The most common infection that affects almost 90% of people on earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. After discovering a papilloma, no one gives the alarm, because among people it is considered to be common warts. Get rid of them only if they interfere or carry a cosmetic defect. The disease is "human" and is transmitted only from one patient to a healthy one: in daily life, through touch, through the reproductive system, during birth from mother to child. The disease can appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of warts, papillomas or condyloma. Let's understand what HPV is and how dangerous it is to humans.
What is HPV?
The virus lives in almost every person. HPV germs are so small that they can enter the bloodstream through scratches, abrasions and small cuts on the skin. It may not appear in any way throughout the life of the carrier, or it may appear continuously in all its glory. The incubation period can vary from a few weeks to several years. The signal for action is the weakening of the immune system. If papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes, then the body needs urgent treatment.
There are more than 70 species of human papillomavirus, but several new species are recorded each year. Conventionally, all types of HPV infection can be divided into two groups.
Warts are viruses that cause the development of warts in the body.
- HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4 cause the formation of plantar warts or corn;
- HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49 are responsible for the appearance of flat warts;
- HPV type 27 forms "butcher lytha";
- 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,
What is the risk of HPV?
Why in recent years, doctors have sounded the alarm and tried to educate the public about HPV? Because the percentage of cancer patients who have been diagnosed with this virus is seriously increasing. Not only women with uterine cancer suffer, but also men with male genital oncology. The number of skin cancers in the elderly 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 papillomas and adult warts are unpleasant. They are classified as low oncogenicity - minimal risk of developing cancer. Such formations are easily removed by folk methods or aesthetic medicine. But the virus itself is not treated with any means and medicine. If a person becomes infected, then he is a carrier of the virus throughout his life.
Other subtypes of papillomavirus infection belong to the group with high oncogenicity, ie they can affect the formation of malignant neoplasms in the body.
There are 3 types of its oncogenicity:
- Low-risk HPV: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- HPV with moderate oncological 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 papilloma virus types.
Skin lesions:
- Warts on the sole of the foot (grains) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Flat warts 3, 10, 28, 49
- Butcher Butt 7
- Epidermodysplasia veruciforme 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 genitals:
- Genital warts 6, 11, 42-44, 54
- Non-invading epithelial lesions in 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 mucosa:
- 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. The external manifestations of the disease are different, here are some types:
common warts
The most common form of HPV is warts. Almost any person can find in his body a similar papule with a diameter of no more than 5-7 mm. Warts are usually located on the outside of the palm, between the toes, on the soles of the feet, on the chin, eyelids, and on the scalp. Warts can grow in size and also form colonies from the mother papule. Then they can cause discomfort: itching and tingling in the growth sites.
The most "sick" are plantar warts, their common name is "thorns". During walking, they put pressure on nerve endings, which causes severe pain. Such growths are recommended to be surgically removed in clinics. Simple warts are not a threat to human health, they almost never develop into oncological tumors.
Butcher warts
Butcher warts look like numerous thick strands emerging from a single growth. Most often found on the fingers, especially at the sites of incisions. Long filiform papules bring inconvenience to their owner, as these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They may bleed when hit or itch. Although in the oncological sense, such warts are safe, but their damage will lead to trouble. The doctors' recommendation is to remove it without fail.
flat warts
Flat warts are also called "teenage warts" because they often appear during adolescence. They look like a large grouped dry rash on the skin. Cover forehead, cheeks, chin, forearms. The color may not change from skin to skin or be a little darker.
Butcher warts
Butcher warts are scar growth warts of normal skin color. They can be single and as groupings of several parts. The name of these wart growths was given by the professional activities of the 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 should consult a specialist. It is inherited, but is very rare in the form of dermatosis. From the outside, it looks like a pile of flat scaly rashes and age spots. The main sites of localization are the face, neck and hands. Unfortunately, this form of wart disease can develop into cancer.
Periungual warts
Warts located near the nail destroy the nail plate. They grow deep into the skin and deform the finger. They do not develop into malignant formations, but this does not make them any less undesirable. Surgery is necessary for both aesthetic and finger health reasons.
Bowen's disease
This form of HPV tends to degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma. When the skin is damaged, a rash measuring 5 mm is created, which grows and is covered with crusts. The upper layer of the epidermis is affected, the growth can be up to 5 cm in diameter. It is more common in the elderly, as immune protection is reduced.
Genital warts
This type of HPV is sexually transmitted, and therefore affects the genitals of men and women, as well as the mucosa of the urinary system and anus. The appearance of the formations resembles a cauliflower or a rooster comb. Genital warts can also appear in the corners of the mouth due to oral sex. The growths should be removed, as during friction it is possible for them to be damaged and cause infection.
Papilloma in the oropharynx
HPV infection in the mouth is also similar to cauliflower. White plaques can descend on the lungs and trachea, making it difficult for a person to breathe. You can damage the papilloma while eating, which can lead to cancer. Since a malignant tumor cannot be distinguished from a benign one, it is necessary to perform tests before removing the plaques.
Flowering papillomatosis can be not only in the elderly. The disease occurs in children and adults. The main signs of laryngeal papillomatosis are dysphonia (speech disorder) and aphonia (inability to speak), hoarseness and difficulty breathing.
Treatment Methods
Methods to get rid of papillomavirus infection do not exist today. Therefore, treatment is reduced to the removal of external formations and suppression of the virus in the patient's body. There are times when certain types of virus die on their own in the body for several years. Which methods and preparations to be used for treatment are determined by the doctor only on the basis of diagnosis, analysis and external examination of the patient.
Destructive methods:
- surgical removal (incision) of the wart / papilloma (used only if a malignant lesion is suspected);
- electrocoagulation - cauterization of the formation with a coagulator through which an electric current passes;
- cryodestruction - destruction of the wart with liquid nitrogen;
- laser treatment - the impact on the formation of a laser beam;
- Radio wave method - exposure to a wart / papilloma using the Surgitron apparatus.
Chemical treatments:
- cauterization with salicylic acid;
- processing education of trichloroacetic acid 50-90% concentration;
- a mixture of acids - treatment with an educational preparation (efficiency is very low).
Drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects should be included in therapy to activate the immune system and suppress HPV.
Disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid getting the HPV virus, as it can be infected in a bathroom, pool, when using common household items, in the hospital. But these strains are light and do not cause cancer. Prevention usually comes down to personal hygiene, prompt treatment of cuts and injuries with antibacterial agents, and use of protective equipment at work.
Special attention should be paid to the prevention of sexually transmitted virus. Protecting your body with a condom is unlikely to succeed. A viral infection in a partner can be found near the genitals and in the mouth. The best way to avoid infection is pre-vaccination. Vaccinations should be given to girls and boys before the onset of sexual activity at the age of 11-13 years. Immunity lasts from 3-5 to 10 years and depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Vaccination can then be repeated if there is a risk of infection (change of sexual partners).
High-risk oncogenic HPV can actually cause tissue changes and lead to an oncological process. But from the first signs and the development of cancer several years pass. Therefore, it is so important to conduct annual medical examinations with a physician, especially for women. Regular gynecological examination reveals changes in both the external genitalia and the cervix. Take care of your health!