Human papilloma virus is an oncogenic disease. The main manifestations of HPV are the formation of warts, papillomas and condyloma on the skin and mucous membranes. Both women and men are affected by the virus.
Causes of HPV formation and activation
Note! The main reason for the appearance of papilloma virus in the body is infection from an infected person.
Factors that provoke infection include:
- weakened immunity;
- bad habits;
- frequent and severe nervous shocks;
- viral infections;
- gastrointestinal tract pathology;
- frequent change of sexual partners, unprotected sexual intercourse.
Can human papilloma virus be cured?
HPV in the active phase of development can be treated.
The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the symptoms and strengthen the protective mechanism of the human body.
Depending on the type of virus, symptoms and complications, different treatments can be used.
Can HPV be cured permanently?
The characteristic of HPV is that when it enters the body, it settles in it forever. In periods when the body has a strong defense mechanism and is not exposed to these risk factors, the virus is at rest and not activated.
With the reduction of the immune system, non-compliance with the rules of hygiene, deterioration of health, the papilloma virus can be reactivated.
Methods of papilloma virus infection
HPV infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person, through mucous membranes and skin. There are several ways of infection:
- The main way is sexual contact. The probability of transmitting the papilloma virus from an infected partner during an unprotected intercourse is 60-70%. The risk increases significantly with frequent partner changes. In the presence of microtrauma to the mucous membranes, infection is possible even during kissing or oral sex;
- HPV infection also occurs at home: when using the same towels, dishes and hygiene products with an infected person. There is a risk of contracting the papilloma virus in public saunas, bathrooms and swimming pools;
- Vertical transmission of the virus is also possible - from mother to fetus during childbirth.
Why is the human papilloma virus dangerous?
All types of HPV can be conditionally divided into two categories: viruses with low and high oncogenic risk. Groups of the second category are capable of developing into oncological disease.
Note! HPV poses the greatest risk to women: highly oncogenic strains of the virus are most prone to them.
In women, the papilloma virus can cause a number of diseases related to the reproductive system:
- cervical pathology: erosion, leukoplakia, adenocarcinoma, cancerous tumors;
- external genital oncology, anal area.
Also, the development of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of warts and papillomas on the genitals, limbs, armpits and neck. Neoplasms cause discomfort, interfere with hygiene and lead a normal life, so they should be taken care of.
In men, the risk of developing HPV cancer is lower, but it is not excluded. In addition, acute angle papillomas can form on the penis, which cause discomfort and interfere with normal sexual activity. Such neoplasms should be removed immediately.
Diagnostic methods
Identification of the disease usually begins with a visual examination by a physician. During the examination, the mucous membranes and skin integuments are studied, and it is necessary to examine the areas where warts and papillomas are most often formed: genital area, armpit, neck.
The main methods for diagnosing HPV include the following:
- Women definitely need colposcopy, examination of the cervix and vagina, as well as cytological tests (scraping from the mucous membrane). If oncology is suspected, a biopsy may be additionally prescribed;
- PCR analysis (polymerase chain reaction). It allows you to identify virus DNA from any material provided for analysis;
- Digene test is a more accurate analysis. According to its results, the papilloma virus can be detected, DNA can recognize its type and determine the degree of malignancy.
General HPV treatment regimen
There are currently no uniform international protocols for the treatment of human papilloma virus. Two-component treatment regimens have proven to be the best: they combine the removal of viral lesions with surgical methods and the simultaneous passage of special antiviral therapy. The effectiveness of this approach to the treatment of HPV is up to 90%.
Characteristics of treatment in children
When HPV is activated in a child, doctors primarily resort to conservative methods of therapy: the appointment of immunomodulators and vitamins, as well as local treatment of oily rashes, compresses.
Surgery is usually resorted to only in cases where the growth of warts and papillomas is observed during the observation.
Characteristics of treatment during pregnancy
Note! HPV during the period of birth does not have a pronounced negative impact on its development and the course of pregnancy in general.
The main recommendations for the treatment of papilloma virus during pregnancy:
- If the virus is detected before pregnancy, you should be treated without delay. This will normalize immunity and avoid thrush and other infections;
- It is advisable to plan the beginning of pregnancy at the end of the second cycle after the end of treatment;
- HPV treatment in pregnancy should be started no later than the 28th week of pregnancy - the period when all the organs in the baby are formed. This will help avoid the negative effects of drugs on the child's body.
treatment of papilloma virus
The main treatments for HPV are:
- taking specific antiviral drugs;
- immunomodulator course;
- surgical removal of neoplasms (papillomas, warts);
- alleviating the symptoms of the disease with the help of traditional medicine.
Antiviral therapy
Bitan! The choice of drugs depends on the type of virus and the characteristics of the organism. Only a doctor can prescribe the course of therapy and the dose of medication, self-medication can worsen the situation.
Immunomodulatory drugs
The appointment of immunomodulators should be made by the doctor in accordance with the patient's immunogram - it will achieve a faster and more stable result.
Surgical approach (removal of growths)
The main goal of HPV surgery is to remove virus-modified cells from the body.
Removal can be done in several ways, depending on the characteristics of the disease and the indications of the doctor:
- Electrocoagulation. Depending on the HPV group, the effectiveness of treatment ranges from 80% to 95%;
- Laser rash removal. High efficiency, but there is a high probability of recurrence. In addition, wounds heal long after the procedure - up to 4 weeks;
- radiowave surgery. It is used to remove individual formations;
- Cryotherapy. Efficiency - up to 65%, recurrence occurs in 40-50% of cases;
- Chemodestructive agents. Applicable only for genital rash. Relatively low efficiency - no more than 40%.
Folk remedies
Note! Alternative medicine should not be considered a complete method of treating HPV. However, they are an affordable and safe way to reduce the active manifestation of the virus.
The most effective for the papilloma virus are such folk remedies: fresh potato juice, steeply boiled wire, a mixture of garlic and vinegar, kalanchoe leaves, tea tree oil.
They should be used in the form of compresses, compresses for external manifestations of HPV - papillomas, warts.
Prevention of HPV recurrence
The main goals of preventing the reappearance of warts and papillomas are to strengthen immunity and maintain hygiene at home and in public places. Recommended:
- adhere to a proper diet;
- undergo vitamin therapy;
- adhere to a normal way of working, get enough sleep and relax completely;
- increase physical activity.
Bitan! Vaccination is an effective method of preventing HPV reactivation - it can be used for long-term protection against the most dangerous groups of viruses.