Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Some types of neoplasms pose a serious threat to people.
Therefore, to prevent infection, it is necessary to know how papillomas are transmitted and follow simple prevention rules.
Human papillomavirus is part of the group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 species.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups.About 60% of the world's population is its carrier.
The danger is not only in the question of whether the virus is contagious, but also in the fact that the infected person does not feel any symptoms and does not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papillomaviruses live in the basal layer of the skin and multiply actively.At the same time, they are able to spread from one organism to another.
It has been proven that the virus can develop for a short time in the external environment, but usually its entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.
Most types of the virus are not dangerous for human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the formation of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
Safe(considering the possibility of developing cancer).
They occur without obvious symptoms and are not dangerous for the human body;
Low risk- when entering the body, genital warts are formed in 90% of cases.Cell mutation can be observed in isolated cases;high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can lead to the development of cervical cancer and cause the cells to degenerate into atypical ones.
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the bodies of birds and animals, but do not pose a threat to humans.
Considering the spread of the virus, it is necessary to know how papillomas are transmitted.HPV can be transmitted by contact or vertically (from mother to fetus during pregnancy).
Contactincludes household and sexual routes.Can you get a virus through kissing?This is also possible if the infected person has condylomas caused by HPV in the oral cavity.
The fetus can become infected through a damaged placenta.Laboratory studies revealed the possibility of infection due to toxicosis.
Papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and domestically.In the latter case, ordinary contact with a human carrier does not always lead to infection.
One of the conditions in which the probability of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
If there are scratches, cuts, wounds and abrasions on the skin, the risk of infection is high.Due to the reduction of general and local immunity, the body's defense reactions deteriorate.
With sufficient production of class A antibodies, the normal functioning of the immune system is disrupted, and the body's susceptibility to viruses and infections increases.
Various sexually transmitted diseases can act as a trigger for papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
In such a case, the standard manifestation of the papillomavirus is the appearance of condylomas on the genitals.Deterioration of immunity indicators is observed against the background of disruption of the microflora of the vagina and intestines.The immune system of people infected with HIV is severely affected.
Papillomavirus is activated in the following cases:
- the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute stage of any chronic disease;
- Poor working conditions;
- hypothermia;
- congenital immunodeficiency condition;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- Stressful conditions;
- Poor nutrition.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, it may take several years for the symptoms to appear, which are more pronounced during the period of weakening of immunity.
Ways of transmission of papillomas
Papilloma virus is transmitted by household contacts:
- By shaking hands;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towel, etc.);
- When wearing someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
- When visiting public baths, saunas.
The sexual route of infection is especially dangerous, because the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.People with multiple sexual partners are at risk.
This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual relationships, because there is a high probability of damage to the skin and mucous membranes during such intercourse.
Also, the possibility of transmitting the virus to each other during sex increases if the partner has genital warts - they are easily injured and highly contagious.
Human papillomavirus can pass to the fetus in pregnant women.This rarely happens during pregnancy;usually the child is infected while passing through the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is inherited from mother to child only when there are external manifestations of the disease in the genitals.
Infection of children during childbirth is accompanied by laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by serious impairment of respiratory function.
There is also a possibility of infection during breastfeeding.
Papillomavirus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, causing the appearance of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts appear most often on the fingers, elbows and knees.
These are non-cancerous formations that are dense to the touch and can vary in color from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
In old age, HPV manifests itself with the formation of papillomas.They are soft and stick to the skin with a thread.As a rule, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes it can be dark brown.
Most often, papillomas are located in the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, neoplasms can occur in any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the condition of the urethra, causing urination and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia.Sometimes they can be found in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina and anus.
Looking at the photos of people with HPV, you can see how neoplasms can spoil the appearance, despite the fact that the main danger is their possible degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are detected, they conduct research to determine and eliminate their oncogenicity.Photo: growths on the mucous membrane of the tongue
Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?
Even those who know how human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.However, if you are diagnosed with this condition, you should not panic.
First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of infected people were diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, characterized by low carcinogenic risks.
The most dangerous strains: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of papillomavirus in women
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus often develops against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals.
These can be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudoerosion of the cervix.It is often combined with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes.The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
- itching and burning in the genitals;
- special secretion;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse;
- proliferation and consolidation of condylomas in the genitals.
Genital warts can occur on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum, and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unattractive, but also cause discomfort: there may be pain, itching and bleeding.
Detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of the cancer process.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is carried out by conducting tests and conducting laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR;colposcopy;biopsy.An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
It allows to obtain an analysis for each type of virus, as well as to determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, experts can determine the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You need to prepare for the tests.
The patient should not have sexual activity, drink alcohol and take antiviral drugs for several days.
Colposcopy is examination of the cervix with a special microscope.Cervical papillomas are smeared with a solution of acetic acid, and they are clearly visible.
During a biopsy, an area of the affected tissue is taken for examination.This material is then painted and inspected.Biopsy is a highly accurate research method that can be used together with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with drugs.Therefore, the only treatment today is the removal of papillomas.
Medicines are prescribed only as maintenance therapy.
Direct removal can be done using several methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high-frequency current.After treatment with papilloma, after a few days a crust is formed that comes off by itself.
The method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also widespread, but it has a number of disadvantages.
First, the removed papilloma cannot be examined.Second, scarring may occur at the site of removal.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
This is a safe, painless method, after which no traces are left on the body.
The cryodestruction method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.Tissue areas to be removed are flash frozen.
In this case, a small inconvenience may arise.The entire area of dead skin is peeled off 2-6 weeks after treatment.
Prevention
Understanding the spread of the virus, I want to find out not only whether papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with common highly oncogenic types of HPV.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.As a rule, it is recommended to do this between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can neutralize it and increase immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is broken, it should be treated;
- You may not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- it is recommended to use rubber slippers in public saunas;
- any disease should not be allowed to progress to a chronic stage;
- contact with a regular sexual partner;condom use;
- hardening and moderate physical activity;
- proper and regular nutrition.
Following these simple rules will help to significantly reduce the risk of papillomavirus infection and protect your body from its penetration.