From warts to cancer. What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condyloma of various shapes. The tumor consists of nodules and resembles cauliflower inflorescences or cockscomb. Skin papilloma can be both small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation has a flesh color, but over time it acquires a brown tint. Most commonly, warts appear on the neck, in the inguinal folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head, and around the eyes. Also, the growths can be in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitalia.
Classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greece. To date, statistics indicate that only 1 in 10 people do not carry any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you need to see a doctor and take the necessary tests.
Routes of infection
The papillomavirus needs special conditions to infiltrate the body. Contamination occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest danger of transmission is through sexual contact, since the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus and there are often microcracks on the genitals.
In everyday life, it is more difficult to be infected with the papillomavirus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if the sick and the healthy use the same bath towel and the same washcloth. toilet. If a family member has HPV, personal hygiene and precautions should always be followed.
The only manifestation of the papillomavirus are genital warts and flat papules, although there may not be visible manifestations of the virus.
Risk factors
What to do if…
. . . if you accidentally damaged or tore out the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (brilliant green, alcoholic solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not bother her with water procedures and do not cover her with a bandage.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you need to urgently seek help from a specialist.
The human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as the external genitalia.
But papilloma infection does not necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses with low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (more often they appear in the form of sharp growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, they form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant degeneration of cells, it takes an average of 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from sleep.
The papilloma is pushed to destructive mutations by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Moreover, a trivial inaccuracy can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpit, neck and face are often injured, after which they bleed and may become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body that you often touch, this is a direct indication for their removal.
The importance and effectiveness of vaccination
HPV vaccination is important to prevent cancer and genital warts in both men and women. In addition, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against the papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by about 70%, and vaccine 9, which has been approved for use in Israel since the 5780 academic year (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by about90%.
- vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by about 96%.
- Penile cancer– reduces the risk of disease by about 99%.
- rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by about 77%.
- Warts on the genitalsIn Australia, in girls under 21, the vaccine reduced the incidence by about 92% and in boys aged 16-26 by about 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear shortly after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the time that has elapsed since the first use of the vaccine. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have antibody levels that protect them against the virus. Experts predict the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; possibly for life.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection in the shoulder area, two or three doses for six months.
The HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 26.
In special cases, on the recommendation of the attending physician, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45 years.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine does not cure diseases resulting from infection that occurred before vaccination, so it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible from the first sexual intercourse, so it is important to get vaccinated before the start of sexual activity.
- The best immune response is obtained with vaccination at school age, compared to vaccination at older ages.
Vaccination against HPV papillomavirus as part of the school vaccination program
- From the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with the 9 vaccine, in two portions with an interval of six months.
- In recent years, vaccinations have been carried out: from the school year 2015-2016 until the school year 2018-2019, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th year of the school withthe 4 vaccine. In the 2014-2015 school years, girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with the 4 vaccine. In 2013 - In the 2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the vaccineCervarix in grade 8 at school and girls in grade 9 at the health office.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, not just girls, follows the same reasons girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by a virus
- To prevent human-to-human transmission of the virus
Vaccination of unvaccinated children at school
We recommend that children who were not vaccinated at school be vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 or later, and boys born in 2002 or later who have not completed their full course of vaccination, get vaccinated.
- 9th graders- Vaccination will be carried out by health care providers for students at the place of residence, free of charge.
- Grade 10 and older students under the age of 18– The vaccination will be carried out free of charge at the health office of the Ministry of Health of the place of residence.
- Over 18– you can get vaccinated at the health insurance fund, for a fee.
Children who received only one dose of the vaccine in grade 8 should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose after at least six months.
Children who receive two doses in grade 8 within a period of less than five months should receive an additional vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From the 9th year and above, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by giving three doses (instead of two, because the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second servings is one to two months, and between the second and third servings is five months.
It is recommended to vaccinate adults up to 26 years of age.
Adults who have received a dose of the vaccine in the past should complete the vaccination according to age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccines.
It is not necessary to check for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccine safety
HPV vaccines contain only an empty shell of the virus and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - so they are safe and there is no possibility of infection with HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.