The most common infection affecting almost 90% of people on earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. Having discovered a papilloma, no one raises the alarm, because among people it is considered ordinary warts. Only dispose of them if they are annoying or bear a blemish. The disease is "human" and is transmitted only from a patient to a healthy one: in everyday life, by touch, through the reproductive system, during childbirth from mother to baby. The disease can spread to the skin or mucous membranes in the form ofExpressing warts, papillomas or condylomas Let's find out what HPV is 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, scrapes and small cuts on the skin. It may show itself in no way throughout the wearer's life, or it may show itself in all its glory constantly. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to several years. The signal for action is the weakening of the immune system. When papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes, the body needs urgent treatment.
There are more than 70 types of human papillomavirus, but several new strains are registered every year. Conventionally, all types of HPV infection can be divided into two groups.
Warts are viruses that cause warts to develop in the body.
- HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4 cause plantar warts or corns to form;
- HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49 are responsible for the appearance of flat warts;
- HPV type 27 forms "butcher's warts";
- HPV: 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19-24, 26, 27, 29, 57 - also develop warts.
Papilloma - viruses that cause 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, 67-69
What is the danger of HPV?
Why have doctors been sounding the alarm and trying to educate the public about HPV disease in recent years? Because the percentage of cancer patients diagnosed with this virus is increasing sharply. Not only women with uterine cancer suffer from it, but also men with oncology of the male genital organs. The number of skin cancer cases in older people is also increasing.
Of course, there are types of HPV that do not affect a person's internal health, but their manifestations in the form of grown papillomas and warts are unpleasant. They are classified as low oncogenicity - minimal cancer risk. Such formations are easily removed by folk methods or aesthetic medicine. But the virus itself is not treated with any means and medicines. If a person becomes infected, then he is a virus carrier for his entire life.
Other subspecies of papillomavirus infection 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 its oncogenicity:
- Low cancer risk HPV: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- HPV intermediate oncologic 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 papillomavirus types.
skin lesions:
- Plantar warts (corns) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Flat warts 3, 10, 28, 49
- wart butcher 7
- Veruciform epidermodysplasia 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20-25, 36, 37, 46, 47, 50
Lesions of the mucous membranes of the genital organs:
- Genital warts 6, 11, 42-44, 54
- Epithelial lesions without invading 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
Lesions of non-genital mucous membranes:
- Lesions of the oral mucosa (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 infection are asymptomatic. External manifestations of the disease are different, here are some types:
common warts
The most common form of HPV are warts. Almost every person can find a similar papule on his body with a diameter of no more than 5-7 mm. Warts are usually found on the outside of the palms of the hands, between the fingers, on the soles of the feet, on the chin, eyelids, and scalp. Warts can increase in size and also form colonies from the maternal papule. Then they can cause discomfort: itching and tingling at the growth sites.
The "sickest" are plantar warts, their common name is "thorns". When walking, they put pressure on the nerve endings, which causes severe pain. It is recommended to surgically remove such growths in clinics. Simple warts do not pose a threat to human health, they almost never develop into oncological tumors.
butcher warts
Butcher warts look like multiple thick threads protruding from a single growth. Most often on the fingers, especially in places with cuts. Long filiform papules cause inconvenience to their owner, since these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They may bleed if hit or scratched. While such warts are safe in an oncological sense, damaging them will cause problems. The recommendation of doctors is to remove it without fail.
flat warts
Flat warts are also known as "juvenile warts" because they commonly appear during puberty. They appear as a dry clustered large rash on the skin. Cover the forehead, cheeks, chin, and forearms. The color should not differ from the skin orbe a little darker.
butcher warts
Butcher's warts are scarred wart growths the color of normal skin. They can be present either individually or as a cluster of several pieces. The name of these warty growths was given by the occupation of butchers. We can say that this type of infection is an occupational disease of the meat industry.
Verruciform epidermodysplasia
This disease can be confused with pityriasis versicolor, so you need to consult a specialist. It is inherited, but occurs very rarely in the form of dermatoses. Outwardly, it looks like a cluster of flat, scaly rashes and age spots. The main places of localization are the face, neck and hands. Unfortunately, this form of wart disease can progress to cancer.
Periungual warts
Warts near the nail destroy the nail plate. They grow deep into the skin and deform the finger. They don't evolve into vicious formations, but that doesn't make them any less undesirable. Surgery is necessary both for aesthetic reasons and for the health of the fingers.
Bowen's disease
This form of HPV tends to degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma. When the skin is damaged, a reddening of 5 mm in size is formed, which grows and becomes covered with crusts. The top layer of the epidermis is affected, growths can be up to 5 cm in diameter. It occurs more frequently in older people because the immune system is reduced.
genital warts
This type of HPV is sexually transmitted and therefore affects the genitals of both men and women, as well as the mucous membranes of the urinary system and anus. The appearance of the formations resembles a cauliflower or a cockscomb. Genital warts can also appear in the corners of the mouth from oral sex. The growths must be removed because friction can injure them and cause infection.
Papillomas in the oropharynx
Also, the HPV infection in the mouth is similar to cauliflower. White plaques can descend into the lungs and windpipe, making breathing difficult. You can damage papilloma when eating, which in turn can lead to cancer. Since a malignant tumor cannot be distinguished from a benign one, it is necessary to conduct tests before removing the plaques.
Blooming papillomatosis can occur not only in the elderly. The disease occurs in children and adults. The main symptoms of laryngeal papillomatosis are dysphonia (speech disorder) and aphonia (inability to speak), hoarseness and difficulty breathing.
treatment methods
Methods for getting rid of papillomavirus infection today do not exist. Therefore, treatment is reduced to removing external formations and suppressing the virus in the patient's body. There are cases when some types of the virus died by themselves in the body for several years. Which methods and preparations will be used for treatment, the doctor determines only on the basis of the diagnosis, tests and external examination of the patient.
Destructive Methods:
- surgical excision (cutting out) of the wart / papilloma (only if a malignant lesion is suspected);
- Electrocoagulation - cauterization of the formation using a coagulator through which an electric current flows;
- cryodestruction - the destruction of the wart with liquid nitrogen;
- laser treatment - the effect on the formation of a laser beam;
- Radio wave method - exposure to a wart / papilloma using the Surgitron device.
Chemical treatments:
- cauterization with salicylic acid;
- Processing formation trichloroacetic acid 50-90% concentration;
- a mixture of acids - treatment with an educational preparation (efficiency is very low).
In order to activate the immune system and suppress HPV, it is necessary to include drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects in therapy.
disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid the HPV virus, since it can be infected in a bathhouse, swimming pool, when using common household items, in a hospital. But these strains are mild and do not cause cancer. Prevention usually comes down to personal hygiene, prompt treatment of cuts and injuries with antibacterial agents, and the use of protective gear while on the job.
Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of the sexually transmitted virus. You are unlikely to protect your body with condoms. A viral infection in a partner can be located near the genitals and in the mouth. The best way to avoid infection is to get vaccinated. Girls and boys should be vaccinated before starting sexual activity at the age of 11-13. Immunity lasts 3-5 to 10 years and depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Then the vaccination can be repeated if there is a risk of infection (change of sexual partners).
HPV with high oncogenic risk can actually cause tissue changes and lead to an oncological process. However, several years pass between the first signs and the development of cancer. That is why it is so important, especially for women, to have annual medical examinations with a doctor. Regular gynecological examinations reveal changes in both the external genital organs and the cervix. Take care of your health!