The most common infection that affects nearly 90% of people on earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. Having discovered a papilloma, no one sounds the alarm, because among people they are considered ordinary warts. Get rid of them only if they interfere or have a cosmetic defect. The disease is "human" and is transmitted only from a patient to a healthy one: in everyday life, through touch, through the reproductive system, during childbirth from mother to child. The disease can manifest itself on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of warts, papillomas or warts. Let's find out what HPV is and how dangerous is it for humans?
What is HPV?
The virus lives in almost every person. HPV germs are so small that they can enter the bloodstream through abrasions, scrapes, and small cuts on the skin. It may not show itself in any way throughout the bearer's life, or it may consistently show itself in all his glory. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to several years. The signal for action is a weakening of the immune system. If 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 - warts also develop.
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 in recent years raised the alarm and tried to educate the public about HPV disease? Because the percentage of cancer patients diagnosed with this virus is soaring. Not only women with uterine cancer suffer, but also men with oncology of the male genital organs. The number of skin cancers among the elderly is also on the rise.
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 uncomfortable. They are classified as low oncogenic - minimal risk of developing cancer. Such formations can be 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 carrier of the virus for 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:
- HPV with low cancer risk: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- HPV of medium cancer 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 (calluses) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Flat warts 3, 10, 28, 49
- Butcher of warts 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 invasion into other layers (intraepithelial lesions) can 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 the 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 diverse, here are some types of them:
common warts
The most common form of HPV are warts. Almost every person can find on his body a similar papule with a diameter of not more than 5-7 mm. Warts are usually found on the outside of the palm, between the fingers, on the soles of the feet, chin, eyelids, and scalp. Warts can grow in size and even form colonies from the maternal papule. So they can cause discomfort: itching and tingling in the places of growth.
The most "sick" are plantar warts, their common name is "thorns". When walking, they put pressure on the nerve endings, causing severe pain. It is recommended to surgically remove such growths in clinics. Simple warts are not a threat to human health, they almost never turn into oncological tumors.
Butcher warts
Butcher's warts look like thicker threads that protrude from a single growth. Most often it is found on the fingers, especially in the cut places. Long filiform papules bring inconvenience to their owner, as these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They can bleed if hit or scraped. Although in an oncological sense, such warts are safe, but their damage will lead to problems. 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 dry clustered rash on the skin. Cover the forehead, cheeks, chin, forearms. The color may not differ from the skin or be slightly darker.
Butcher warts
Butcher's warts are scarred warty growths of normal skin color. They can be both single and in clusters of several pieces. The name of these wart growths was given by the professional activity 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 it is necessary to consult a specialist. It is inherited, but is very rare in the form of dermatosis. Outwardly, it looks like an accumulation of flat scaly rashes and age spots. The main localization sites are the face, neck and hands. Unfortunately, this form of wart disease can turn 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 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 5 mm redness forms, which grows and becomes covered with scabs. 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 immunity is reduced.
Genital warts
This type of HPV is sexually transmitted and therefore affects the genitals of 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 due to oral sex. Growths must be removed, as during friction it is possible to injure them and cause an infection.
Papillomas in the oropharynx
HPV infection in the mouth is also similar to cauliflower. White plaques can descend into the lungs and trachea, making it difficult for a person to breathe. You can damage the papilloma while you eat, which in turn can lead to cancer. Since a malignant tumor cannot be distinguished from a benign one, tests must be performed 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 in breathing.
Methods of treatment
Methods of getting rid of papillomavirus infection do not exist today. Thus, the treatment is reduced to the removal of external formations and the suppression of the virus in the patient's body. There are cases where some types of viruses have died on their own in the body for several years. What methods and preparations to use for treatment are determined by the doctor only on the basis of the diagnosis, tests and external examination of the patient.
Destructive methods:
- surgical excision (cutting) 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 - the 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;
- education in processing trichloroacetic acid 50-90% concentration;
- a mixture of acids - treatment with an educational preparation (efficiency is very low).
To activate the immune system and suppress HPV, drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects must be included in the therapy.
Disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid contracting the HPV virus, as it can become infected in a bathhouse, in a swimming pool, when using common household items, in a hospital. But these strains are mild and don't cause cancer. Prevention usually comes down to personal hygiene, quick treatment of cuts and injuries with antibacterial agents, and the use of protective equipment at work.
Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of the sexually transmitted virus. Protecting your body with condoms is unlikely to be successful. A viral infection in a partner can be located 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 sexual activity begins at the age of 11-13. Immunity lasts 3-5 to 10 years and depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Therefore the vaccination can be repeated if there is a risk of infection (change of sexual partners).
HPV with a high oncogenic risk can in fact cause alterations in the tissues and lead to an oncological process. But several years pass between the first signs and the development of cancer. Therefore, it is so important to conduct annual medical examinations with a doctor, especially for women. Regular gynecological examination reveals changes in both the external genital organs and the cervix. Watch your health!