Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Some types of neoplasms pose a serious danger to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you need to know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple rules of prevention.
Human papillomavirus is one of a group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 types.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups.Around 60% of the world's population carries it.
The danger lies not only in the question “is the virus contagious”, but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered their body.
Papillomaviruses live and actively reproduce in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they are capable of spreading from one organism to another.
It has been proven that the virus can grow for a short time in the external environment, but its entire life cycle usually takes place inside the cell.
Most types of viruses are not dangerous for human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the appearance of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
Safe(if we consider the probability of developing cancer).
They occur without pronounced symptoms and are not dangerous for the human body;
Low risk- when they enter the body, genital warts occur in 90% of cases.Cellular mutations may be seen in isolated cases;high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and cause cells to degenerate into atypical cells.
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the bodies of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the prevalence of the virus, it is necessary to know how papilloma is transmitted.HPV can be transmitted by contact or vertical method (from mother to fetus during pregnancy).
Contactincludes household contact and sexual routes.Can you contract a virus from a kiss?This is also possible if the infected person has warts caused by HPV in the oral cavity.
The fetus can be infected by a damaged placenta.Laboratory studies revealed the likelihood of infection due to toxicosis.
The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through household contact.In the latter case, ordinary communication with a human carrier does not always lead to infection.
One of the conditions in which the risk of infection significantly increases is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
The risk of infection is high when there are scratches, cuts, sores and abrasions on the skin.Due to a decrease in general and local immunity, the body's defense reactions worsen.
With 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 infectious diseases can act as a provoking factor contributing to papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
The standard manifestation of papillomavirus in such a situation is the appearance of condyloma on the genitals.A deterioration of immunity indicators is observed against the background of disturbances in the microflora of the vagina and intestines.The immune system of people with HIV is seriously affected.
The papillomavirus is activated under the following conditions:
- the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute stage of any chronic disease;
- Poor working conditions;
- Hypothermia;
- Congenital immunodeficiency state;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- Stressful conditions;
- Poor diet.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, it can take several years for symptoms to appear, which become more pronounced during periods of weakening immunity.
Methods of transmission of papillomas
The papilloma virus is transmitted through household contact:
- By handshakes;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When trying on someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
- When visiting public baths, saunas.
The sexual route of infection is especially dangerous, since the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
This also applies to men inclined to homosexual relations, since during such sexual intercourse there is a high risk of injury to the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, the likelihood of transmitting the virus to each other during sex increases if the partner has genital warts - they are easy to injure and are very contagious.
The human papilloma virus in women who are expecting a child can be transmitted to the fetus.During pregnancy, this happens in rare cases;Typically, the child becomes infected as it passes through the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is transmitted from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease on the genitals.
Infection of children at birth is accompanied by laryngeal papillomatosis, characterized by severe impairment of respiratory function.
There is also a risk of infection while breastfeeding.
The papillomavirus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, leading to the appearance of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts most often appear on the fingers, elbows and knees.
These are non-cancerous formations, dense to the touch, the color of which can vary from light to black.Their size is approximately 1 cm in diameter.
At an older age, HPV manifests itself through the formation of papillomas.They are soft and attached to the skin by a stem.Typically, their color matches the color of the skin, but sometimes they can be dark brown.
Most often, papillomas are localized on the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, neoplasms can occur on any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the condition of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membranes of the external genital organs.Sometimes they are found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
The human papilloma virus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina and anus.
Looking at photos of people with HPV, you can see how neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger lies in their possible degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are detected, they conduct studies to determine their oncogenicity and eliminate them.Photo: growths on the mucous membrane of the tongue
Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?
Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.However, don't panic if you are diagnosed with this condition.
First you need to know the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of infected people have been diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by low carcinogenic risks.
The most dangerous strains are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of papillomavirus in women
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus often develops against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals.
These may include: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudo-erosion of the cervix.It is often associated with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis and herpes.The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
- itching and burning in the genitals;
- specific secretions;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant feeling during sexual intercourse;
- proliferation and fusion of condyloma on the genitals.
Genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unattractive, but also cause discomfort: pain, itching and can bleed.
Detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a cancer 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 get an analysis for each type of virus, as well as determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, specialists can identify the severity of the disease and establish a prognosis.You need to prepare for the tests.
The patient should not engage in sexual activity, drink alcohol, or take antiviral medications for several days.
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with a solution of acetic acid, which reveals the papillomas, and they become clearly visible.
During a biopsy, an area of affected tissue is removed for examination.This material is then colored and examined.Biopsy is a very accurate research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how to treat HPV with medications.Therefore, the only treatment option today is the removal of papillomas.
Medications are prescribed as maintenance treatment only.
Direct removal can be performed using several methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high frequency current.After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off on its own after a few days.
The method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but it has a number of disadvantages.
First, a removed papilloma cannot be examined.Second, scarring may form at the removal site.
The most modern method is the radio wave method.
This is a safe and painless method, after which no marks remain on the body.
The cryodestruction method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.Areas of tissue that need to be removed are flash frozen.
In this case, slight discomfort may occur.The entire area of dead skin is removed 2 to 6 weeks after treatment.
Prevention
Realizing the prevalence of the virus, I not only want to know whether papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive measure, a special vaccine can be used to reduce the risk of infection with common, highly oncogenic types of HPV.
It is used mainly for prevention in women.Generally, it is recommended to do this 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 increase immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and good lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is damaged, it must be treated;
- You may not use other people’s personal hygiene products;
- in public saunas, the use of rubber slippers is recommended;
- no disease should be able to progress to the chronic stage;
- relationship with a regular sexual partner;use a condom;
- hardening and moderate physical activity;
- adequate and regular nutrition.
Compliance with these simple rules will help significantly reduce the risk of papillomavirus infection and protect your body from its penetration.