Papilloma is a viral disease characterized by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Certain types of tumors pose serious dangers to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to understand how papillomas are spread and follow simple prevention rules.
Human papillomavirus is part of a group of viruses that belong to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, and more than 170 types.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups of viruses.Approximately 60% of the world's population are carriers.
The danger lies not only in the question of whether the virus is contagious, but also in the fact that an infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered their body.
Papillomaviruses survive and actively multiply in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they can spread from one organism to another.
It has been shown that viruses can develop briefly in the external environment, but typically their entire life cycle occurs within the cell.
Most types of viruses are not dangerous to human health, but some types have carcinogenic properties that may lead to the development of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
Safety(If we consider the possibility of cancer).
They occur without obvious symptoms and are not dangerous to the human body;
low risk- Genital warts appear in 90% of cases when they enter the body.Cellular mutations may be observed in individual cases; high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can contribute to the development of cervical cancer and cause cell degeneration into atypical cells.
Some viruses can be spread from person to person, but there are also types that are found in birds and animals but do not pose a risk to humans.
Given the prevalence of the virus, it is important to understand how papilloma spreads.HPV can be transmitted through contact or vertically (from mother to fetus during pregnancy).
Contact informationIncludes exposure to family and sexual pathways.Can viruses be transmitted through kissing?This may also occur if the infected person has genital warts in the mouth caused by HPV.
The fetus may become infected through a damaged placenta.Laboratory studies reveal the possibility of infection caused by poisoning.
Papillomavirus can be spread through sexual and household contact.In the latter case, ordinary communication with human carriers does not always lead to infection.
One of the situations in which the likelihood of infection significantly increases is when the barrier function of the mucous membranes and skin is violated.
The risk of infection is high when there are scratches, cuts, cuts, and abrasions on the skin.Due to decreased systemic and local immunity, the body's defense response worsens.
Due to 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 infections can serve as causative factors for papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
In this case, the standard manifestation of papillomavirus is the development of genital warts on the genitals.Deterioration of immune markers was observed in the context of vaginal and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis.The immune systems of people living with HIV are severely affected.
Papillomavirus is activated under the following conditions:
- Presence of dysbiosis and infectious intestinal diseases;
- the acute phase of any chronic disease;
- poor working conditions;
- low temperature;
- congenital immunodeficiency diseases;
- Acute phases of communicable and non-communicable diseases;
- stressful situations;
- Malnutrition.
The course of HPV disease is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, it can take years for symptoms to appear and become more pronounced during periods of weakened immunity.
How papilloma spreads
Papillomavirus is spread through household contact:
- by shaking hands;
- through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When trying on other people’s clothes (never wear other people’s underwear);
- When visiting public baths and saunas.
The sexual route of infection is particularly dangerous because of the high risk of infection with cancer-causing subtypes of the virus.People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual relations, since the likelihood of injury to the skin and mucous membranes during such sexual intercourse is high.
Additionally, if a partner has genital warts, the likelihood of transmitting the virus to each other during sex increases—genital warts can easily injure and are highly contagious.
Human papillomavirus in a pregnant woman may be transmitted to her fetus.It's rare for this to happen during pregnancy; usually, the baby becomes infected as it passes through the birth canal.
It is important to note that the virus is inherited from mother to child only when there are external manifestations of the disease in the genitals.
Children are born infected with laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by severe impairment of respiratory function.
Infection is also possible during breastfeeding.
Papillomaviruses cause changes in cells that cause them to divide, leading to the appearance of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts most commonly appear on the fingers, elbows, and knees.
These are noncancerous formations that are dense to the touch and range in color from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
In older age, HPV manifests itself through the formation of papillomas.They are soft and adhere to the skin by stems.Generally, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes they can be dark brown.
Most commonly, papillomas are found in the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, tumors can occur anywhere on the penis.
Sometimes the presence of the virus can affect the condition of the urinary tract, causing difficulty and pain during urination.
When the virus enters a woman's body, tumors appear on the mucosa of the external genitalia.Sometimes they can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina, and anus.
Looking at pictures of people with HPV, you can see how damaging the tumors can be to appearance, although the main danger is that they can degenerate into malignant tumors.
Doctors recommend that when a papilloma is detected, they conduct studies to determine its carcinogenicity and remove it.Photo: Growths on the mucosa of the tongue
Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?
Even those who know how human papillomavirus is spread cannot always avoid infection.However, if you are diagnosed with this condition, you do not need to panic.
First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of which are safe for humans.90% of infected people are diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which have a low risk of cancer.
The most dangerous strains are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of female papillomavirus
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus usually arises against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals.
These may be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, cervical pseudoerosion.Often combined with chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes and other diseases.The main symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women include:
- Itching and burning sensation in the genitals;
- specific secretions;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Unpleasant sensations during intercourse;
- Proliferation and fusion of genital warts.
Genital warts can occur on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum, and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unsightly, they can also cause discomfort: pain, itching, and possibly bleeding.
The detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a carcinogenic process.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by taking tests and performing laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR; colposcopy; biopsy.An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
It allows you to obtain analysis results for each virus and determine the number of DNA copies in the study material.
Due to the accuracy of this method, experts can determine the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You need to be prepared for the test.
Patients should not engage in sexual activity, drink alcohol, or take antiviral medications for several days.
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with an acetic acid solution, the papillomas are revealed, and they become clearly visible.
During a biopsy, the affected tissue area is examined.The material was then stained and inspected.Biopsy is a highly accurate research method that can be used in conjunction with histology and cytology.
treat
Unfortunately, it’s not yet clear how to treat HPV with medications.Therefore, the only treatment option today is to remove the papilloma.
Medications are used only as maintenance treatment.
You can use the following methods for direct deletion:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high-frequency electrical current.When it is used to treat papillomas, a scab will form that will fall off on its own after a few days.
This method is used to remove tumors located in the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but it has many disadvantages.
First, resected papillomas cannot be examined.Second, scarring may form at the removal site.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
This is a safe, painless method that leaves no traces on the body after the procedure.
The cryodestructive method of papilloma removal is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.The area of tissue that needs to be removed is snap frozen.
In this case, mild discomfort may occur.The entire area of dead skin will slough off 2-6 weeks after treatment.
prevention
Aware of the viral epidemic, I wondered not only if papillomas were contagious, but also what steps could be taken to avoid infection.
As a preventive method, special vaccines are available to reduce the risk of infection with common, highly carcinogenic HPV types.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.Generally, it is recommended between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can inactivate it and improve immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and correct lifestyle:
- If skin integrity is compromised, treatment is necessary;
- Do not use other people’s personal hygiene products;
- It is recommended to use rubber slippers in public saunas;
- No disease should progress to a chronic stage;
- Relationships with regular sexual partners; condom use;
- Hardening and moderate physical activity;
- Proper and regular nutrition.
Following these simple rules will help significantly reduce the risk of papillomavirus infection and protect your body from its penetration.