From warts to cancer. What is papilloma, and why is it dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
This virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condylomas of various forms. Tumors consist of nodules and resemble cauliflower inflorescences or nests. Skin papilloma can be small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation has a flesh color, but over time it acquires a brown color. Most often, warts appear on the neck, in the inguinal folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head, and around the eyes. Also, growths can be in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitalia.
Classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greek times. Until now, statistics say that only 1 in 10 people are not carriers of any type of HPV.
To determine the type of virus you have, you need to see a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
Mode of infection
Papillomavirus needs special conditions to infiltrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest danger of transmission is through sexual contact, because the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus, and there are often microcracks on the genitals.
In everyday life, it is more difficult to get infected with the papilloma virus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if sick and healthy people use the same bath towels and washcloths. If someone in the family has HPV, then personal hygiene and precautions should always be followed.
The only manifestation of papillomavirus is genital warts and flat papules, although there may be no visible manifestation of the virus.
Risk factors
What to do, if…
. . . if you accidentally damage or pick a tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green alcohol solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not bother him with the water procedure and do not cover him with a band-aid.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you need to immediately seek help from a specialist.
Human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cervical cancer, as well as external genitalia.
But infection with papilloma does not necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses of low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (more often they appear in the form of sharp growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, they form flat papules - warts. But from infection to degeneration of malignant cells, on average, it takes 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from sleep.
Papilloma is induced to destructive changes by sexual infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Also, shallow inaccuracies can be a risk factor. Papilloma in the armpit, on the neck and face is often injured, after which it bleeds and can become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body that you often touch, this is a direct indication for their removal.
Importance and Effectiveness of Vaccination
Vaccination against papillomavirus is important to prevent cancer and genital warts in men and women. Also, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by about 70%, and vaccine 9, approved for use in Israel since the academic year 5780 (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by about 90%.
- Vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 96%.
- Penile cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 99%.
- Rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by approximately 77%.
- Genital wartsIn Australia, among girls under the age of 21, the vaccine reduced the incidence by about 92%, and among boys aged 16-26 by about 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear shortly after infection.
The duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the period of time that has passed since the vaccine was first used. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict that vaccines will provide protection for years to come; maybe a lifetime.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection into the shoulder area, two or three times over six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 26 years.
In special cases, on the recommendation of the attending physician, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45 years.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- Vaccines do not cure diseases caused by infections that occurred before vaccination, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible at the first sexual intercourse, and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the start of sexual activity.
- The best immune response is achieved with vaccination at school age, compared to vaccination at an older age.
Vaccination against HPV papillomavirus as part of the school vaccination program
- Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two parts with an interval of six months.
- In previous years, vaccinations were carried out: From the 2015-2016 school year and until the 2018-2019 school year, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In the 2014-2015 school year, childrengirls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of school with vaccine 4. In 2013- In the 2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the 8th grade of school, and girls in the 9th grade in the health bureau.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, not just girls, follows the same reasons girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by viruses
- To prevent the spread of the virus from person to person
Vaccination of unvaccinated children at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated at school are given the HPV vaccine.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 or later, and boys born in 2002 or later who have not completed their full vaccination course, get vaccinated.
- 9th grade students- Vaccinations will be carried out by health care providers for students at residence, free of charge.
- Students in grade 10 and above who are under 18 years old– Vaccination will be carried out at the Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health at the residence, free of charge.
- Aged 18 years and above– you can get the vaccine at the health insurance fund, for a fee.
Children who received only one dose of the vaccine in 8th grade should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose after at least six months.
Children who received two doses in 8th grade less than five months apart should receive a booster vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From grade 9 and up, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by giving three doses (instead of two, because the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second part is from one to two months, and between the second and third part is five months.
It is recommended to vaccinate adults up to 26 years of age.
Adults who have received one dose of the vaccine in the past should add the vaccine according to age at the time of vaccination.
Do not give the vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.
There is no need to check for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccine safety
The HPV vaccine contains only the empty shell of the virus, and does not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - therefore it is safe, and there is no possibility of infection with the HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.