Detailed characterization of human papilloma virus

At the beginning of the last century, the human papilloma virus was mentioned as the cause of the appearance of warts. However, it was later revealed that it can trigger the development of genital cancer in both sex and throat and rectal carcinoma. Depending on the spectrum of clinical symptoms, doctors were able to isolate different types of HPV and combine them into a particular system.

Everything You Need To Know About Human Papilloma Virus

More and more people are wondering: HPV infection - what is it? This abbreviation refers to a group of viruses that are common and heterogeneous in their DNA structures and can infect skin and mucous membranes. Infection with this substance has been going on for a long time. Therefore, warts and warts of the anogenital area have been known even earlier since the time of the Greeks and Romans. The PCR method even managed to isolate type 18 HPV DNA from Mary of Aragon's mummy (XVI century). And only at the beginning of the XXI century it became possible to influence the spread of a disease-causing agent.

Classification Principles

There are various opinions regarding the number of

HPV types. The group was officially determined to contain more than 170 strains. They form 5 genera, with about 130 agents described and studied in detail. But scientists already know about 600 species found in humans.

HPV as a single species was first recorded in 1971. To date, knowledge on this subject has been greatly enriched, which serves as the impetus for the creation of a classification that reflects not only the species, but also the genus to which the species belongs. In practice, this is of great importance as it helps to determine the clinical signs and the course of the infection.

Virus types are detected according to the following criteria:

• transmission method;
• targets (skin or mucous membranes);
developed as a result of infection
• diseases;
• degree of oncogenicity.

Classification according to the degree of carcinogenicity is required to avoid consequences associated with the development of oncological processes.

HPV types:

• low risk - strains 6, 12, 14, 42-44;
• medium risk - strains 31, 35, 51;
• high risk - 16, 18, 45, 56, 58, 59.

This classification allows you to visually assess the degree of risk and develop an appropriate treatment strategy.

Most dangerous species

It has been proven that HPV can trigger the overgrowth of the dermis and cause the formation of benign formations, each of which appear as warts, papillomas, verukiform dysplasia, in the face, neck, back, abdomen. However, the highly oncogenic pathogen in the overwhelming majority of cases causes the development of oncology in both men and women. The virus is transmitted primarily through sexual contact, and barrier contraceptives cannot provide 100% protection against its penetration.

The following strains are considered the most dangerous:

• Condylomatosis (appearance of spikes) - 6, 42.
• Small flat formations formed on the walls of the vagina and cervical canal - 30, 33, 42, 43, 55, 57, 64, 67.
• Cervical carcinoma - 31, 35, 39, 54, 66. HPV types 16 and 18 are considered the most dangerous.

Important to know!Even after determining the virus type, you should not panic, as the most malicious strains may be "dormant" for a long time. Therefore, it can take decades from infection to the development of cervical cancer.

The virus enters the body

The

Papilloma virus is considered highly contagious, each type of which can be transmitted through a specific method.

The main options for the pathogen to enter the body of the "victim" are as follows:

1. Sexual contact with the virus carrier. The most common method of infection. Danger is represented by both traditional and other types of sexual intercourse. Since the pathogen is much smaller than the condom's pore diameter, the contraceptive cannot provide 100% protection.
2. Vertical type of infection is the transmission of the virus from mother to child at birth. A non-cellular agent can cause laryngeal papillomatosis, i. e. growth of the larynx and oral mucosa, less often the reproductive organs, in a newborn baby.
3. Contact and domestic contamination are also considered common. Some strains are remarkable for their vitality, so they can maintain their activity in a humid environment. When visiting saunas, swimming pools, baths, sharing personal hygiene items, the risk of infection increases, especially if there is invisible micro damage to the skin.
4. Automatic inoculation or self-infection can occur when a live virus cell is accidentally transferred from a damaged area to healthy parts of the skin during shaving, epilation and simply not following hygiene rules.

Important to know!The agent that causes high carcinogenic risk is transmitted mainly through sexual contact, and barrier contraceptives do not guarantee complete protection against infection. This is due not only to the small size of the virus, but also to its localization on the surface of the dermis, which is not covered with a condom.

Causes of papillomatosis progression

Regardless of the degree of oncogenicity, HPV is characterized by insidiousness, that is, it can survive in the human body without any manifestation. Depending on the state of the immune system, the incubation period can last from 2-3 weeks to several decades. Therefore, people without external symptoms are not even aware of the presence of an infectious agent in their body.

Rapid breeding also does not start immediately, but only under favorable conditions, ie the weakening of the defense mechanism, which occurs against the background of the following factors:

• stress, overwork;
• poor and monotonous food;
• hormonal imbalance;
• bad habits - tobacco smoking and alcohol addiction;
• frequent miscarriages, postpartum complications;
• inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
• STIs including AIDS, HIV, herpes;
• chronic diseases in the acute period;
• gestation period.

The

risk group consists mainly of the fairer sex. The likelihood of infection increases in sexually active people of reproductive age between 20 and 45 years.

Symptoms at different stages

Human papilloma virus infection can be overt or latent or subclinical. Symptomatic manifestations of the disease are variable, depending on the type of HPV, its danger. The hidden course of the disease is characterized by the absence of symptoms.

External signs:

• papillomas;
• flat and coarse warts;
• genital warts.

Forms not visible during external review:

• diseratosis;
• colocytosis;
• epithelial dysplasia.

Against the background of the papilloma virus, relapses appear as the following pathologies:

with mild epithelial changes
• dyskeratosis;
• dysplasia itself;
• cancerous tumor;
• squamous cell carcinoma.

It's important to know!In the case of a non-oncogenic virus, localized warts on the palms and soles are possible. In the absence of cosmetic discomfort, there is no indication for removal.

During a flare-up, a woman develops fever, chills, itching, fever, vaginal discharge.

More about the results

The type and severity of HPV infection is determined by the activity and type of the pathogen. When the genotype is affected by a high oncogenic risk, prolonged replication contributes to an increase in the number of cellular structures that are a genome mutation.

Against the background of bacterial vaginosis, the transformation of the cervical epithelium and a number of other pathological processes occurring in the body, a precancerous stage or the risk of developing a malignant tumor increases.

The second includes the following cases.

1. Cervical cancer. Second disease after breast cancer in women. More than 70% of all cases are due to the activity of HPV types 16 and 18.
2. Vaginal and vulvar carcinoma. It occupies a leading place in the structure of oncopathologies of the anogenital area. Every tenth case is triggered by a low oncogenic strain 6 or 11, and a third of all diseases are caused by a virus 16 and 18.
3. Anal cancer. It is detected mainly in women, but is also recorded in homosexual men who practice an unconventional method of intercourse, although doctors do not rule out another route of transmission. The cause of oncopathology is the activity of HPV types 18 and 16.

Of course, this is not a decision, but in connection with these data, the need for comprehensive gynecological and cancer diagnosis is growing. A thorough examination allows early detection of structural changes in cells and tissues that help determine how to properly treat in the case of human papillomavirus.

Diagnostic procedures

As mentioned earlier, diagnostic measures play an important role in defeating the body with HPV infection.

Modern review is performed with great care and includes several procedures:

1. The initial consultation includes a visual examination to identify external signs (warts, papillomas). If growths are found in the urogenital area, the doctor will refer the patient for an additional cervical examination or ureteroscopy.
2. PAP test or Pap smear cytology. Based on the results divided into classes, the doctor determines the risks of the infectious process. So 1 and 2 degrees indicate the normal tissue state, 3 - about the onset of pathological changes, classes 4 and 5 characterize the presence of oncogenic cells.
3. Colposcopy. It is performed in case of dysplastic changes in the tissues of the cervix. Acetic acid test is prescribed to clarify the activity of the papilloma virus. A positive result appears as a mosaic pattern on the epithelial surface.
4. Histology. Examination of a sample of the affected tissue is performed if it is necessary to examine the cells and the pathological changes that occur in them. During the procedure, you can identify particularly large-sized epithelial structures.
5. PCR. The most common and highly informative test. With the help of the polymerase chain reaction, it is possible to type, determine the degree of oncogenicity and the maximum concentration in the blood.
6. Digene test. The modern innovative research method makes it possible to clarify the current results and determine the probability of occurrence of oncological education.

The same diagnostic tactics are used for men. It is sent for tests after a visual inspection. Only based on the results of the examination, the specialist can assess the complexity of the clinical case and recommend adequate treatment.

Treatment Approaches

There is no medicine today that can completely and permanently eradicate a viral infection in the body. If self-healing has not occurred, then it is an integrated unified approach that is most promising. Treatment of HPV involves the surgical removal of papillomas or warts against the background of systemic treatment with medications, homeopathic remedies and the folk method. There are several options for eliminating the growths.

Radiosurgery. The formation is excised with a special knife, followed by coagulation and a bandage.

Laser. It's a bloodless and painless way. A crust remains where the healing process takes place. The disadvantage is that scars appear.

Electrocoagulation. The procedure is largely similar to the previous two in terms of efficiency, cost and effective effect.

Cryodestruction. Processing of all types of growth with liquid nitrogen. It is rejected by the skin after it has been frozen. Affordable price, absence of blood, scarring make this method most attractive.

Surgical excision. It is extremely rare, according to indications only if the possibility of developing oncology is suspected. The growths are cut with a scalpel.

Systemic treatment of the papilloma virus helps to strengthen the immune system, reduce the DNA concentration of the agent in the blood and prevent the development of malignant processes.

Prescribes pills for this purpose:

• immunomodulators;
• antiviral agents;
• cytostatics.

The treatment period is 10-14 days. If you have a permanent sexual partner, you must persuade him to undergo an examination and start therapy. Also, you shouldn't get rid of the growths yourself.

Preventive measures

Because the human papillomavirus is easily spread among people of all ages, there is no guaranteed way to protect against its penetration. As the patient reviews prove, vaccination is a reliable option for preventing infection.

Modern medicine offers special serums as a preventive measure. Medicines are produced in suspension form, in single-use syringes, which facilitates vaccine administration and minimizes the risk of infection. Boys and girls aged 9-14 and young women up to the age of 26 are subject to vaccination. Serums are well tolerated by the body.

Vaccination is done for prophylactic purposes and does not act as a medicine.

To minimize the risk of developing an infection, you should follow simple recommendations.

• carefully monitor personal hygiene;
• get rid of bad habits;
• strengthens immunity by doing sports;
• only have protected sex, avoid casual relationships;
• carefully approaches sexual partner selection;
• will be screened by a gynecologist, a venereal doctor.

Taking your health seriously will help you avoid infection, and if a virus enters, you are less likely to spread.

Result

HPV is the most common infection that no one can protect. Preventive measures should be followed to prevent the activation of the virus, and scheduled examinations and experts consulted in a timely manner to reduce the risk of developing oncology.