Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Some types of neoplasms pose a serious danger to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple prevention rules.
The human papillomavirus belongs to a group of viruses that belong to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species and more than 170 species.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups.Approximately 60% of the world's population are carriers of this disease.
The danger lies not only in the question “Is the virus contagious”, but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papilloma viruses live and actively multiply in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they can be transmitted from one organism to another.
It has been proven that the virus can develop in the external environment for a short time, but its entire life cycle usually occurs inside the cell.
Most types of the virus are harmless to human health, but there are species with oncogenic properties that can lead to the development of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
secure(if we take into account the probability of getting cancer).
They occur without any pronounced symptoms and are harmless to the human body;
Low risk- If they enter the body, genital warts develop in 90% of cases.In individual cases a cell mutation can be observed;high risk.
If certain factors are present, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and provoke the degeneration of cells into atypical cells.
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but also species that occur in the bodies of birds and animals but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the spread of the virus, it is necessary to know how papillomas are transmitted.HPV can be transmitted through contact or vertically (from mother to fetus during pregnancy).
contactincludes contact-household and sexual routes.Can you get a virus from a kiss?This is possible even if the infected person has condylomas in the oral cavity caused by HPV.
The fetus can become infected through a damaged placenta.Laboratory studies revealed the likelihood of infection due to toxicosis.
The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through household contact.In the latter case, normal communication with a human carrier does not always result in infection.
One of the conditions under which the likelihood of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
Scratches, cuts, wounds and abrasions on the skin pose a high risk of infection.Due to a decrease in general and local immunity, the body's defense reactions worsen.
If there is insufficient production of class A antibodies, the normal functioning of the immune system is disrupted and the body's susceptibility to viruses and infections increases.
Various sexually transmitted infectious diseases can act as a triggering factor for papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
The standard manifestation of the papilloma virus in such a situation is the appearance of condyloma on the genitals.Against the background of disturbances in the microflora of the vagina and intestines, a deterioration in immunity indicators is observed.The immune system of people with HIV is severely impaired.
The papilloma virus is activated under the following conditions:
- the presence of dysbiosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute stage of a chronic disease;
- Poor working conditions;
- hypothermia;
- Congenital immunodeficiency;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- Stressful conditions;
- Poor diet.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.It may take several years after infection for symptoms to appear, which increase during a period of weakened immunity.
Paths of transmission of papillomas
The papilloma virus is transmitted through household contact:
- By shaking hands;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When trying on someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
- When visiting public baths, saunas.
The sexual route of infection is particularly dangerous, as the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.Those most at risk are people who have many sexual partners.
This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual relationships, since during such sexual intercourse there is a high probability of injury to the skin and mucous membranes.
The likelihood of mutual transmission of the virus during sexual intercourse also increases if the partner has genital warts - these are easy to injure and very contagious.
The human papillomavirus can be transmitted to the fetus in women who are expecting a child.This occurs in rare cases during pregnancy;Usually the child becomes infected while passing through the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is inherited from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease on the genitals.
Infection of children at birth is accompanied by laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by severe impairment of respiratory function.
There is also the possibility of infection when breastfeeding.
The papilloma virus causes changes in cells, causing them to divide, leading to the development of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts most often appear on the fingers, elbows and knees.
These are non-cancerous structures that feel dense and can vary in color from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
In old age, HPV manifests itself through the formation of papillomas.They are soft and attached to the skin with a stalk.Their color usually corresponds to the skin color, but sometimes they can also be dark brown.
Most often, papillomas are located on the following parts of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, neoplasms can occur on any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the condition of the urethra, causing difficulty in urination and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the external genitals.Sometimes they can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
The human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina, and anus.
If you look at photos of people with HPV, you can see how much neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger is their possible degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are discovered, they conduct studies to determine their oncogenicity and remove them.Photo: Growths on the mucous membrane of the tongue
Which HPV types are the most dangerous?
Even if you know how the human papilloma virus is transmitted, you cannot always avoid infection.However, you should not panic if you are diagnosed with this condition.
First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of those infected were diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by a low carcinogenic risk.
The most dangerous strains are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of papilloma virus in women
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus often develops against the background of inflammation of the genitals.
These can be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudoerosion of the cervix.It is often combined with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis and herpes.The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
- itching and burning in the genitals;
- specific secretions;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant feeling during sexual intercourse;
- Proliferation and fusion of condylomata on the genitals.
Genital warts can occur on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum, and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unsightly, but also cause discomfort: pain, itching and possibly bleeding.
Detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a cancerous process.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is made through tests and laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR;colposcopy;Biopsy.An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
It allows you to obtain an analysis for each type of virus and determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, specialists can detect the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You have to prepare for the tests.
The patient should not engage in sexual activity, drink alcohol, or take antiviral medications for several days.
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with an acetic acid solution, due to which papillomas become visible and clearly visible.
A biopsy involves removing an area of affected tissue for examination.This material is then colored and examined.Biopsy is a highly precise research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with medication.Therefore, today the only treatment option is the removal of papillomas.
Medications are only prescribed as maintenance therapy.
Direct removal can be done in several ways:
- electrocoagulation;
- Laser;
- Radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method uses high-frequency current.After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off on its own after a few days.
The method is used to remove tumors on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but has a number of disadvantages.
Firstly, a removed papilloma cannot be examined.Secondly, scars may form at the donor site.
The most modern is the radio wave process.
This is a safe and painless method that leaves no marks on the body.
The cryodestruction method of removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.The tissue areas to be removed are shock frozen.
In this case, slight discomfort may occur.The entire area of dead skin is sloughed off 2-6 weeks after treatment.
Prevention
Given the spread of the virus, I want to find out not only whether papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive measure, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with common, highly oncogenic types of HPV.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.As a rule, it is recommended to be carried out between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that the vaccine can inactivate the virus and increase immunity even after it has already entered the body.
Methods of nonspecific prevention include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is damaged, it must be treated;
- You must not use other people's personal care products;
- the use of rubber slippers is recommended in public saunas;
- A disease should not be allowed to progress to a chronic stage.
- relationship with a regular sexual partner;using a condom;
- hardening and moderate physical activity;
- proper and regular nutrition.
Following these simple rules will help significantly reduce the risk of infection with the papilloma virus and protect your body from its invasion.