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 danger to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to know how papillomas are spread and follow simple preventive rules.
Human papillomavirus is part of a group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 types.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups.About 60% of the world's population are carriers.
The danger lies not only in the question of "is the virus contagious," but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papillomavirus lives and reproduces actively in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they are able to spread from one organism to another.
It has been proven that viruses can grow for a short time in the external environment, but usually their entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.
Most types of viruses are harmless to human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the occurrence of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
safe(if we consider the possibility of getting cancer).
It occurs without obvious symptoms and is harmless to the human body;
Low risk- when they enter the body, genital warts occur in 90% of cases.Cell mutations can be observed in isolated cases;high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and trigger the degeneration of cells to become atypical.
There are viruses that are spread from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the bodies of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the prevalence of viruses, it is necessary to know how papillomas are transmitted.HPV can be transmitted through contact or vertical (from mother to fetus during pregnancy) method.
Contactsincluding the path of domestic and sexual relations.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 reveal the possibility of infection due to toxicosis.
Papilloma virus can be transmitted sexually and through household contact.In the second case, normal communication with a human carrier does not always lead to infection.
One of the conditions in which the possibility of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
The risk of infection is high when there are scratches, cuts, wounds, and abrasions on the skin.Due to a decrease in general and local immunity, the body's defense response worsens.
With insufficient production of class A antibodies, the normal function of the immune system is disrupted, and the body's susceptibility to viruses and infections increases.
Various sexually transmitted diseases can act as a provoking factor that contributes to papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
The standard manifestation of papillomavirus in such conditions is the appearance of condylomas on the genitals.Deterioration of immunity indicators is observed against the background of disturbances in vaginal and intestinal microflora.The immune system of HIV sufferers is severely affected.
Papillomavirus is activated in the following conditions:
- the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute stage of any chronic disease;
- Poor working conditions;
- Hypothermia;
- Congenital immunodeficiency conditions;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- A stressful situation;
- Poor nutrition.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, symptoms may take several years, which become more pronounced during periods of weakened immunity.
Mode of transmission of papilloma
Papilloma virus is spread through household contact:
- Through a handshake;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When trying on other people's clothes (you can't wear other people's underwear);
- When visiting a public bath, sauna.
The sexual route of infection is particularly dangerous, because the risk of infection with oncogenic subtypes of the virus is high.People with a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
This also applies to men who are exposed to homosexual relations, because during such sexual relations there is a high probability of injury to the skin and mucous membranes.
Also, the possibility of transmitting the virus to each other during sexual intercourse increases if a partner has genital warts - they hurt easily and are highly contagious.
Human papillomavirus in pregnant women can be transmitted to the fetus.During pregnancy, this happens in rare cases;children are often infected during the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is inherited from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease on the genitals.
Infection of children at birth 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, which leads to the appearance of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts most often appear on the fingers, elbows, and knees.
This is a non-cancerous formation, solid to the touch, the color can vary from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
At an older age, HPV manifests itself with the formation of papillomas.They are soft and attached to the skin with a stem.As a rule, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes they 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 on any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the state of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membrane of the external genitalia.Sometimes they can be found on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina, and anus.
Looking at photos of people with HPV, you can see how many neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger lies in the possibility of their degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are detected, they conduct studies to determine their oncogenicity and remove them.Photo: growth on the mucous membrane of the tongue
What is the most dangerous type of HPV?
Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.However, there is no need to panic if you are diagnosed with this condition.
First you need to know the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of those infected were diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by a low carcinogenic risk.
The most dangerous strains are: 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.This virus often develops against the background of inflammation that affects the genitals.
This is possible: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudo-erosion 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;
- specific secretions;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse;
- proliferation and fusion of condyloma on the genitals.
Genital warts can occur on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum and perineum.
This manifestation of HPV not only looks unattractive, but also causes discomfort: pain, itching, and possibly bleeding.
Detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of the cancer process.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is carried out by taking tests and conducting laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR;colposcopy;biopsy.An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
It allows you to get an analysis for each type of virus, as well as determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, experts can identify the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You need to prepare for the test.
Patients should not engage in sexual activity, drink alcohol or take antiviral drugs for several days.
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with a solution of acetic acid, which reveals the papilloma, and it becomes clearly visible.
During a biopsy, the affected tissue area is taken for examination.This material is then stained and examined.Biopsy is a very accurate research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with drugs.Therefore, the only treatment option today is papilloma removal.
Medicines are only prescribed as maintenance therapy.
Direct removal can be done using several methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- lasers;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high frequency current.After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off by itself after a few days.
This method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but it has some disadvantages.
First, the removed papilloma cannot be examined.Second, scars may form at the dump.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
This is a safe and painless method, after which no marks remain on the body.
The cryodestruction method to remove papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.The area of tissue that needs to be removed is flash frozen.
In this case, minor discomfort may occur.The entire area of dead skin peels off 2-6 weeks after treatment.
Prevention
Realizing the prevalence of viruses, I would like to know not only whether papilloma is contagious, but also what can be done to prevent infection.
As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with the most common oncogenic types of HPV.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.As a rule, it is recommended to do it between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that even if the virus has entered the body, the vaccine can deactivate it and increase immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is damaged, they must be treated;
- You may not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- in public saunas the use of rubber slippers is recommended;
- any disease must not be allowed to progress to a chronic stage;
- relationships with regular sexual partners;use a condom;
- hardening and moderate physical activity;
- proper and regular nutrition.
Adhering to these simple rules will help significantly reduce the risk of papillomavirus infection and protect your body from its penetration.