HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases of the 21st century. It is easy to pick up and impossible to cure. Sounds scary? We answer the most popular questions about this infection in our content!
What kind of virus is this? New?
HPV is actually as old as the world. It is the cause of the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin forms.
These viruses were combined into one group in 1971. The number of detected HPV types is around 600. There may be many more. The only crucial difference between these strains is that some of them have low onco risk, others are at high onco risk. In modern medical practice it is not customary to examine whether there are 600 species, the main thing is to find out whether an individual is a carrier of 16 strains, of which 14 are the causes of cancer: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68. The remaining ones - 6 and 11 - are responsible for the formation of genital warts, which also need to be treated. The virus is especially dangerous for women as it can cause cervical cancer. However, men are also at risk: genital cancer often develops from the destructive effects of HPV inside the cells.
How is it sent?
Sex and home ways. And yet libido is the most common. The probability of a woman becoming infected during the first years of sex is more than 50%. The safest way to avoid getting HPV is to avoid free unprotected sex and use a condom. But even the condom does not provide one hundred percent protection as HPV is transmitted through mucosal contact: through kissing, contact during play and oral sex.
The likelihood of a positive decline in the number of sexual partners: the more active you are sexually active, the more likely you are to get HPV. Home exchange is also possible: when you use someone else's towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, chances are you have it too. Men with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on both the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice a strange growth in your skin, let your boyfriend know immediately and take the appropriate test.
How do I know if I have HPV?
The easiest way is to treat gynecology due to HPV and cell physics. As we have already mentioned, only 16 strains of the virus are examined. It is possible to suspect that you have a 6th or 11th strain without a test: If you or your partner have papillomas or genital warts, it is most likely that you are a papillomavirus carrier, and the tests confirm this.
In the case of viruses that are at high carcinogenic risk, they do not appear and it is difficult to visually determine their presence in the body - cytology analysis, cervical colposcopy and HPV tests are necessary. Due to asymptomatic diseases, high carcinogenic strains are particularly dangerous for women who do not undergo an annual PAP test (cytological diagnosis) by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic and during this time HPV is incorporated into the cell and changes its structure and turns it into malignancy. Malignant cells help to determine the cytological diagnosis, which is taken at a routine examination by a gynecologist once every six months or year. By the way, it is better to miss them, especially those with HPV.
If I have HPV, do I have cancer?
Do not drive your horses. As we have already said, over 80% of women on earth have the time of their lifetime to get HPV. Obviously, not everyone has developed cervical cancer. It takes a long time from HPV infection to the development of premature infants. Get an annual gynecological exam, get it done on time, and your doctor will detect the presence of HPV and the first malignant cell changes long before cancer.
Even if you have detected one or even some of the 14 very abnormal types of the virus, cytotoxic analysis does not necessarily indicate the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, with good immunity, cells with signs of malignancy are rarely found in the PAP test, so exhale, calm down and read on.
Is HPV being treated?
"If HPV is so dangerous, it needs to be treated urgently! " - perhaps this thought flashed through my head. Unfortunately, to date, drugs have not found any way or drug to help get rid of HPV once and for all. However, with immunosuppressive therapy and the right lifestyle, you can achieve long-term relief and stop the destructive effects of the virus.
HPV therapy must be comprehensive. In the presence of genital warts and genital warts, they must be removed by one of the following methods: surgery, radiotherapy, laser or herbicide removal.
Can not remove warts?
No, you can not: the virus concentrates and lives in these tumors, which means that subsequent treatment will be less. In addition, you hardly want to leave them: It is possible that unpleasant feelings may occur during sex, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect has a negative effect on your self-esteem, self-confidence and, accordingly, on your relationship with your partner.
Can they get through on their own?
But this scenario is very possible: strengthen the immune system, a healthy lifestyle, give up on bad habits and daily use of topical antiviral drugs (ointments or sprays) - the complexity of these actions can cause warts to disappear.
This is good news though: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it eliminates on its own and loses an unequal battle with strong immunity. This happens within two years of infection and in a young, strong organism, of course, the process goes faster.
Is it possible to be re-infected by a sexual partner?
How! And condylomas that you removed earlier may also reappear. If your husband is infected and he has external symptoms of the virus - genital warts - there is a high chance that he will get it again. Both partners must treat all sexually transmitted infections without exception: use barrier methods to protect, remove HPV tumors, maintain strong immunity, and perform appropriate treatment.
If you have found HPV, do not hide it from your partner. He may not need complex treatment, but immunosuppressive therapy will only be helpful.
If you suspect HPV, we advise you not to panic and contact a specialist - gynecologist.