removing plaque.
Blooming papillomatosis can be not only in the elderly. The disease occurs in children and adults. The main symptoms of laryngeal papillomatosis are dysphonia (speech disorders) and aphonia (inability to speak), hoarseness and difficulty breathing.
Methods of Treatment
Methods to get rid of papillomavirus infections do not exist today. Therefore, treatment is reduced to the removal of external formations and suppression of the virus in the patient's body. There are cases when some types of virus die on their own in the body for several years. Which method and preparation to use for treatment is determined by the doctor only on the basis of diagnosis, tests and external examination of the patient.
Destructive methods:
- surgical isolation (cutting) of warts / papillomas (used only if malignant lesions are suspected);
- electrocoagulation - cauterization of the formation with a coagulator through which an electric current passes;
- cryodestruction - destruction of warts with liquid nitrogen;
- laser treatment - the effect on the formation of the laser beam;
- radio wave method - exposure to warts / papillomas using Surgitron tools.
Chemical treatment:
- cauterization with salicylic acid;
- educational processing of trichloroacetic acid concentration of 50-90%;
- acid mixture - treatment with educational preparation (very low efficiency).
To activate the immune system and block HPV, drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects must be included in therapy.
Disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid getting the HPV virus, as it can be transmitted in bath houses, swimming pools, when using ordinary household items, in hospitals. But this strain is mild and does not cause cancer. Prevention usually comes down to personal hygiene, quick treatment of wounds and injuries with antibacterial agents, and the use of protective equipment while working.
Special attention should be paid to the prevention of sexually transmitted viruses. Protecting your body with a condom is unlikely to succeed. Viral infections in couples can be located near the genitals and in the mouth. The best way to prevent infection is pre-vaccination. Vaccination should be given to girls and boys before the onset of sexual activity at the age of 11-13 years. Immunity lasts from 3-5 to 10 years and it depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Then the vaccination can be repeated if there is a risk of infection (exchange of sexual partners).
High oncogenic risk HPV can indeed cause changes in tissues and lead to oncological processes. But several years passed between the first signs and the development of cancer. Therefore, it is very important to conduct an annual medical examination with a doctor, especially for women. Frequent gynecological examination reveals changes in both the external genital organs and the cervix. Take care of your health!