What is the human papilloma virus and how to treat it

HPV vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects epithelial cells and has a particle diameter of 55 nm. The feature is the spread of skin epithelium as well as mucous membranes. In the initial stage, the pathogen usually affects the basal cells of the epithelium by entering them through microtrauma. Localized papillomas usually occur on the skin of the neck, armpits, groin, and genitals (most commonly), oral mucosa, and nasopharynx.

This virus can be asymptomatic for many years. Electron microscopic or molecular hybridization methods are used to detect HPV.

Types of human papillomavirus

In humans, a distinction is made between HPV, which affects the mucous membranes and skin. Among the large number of papillomaviruses are species with low and high oncogenic risk. Oncogenic properties have been shown to be related to the ability to integrate DNA into the genome of human cells.

The virus is activated in 10-20% of cases. Depending on the type, it can cause benign or malignant damage. Some HPVs are not oncogenic. They lead to warts and genital warts. The most common are HPV 6 and 11.

HPV oncogenes are those at high risk of developing cancerous lesions, especially on the cervix or anus. In terms of skin, HPV 16 and 18 and HPV 5 and 8 are more common, which can cause skin cancer. The most common form of cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer. But men can also become infected with the papilloma virus, which in the worst case causes cancer of the penis or anus.

Women are often exposed to HPV 16, a form in which introsomal parasitism is observed, that is, outside the cellular chromosome (benign). HPV 18 is characterized by a high risk of developing oncology - first, benign tumors develop, which eventually degenerate into cancer. The virions in this case are negligible (up to 30 nm).

Different types of HPV infections are caused by:

  • cervical neoplasms;
  • invasive or pre-invasive oncology;
  • genital warts of the urinary tract and genital organs.

Ingestion of the pathogen in the body does not always lead to the disease. It all depends on predisposing factors: increased sexual activity, vitamin deficiency, pregnancy, hypothermia, endometriosis, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. It should be noted that a viral infection can occur even in a body with a good immune system.

Signs of infection

how can you get HPV

The human papilloma virus is highly contagious. It is usually transmitted by direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of the infected person. In the case of genital infections, it most often occurs during vaginal or oral sex. A large number of sexual partners or other STIs (sexually transmitted infections) increase the risk. Indirect transmission through objects, contaminated clothing or bed linen is also possible, but this is rare.

In 7% of cases, mother-to-child transmission of the virus can occur during childbirth when the infection is active. The risk increases to 40% if you are infected with HPV 16 or 18.

human papillomavirus in the body

Papilloma virus infection, by penetrating the epithelium in violation of its integrity, promotes the growth of the lower layer of epithelial cells in the form of warts or warts. This form of the disease is contagious and spreads quickly to others. Warts and warts usually do not cause metastasis and often disappear spontaneously.

HPV symptoms

The incubation period lasts up to 9 months (average 3 months). HPV can be present in the body without obvious symptoms. The virus can go undetected for months or years. Even at this stage it is contagious.

Skin warts usually form in clusters and increase with scratches. The two most common forms of papilloma are either gray, hard, raised with a broken surface (common wart), or flat and red (flat warts). Severe warts are found on the feet or heels, grow inwards and are therefore often painful.

Genital warts occur on wet and warm parts of the body, so they are localized in the folds and on the mucous membranes. They can cause symptoms such as itching or burning. The incubation period, that is, the time between infection and the onset of symptoms in genital warts, ranges from 3 weeks to 8 months.

There are several types of genital warts caused by different pathogens:

  • Genital warts. Pale or reddish nodules, often standing together and appearing on the right, vagina, penis, urethra, anal canal and rectum. They are very contagious.
  • Flat warts. They appear as flat nodules and are located mainly on the female genitals. They increase the risk of developing cancer.
  • Giant warts (Buschke-Levenshtein tumors). They grow in huge formations, destroying the surrounding tissues. In rare cases, they can degenerate and cause squamous cell carcinoma.
tablets for the treatment of HPV

Upper respiratory tract infection is also possible. The conjunctiva of the eyes may be affected, resulting in growths of the pink stem. It is more difficult to detect an asymptomatic course that the doctor can only see with the help of aids such as acetic acid (which causes the warts to change color) or a microscope.

In addition, the virus can also take up cells without tissue changes. Then they talk about a latent infection, that is, the presence of pathogens, but without symptoms. After infection, this phase can last from several weeks to several months.

Possible consequences

When infected, viruses enter the cells of the homogeneous tissues of the skin and mucous membranes, deposit in the nuclei of cellular structures and multiply there. Usually, such HPV infections go unnoticed and heal on their own without any consequences, as the immune system successfully fights the pathogen.

However, some types of HPV cause changes in the skin, i. i. , growths. Possible forms are genital warts or warts and papillomas that can affect, for example, the face, arms or legs.

The tissue changes caused are mostly benign, but can also degenerate and cause cancer. For example, cancer can occur decades after HPV infection. External genital cancer (vulvar and vaginal cancer), anal cancer, penile cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat (head and neck tumors) are also possible.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of HPV is made by a doctor

Women are tested for HPV infection through preventive gynecological visits. During a gynecological examination, a swab is taken from the cervical mucosa, called the Papanicolaou test (cytological examination). The resulting material is examined for tissue changes to determine precancerous conditions.

Alternatively, an HPV test may be performed by laboratory testing of a specific mucosal swab or tissue sample cell material for specific viruses. However, this only allows the infection of the affected area to be demonstrated, but not to make any statements as to whether there have been any tissue changes. Thus, the HPV test makes sense, especially when combined with the Pap test, and can help detect cancer precursors at an early stage.

If the test is positive, this is not a concern, as infection does not always lead to cancer. Regular examination is recommended to detect tissue changes at an early stage. Conversely, a negative test result does not allow us to say whether there was an infection in the past with which the body successfully fought.

Men do not have a preventive examination in which the examination is performed regularly. If there is an appropriate cancer, a tumor test can determine if the root of the cancer is an HPV infection.

Specialized DNA methods, such as real-time PCR, are also used in laboratory diagnostics. HPV type 6 and 11 anogenital warts are easily detected during a pelvic exam.

How To Cure The Human Papilloma Virus

HPV in gynecology for a woman

In most cases, the disease does not require treatment because it goes away on its own and then the viruses are no longer detected. However, if this is not the case, the infection may last longer and continue for months or years.

To date, there are no systemic effects on these viral methods that would allow it to be completely eradicated. However, treating the acquired warts reduces the number of viruses, so in many cases the immune system can fight other viruses and get rid of them. In some cases, pathogens survive and can cause symptoms over and over again.

Therapeutic tactics depend on the type of HPV and the associated picture of the disease:

  • Plant and genital warts can be treated with topical salicylic acid preparations.
  • Cryotherapy is also a method often used for HPV. In this case, the wart is burned with cold using liquid nitrogen.
  • Lasers or electrocautery are equally applicable methods.

As the recurrence rate is quite high, it is recommended to check yourself regularly and use condoms for several months after the lesions have disappeared to avoid infecting your sexual partner.

Treating HPV cancer is much more difficult. In the case of cervical cancer, it is often recommended to remove the uterus, the upper part of the vagina and the ovaries, respectively. It can be supplemented with radiotherapy to rule out relapse. Other cancers caused by HPV are most often treated with targeted therapy, such as radiation or chemotherapy.

It should be remembered that surgery is not a cardinal solution, but only solves a cosmetic problem, because after removal, the virus is able to remain in the surrounding tissues and warts can appear.

Infection prevention

human papilloma virus on hand

There are two vaccinations: divalent HPV 16 and 18 and tetravalent HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. Vaccination is recommended for all young girls from 14 years of age.

Vaccination does not protect against all types of HPV. Therefore, regular smear tests are recommended for all women between the ages of 25 and 65, even if they have been vaccinated.

Early detection and complete removal of genital warts reduces the risk of disease. The effectiveness of condoms in preventing the transmission of infection can significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition. The most promising method for the prevention and treatment of the early stages of the disease caused by this infection is a special multivalent vaccine.