The most common infection that affects almost 90% of people on earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. Having found a papilloma in oneself, no one sounds the alarm, because among the people it is considered to be ordinary warts. Get rid of them only if they interfere or carry 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 baby. The disease can manifest itself on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of warts, papillomas or condylomas. Let's figure out what HPV is and how dangerous it is 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, scratches, and small cuts on the skin. It may not show itself in any way throughout the life of the carrier, or it may constantly show itself in all its glory. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to several years. The signal for action is the weakening of the immune system. If papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes, then 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 the development of warts in the body.
- HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4 cause the formation of plantar warts or corns;
- 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 - also develop warts.
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 over the past few years, doctors have been sounding the alarm and trying to educate the public about the HPV disease? Because the percentage of cancer patients who have been diagnosed with this virus is seriously increasing. 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 the internal health of a person, but their manifestations in the form of papillomas and warts that have grown cause discomfort. They are classified as low oncogenicity - minimal risk of developing cancer. Such formations are easily removed by folk methods or aesthetic medicine. But the virus itself is not treated by any means and medicines. If a person becomes infected, then he is a virus carrier all his 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:
- Low cancer risk HPV: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- HPV of medium oncological 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 (corns) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Flat warts 3, 10, 28, 49
- Warts Butcher 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) may be precancerous62, 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 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 different, here are some types:
common warts
The most common form of HPV is warts. Almost every person can find on his body a similar papule with a diameter of no more than 5-7 mm. Usually warts are located on the outside of the palm, between the fingers, on the soles of the feet, on the chin, eyelids and scalp. Warts can grow in size and also form colonies from the maternal papule. Then 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, which causes severe pain. Such growths are recommended to be removed surgically in clinics. Simple warts are not a threat to human health, they almost never develop into oncological tumors.
Butcher's warts
Butcher's warts look like multiple thick threads sticking out of a single growth. Most often found on the fingers, especially in places of cuts. Long filiform papules bring inconvenience to their owner, as these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They may bleed when struck or scraped. Although in the oncological sense, such warts are safe, but their damage will entail trouble. The recommendation of doctors is to remove it without fail.
flat warts
Flat warts are also called "adolescent warts" because they often appear during adolescence. They look like a dry grouped large rash on the skin. Cover the forehead, cheeks, chin, forearms. The color may not differ from the skin or be slightly darker.
Butcher's warts
Butcher's warts are scarred warty growths of the color of normal skin. They can be both single and as clusters of several pieces. The name of these wart growths was given by the professional activities 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 you need to consult a specialist. It is transmitted by heredity, 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 develop 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 less undesirable. Surgery is necessary for both 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, redness of 5 mm in size is formed, which grows and becomes covered with crusts. 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 the immune defense 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. The growths must be removed, since during friction it is possible to injure them and cause an infection.
Papillomas in the oropharynx
The 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 papilloma while eating, which in turn can lead to cancer. Since a malignant tumor cannot be distinguished from a benign one, it is necessary to take tests before removing the plaques.
Blooming 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 breathing.
Treatment Methods
Methods of getting rid of papilloma infection today do not exist. Therefore, treatment is reduced to the removal of external formations and suppression of the virus in the patient's body. There are cases when some types of the virus died on their own in the body for several years. Which 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 out) 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 the wart / papilloma using the Surgitron apparatus.
Chemical treatments:
- cauterization with salicylic acid;
- processing education trichloroacetic acid 50-90% concentration;
- a mixture of acids - treatment with an education preparation (efficiency is very low).
To activate the immune system and suppress HPV, the therapy must include drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
Disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid getting the HPV virus, since it can be infected in a bathhouse, swimming pool, when using common household items, in a hospital. But these strains are mild and do not cause cancer. Prevention usually comes down to personal hygiene, quick treatment of cuts and injuries with antibacterial agents, and the use of protective equipment during work.
Particular attention should be paid to the prevention of the sexually transmitted virus. Protecting your body with condoms is unlikely to succeed. 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 the onset of sexual activity at the age of 11-13 years. Immunity lasts from 3-5 to 10 years and it depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Then the vaccination can be repeated if there is a risk of infection (change of sexual partners).
HPV of high oncogenic risk can indeed cause changes in 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!