Many infections do not cause symptoms in healthy people.The immune system removes the activity of the virus, following which a person becomes a carrier of infection.At the same time, the transmission of pathogens of other people even occurs with a complete clinical well, because the viral particles are contained in the patient's biological fluids.The hidden course of the infection may be the main cause of a significant propagation of the disease: patients do not undergo exams in a timely manner and continue to infect others unconsciously.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) can be called an excellent example of a hidden infectious agent.Most people are infected with at least one type of HPV throughout life, but the clinical manifestations of the disease do not occur in all cases.Doctors attribute an increased risk of forming a malignant tumor to complications distant from infection.In addition, patients with immunodeficiency often have such a negative consequence of the disease.Subject drugs help remove symptoms from HPV infection.Vaccination in a timely manner is also recommended.
Learn more about the disease
The human papilloma virus is the pathogen of the infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes of the organs.The main manifestation of the disease is the growth of neoplasms in the person's field, the genitals of the oral cavity and the throat.In some cases, pointed papillomas are formed in non -specific places, such as the skin of the lower and upper limbs.The location of warts depends on the type of HPV.In most people, infection leads to hidden transport of infection, however, with a decrease in immunity, the virus begins to show its virulence.In some cases, immunocompetent cells independently destroy the pathogen in the 3-6 months following his invasion of the body.
HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease.Such an indicator can be explained by the high virulence of the virus and the asymptomatic flow of pathology in most people.The use of condoms does not always avoid infection, so that the patient can continue to spread the virus even with protected sexual contacts.At the same time, experts have developed effective vaccines that prevent the development of an oncogenic HPV form.Immunization is shown to girls in adolescence, as protection against the virus must be instilled before the first sexual contact.
Virus characteristics
The human papilloma virus is a pathogen containing DNA.Unlike bacteria and other microorganisms, viruses can only show their activity after having introduced their own genetic information into the core.After that, the affected cell begins to synthesize the proteins necessary for the assembly of viral particles.Almost all representatives of the Papillomavirus family attack only one type of organism, and the infection by HPV can only occur in humans.
Scientists know more than 600 strains (types) of the human papilloma virus, which are distinguished by genetic information.40 types of HPV are caused by various forms of damage to mucous membranes and skin.At the same time, the classification of the degree of strains oncogenicity is of significant clinical importance.Thus, cervical cancer in women in women most often occurs with the invasion of HPV 16 and 18. These infectious agents are not always manifested by skin changes.
The HPV strikes in the basal layer of the epithelium.Pathogen can exist in the form of an episome which is not associated with cellular DNA, or an integrated form associated with cell genome.It is the integrated virus produces the necessary proteins and causes clinical manifestations of the disease.The life of HPV in the body is not a direct cause of malignant tissue degeneration, however, the porting of the virus increases the danger of cancer risk factors.
Infection methods
The virus is found in basal epithelial cells, so that any microtrauma of the skin and mucous membranes increases the risk of infection.In most cases, HPV is transmitted with vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact.The condom can only be fixed by the part of the surface of the skin, however, viral particles can always penetrate the body through other covers.The presence of genital warts predisposed to the transmission of pathogen, but the external intact skin of the carrier of the disease is also a source of HPV.
Other transmission paths
- Child infection during childbirth.Children most often occur defeats of the respiratory tract
- Independent transfer of the virus from one body part to another
- The general use of personal hygiene items, including razors, toothbrushes and towels
- Blood transfusion.Recent studies have confirmed the possibility of a transfusion infection.
- Surgical interventions under non -sterile conditions
Despite the various causes of the viral invasion, only the sexual way of the infection by HPV is clinical.Other sources of infection are characterized by a low risk of pathogen.
Risk factors
In addition to direct means of transmitting HPV, it is also necessary to take into account the role of risk factors.We are talking about the characteristics of a human life style and certain physical states.
Key infection risk factors
- A large number of sexual partners.Even with a sure sex, an active sex life leads sooner or later leads to an infection.
- Age.Genital warts in most cases are detected in adolescents and young patients, while the condylomas of the oral cavity and the respiratory system are characteristic of children.
- Weakened immune system.Patients with HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency are a high risk of viral invasion.In addition, HPV manifests itself more often symptomatically after transplantation of the organs.
- Damage to the skin and mucous membranes.Microtraumas facilitate the penetration of the virus into the basal layer of the epithelium.
- Smoking and alcoholism.Bad habits weaken the activity of immunity.
- Venat infections.
In addition, pregnant women are included in the risk of infection.It should be remembered that the elimination of factors of predisposition to the disease is an effective preventive tactic.
Clinical current
The incubation period preceding the symptomatic manifestations of the disease may last several months or not.In immunocompetent patients, the body can destroy the infection during this period, but the spontaneous elimination of the pathogen does not always occur.A person can be infected simultaneously by several strains of the virus.Signs of HPV infection occur when exposed to unfavorable factors weakening the immune protection of tissues.Due to the recurring course, condylomas disappear periodically and form again.The oncological complications of infections can develop for several decades.
Possible consequences of the disease:
- Cervical carcinoma - Malin neoplasm of the epithelial fabric.This type of oncology is only associated with human papillom virus.With a timely vaccination, the risk of oncogenesis decreases.
- Anal hole plant cell carcinoma.Such a complication can occur in men and women.The first symptoms of anus cancer include skin bleeding and itching.
- Violation of the urination due to the obstruction of the urethra by the condyloma.
- Malignant renaissance of warts in the throat and the oral cavity.
College cancer is one of the most common causes of the death of women.Since this disease is associated with a viral invasion, regular examinations undergoing a gynecologist are necessary.Modern vaccines protect women from the most oncogenic types of HPV.
Diagnosis
Gynecologists, urologists, veneologists and dermatologists are engaged in the exam by Condil.During the initial appointment, the doctor will question complaints to the patient, collect anamnestic data and make an inspection of skin training.As a rule, HPV manifestations are easily identified, however, other diseases should be excluded.For this, the specialist will prescribe instrumental and laboratory research.
The necessary diagnostic methods:
- Instrumental examination of the vagina and the pass (colposcopy).Such a study is necessarily carried out for screening for cervical carcinoma.During examination, the doctor can detect several papillos and epithelial dysplasia areas.
- Biopsy - Obtaining tissue materials in the skin of the skin or mucous changes.A cytological study of the sample allows you to identify malignant cells.
- Chain reaction by polymerase - detection of HPV viral particles in the body.The realization of this test gives the doctor the possibility of determining the pathogenic strain and the viral load.
- The Digène test is a high precision detection of the DNA of the oncogenic strains of the human papillom virus.The study is used as reliable screening.
Drugs
Preparations developed against HPV infection can only eliminate symptoms of the disease and prevent tissue malformations.Complete elimination of the virus using drug treatment is impossible.Oral and topical agents are prescribed in the event of high risk of oncogenesis, immunodeficiency and other unfavorable conditions.If the virus does not manifest itself with external changes, generally general preventive measures.
Possible appointment
- Salicylic acid to eliminate warts.It is not used to treat the skin of the face and the genitals.
- Creams and ointments containing immunomodulating agents.
- Podofilo - A ointment with a cytostatic effect.The application of the drug on affected skin leads to the destruction of pathogenic elements.
- Trichloroxic acid for chemical cauterization of general and genital warts.It can cause a local section.
The drugs listed should only be used under medical control.After having removed the warts, the infection by the HPV can be manifested again and even spread to other areas.
Surgical treatment
The doctor can offer patients surgical methods and little invasive to eliminate warts.As a rule, these methods do not cause complications, but in the first days that followed the intervention, fabric bleeding may occur.
Types of intervention:
- Ordinary surgical excision;
- freezing with liquid nitrogen followed by the destruction of affected tissues;
- electric coagulation;
- Withdrawal of papillomas with a laser.;
- Using a "knife" radio wave.
All procedures are carried out under local anesthesia.The specialist will select the safest method for the treatment of Condyl.
Forecast
The evolution of papillomavirus infection depends on the patient's immune state and a specific viral strain.About 30% of the population has spontaneous elimination from the pathogen caused by active immunity.Symptomatically, the disease is often manifested in pregnant women, children, the elderly and patients with immunodeficiency.
HPV infection is characterized by a recurring course.The papillomas formed can gradually disappear or spread to the neighboring skin.The oncogenic strains of the virus most often affect the mucosa of the cervix, and the resulting epithelial dysplasia improves the effect of the risk factors for malignant tissue degeneration, such as smoking and the use of oral contraceptives.The tumor can form 10 to 20 years after the invasion of the virus in the body.
Prevention
The most reliable prevention method is early vaccination.The Gardasil vaccine, containing viral proteins and auxiliary components, is effective against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 types. If vaccination is carried out at an early age until the first sexual contact, the risk of subsequent development of cervical cancer in a woman does not exceed 1%.
Additional prevention:
- use of condoms;
- Sex only with trust partners;
- in -depth personal hygiene;
- Gynecological examination at least once a year.