Human papilloma virus

Human papilloma virus

Many infections do not cause symptoms in healthy people.The immune system suppresses virus activity as a result of which a person becomes an infection carrier.At the same time, the transmission of the pathogen that other people occurs even with a full clinical well, since viral particles are contained in the patient's biological fluids.The hidden course of infection may be the main cause of significant dissemination of the disease: patients do not undergo time examinations and continue to infect others unconsciously.

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 their lives, but clinical manifestations of the disease do not occur in all cases.Doctors attribute an increased risk of formation of a malignant tumor to complications far from infection.In addition, patients suffering from immunodeficiency usually have such a negative consequence of the disease.Topical medications help suppress the symptoms of HPV infection.Oporne vaccination is also recommended.

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 area, the genitals of the oral cavity and 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 the warts depends on the type of HPV.In most people, the infection leads to hidden infection transport, however, with a decrease in immunity, the virus begins to show its virulence.In some cases, immunocompetent cells destroy independently the pathogen within 3-6 months after their body invasion.

HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease.This 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 prevent infection;Therefore, the patient may 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 way of HPV.Immunization is shown to girls in adolescence as protection against the virus should 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 show their activity only after the introduction of the cage and incorporate their own genetic information into the nucleus.After that, the affected cell begins to synthesize the proteins needed to assemble viral particles.Almost all representatives of the Papillomavirus family attack only one type of organism, and HPV infection can only occur in humans.

Scientists know more than 600 strains (types) of 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 strain oncogenicity is of important clinical importance.Therefore, cervical cancer in women occurs more often with HPV 16 and 18 invasion. These infectious agents are not always manifested by changes in the skin.

The HPV is impressing in the basal layer of the epithelium.The pathogen may exist in the form of an episode that 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.HPV life in the body is not a direct cause of malignant tissue degeneration;However, virus transport increases the danger of risk factors for cancer.

Infection methods

The virus is found in basal epithelial cells;Therefore, any skin microtrauma 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 protected by the surface of the skin, however, viral particles can still penetrate the body through other lids.The presence of genital warts predisposes to the transmission of pathogens, but the externally intact skin of the disease carrier is also a source of HPV.

Other Paths of Transmission

  1. Child infection during delivery.Children usually occur defeats of the respiratory tract
  2. Transfer independent of virus from one part of the body to another
  3. The general use of personal hygiene items, including shavers, toothbrushes and towels
  4. Blood transfusion.Recent studies have confirmed the possibility of transfusion infection.
  5. Surgical interventions in non -west

Despite the various causes of viral invasion, only the sexual path of HPV infection is clinical.Other sources of infection are characterized by a low risk of pathogen.

Risk factors

In addition to direct ways to transmit HPV, it is also necessary to consider the role of risk factors.We are talking about the characteristics of a human lifestyle and certain physical states.

Main risk factors for infection

  1. A large number of sexual partners.Even with safe sex, an active sex life sooner or later leads to infection.
  2. Age.In most cases, genital warts are detected in adolescents and young patients, while oral cavity and respiratory system conditions are characteristic of children.
  3. Weakened immune system.Patients suffering from HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency are highly risk of viral invasion.In addition, HPV manifests itself more frequently symptomatically after organ transplantation.
  4. Damage to the skin and mucous membranes.Microtraums facilitate virus penetration in the basal layer of the epithelium.
  5. Smoking and alcoholism.Bad habits weaken immunity activity.
  6. Venado infections.

In addition, pregnant women are included in the risk of infection.It should be remembered that the elimination of predisposition factors for the disease is effective preventive tactic.

Papilloma Clinical Image

Clinical current

The incubation period that precedes the symptomatic manifestations of the disease can last several months or not.In immunocompetent patients, the body can destroy infection during this period, but spontaneous pathogen elimination does not always occur.A person can be infected simultaneously with various virus strains.Signs of HPV infection occur when exposed to adverse factors weakening the immune protection of tissues.Due to the recurring course, the condyloma disappears and graduates again.The cancer complications of infections can develop for several decades.

Possible consequences of the disease:

  1. Cervical carcinoma - Malignant neoplasia of the epithelial tissue.This type of oncology is associated only with the human papilloma virus.With timely vaccination, the risk of oncogenesis decreases.
  2. Plant cell carcinoma of the anal orifice.This complication can occur in men and women.The first symptoms of anus cancer include bleeding and itching on the skin.
  3. Violation of urination due to urethra obstruction by condiloma.
  4. Malignant rebirth of warts in the throat and oral cavity.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of women's death.As this disease is associated with viral invasion, regular examination is required in a gynecologist.Modern vaccines protect women from the most oncogenic types of HPV.

Diagnosis

Gynecologists, urologists, venereologists and dermatologists are involved in the examination by CONDIL.During the initial appointment, the doctor will ask the patient about complaints, collect anamnestic data and conduct an inspection of skin formations.Usually HPV manifestations are easily identified, however, other diseases should be excluded.For this, the expert will prescribe instrumental and laboratory research.

The necessary diagnostic methods:

  1. Instrumental examination of the vagina and cervix (colposcopy).This study is necessarily performed for the screening of cervical carcinoma.During the exam, the doctor can detect various papillomas and areas of epithelial dysplasia.
  2. Biopsy - Obtaining fabric material in the skin area or mucous changes.A cytological study of the sample allows to identify malignant cells.
  3. Polymerase chain reaction - Detection of viral HPV particles in the body.This test offers the doctor the opportunity to determine the pathogen tension and the viral load.
  4. Digenic testing is a high precision detection of the oncogenic strains of the human papilloma virus.The study is used as reliable screening.
In addition to these studies, the doctor will recommend the patient to test for other infectious diseases, including HIV and syphilis.

Drug treatment

Preparations developed against HPV infection can only eliminate symptoms of the disease and prevent tissue malformations.The complete elimination of the virus using drug therapy is impossible.Oral and topics are prescribed in case of high risk of oncogenesis, immunodeficiency and other adverse conditions.If the virus does not manifest with external changes, generally general preventive measures.

Possible commitments

  1. Salicylic acid to remove warts.It is not used to process the skin of the face and the genitals.
  2. Creams and ointments containing immunomodulatory agents.
  3. Podophilo - an ointment with a cytostatic effect.The application of the drug to the affected skin leads to the destruction of pathogenic elements.
  4. Triclooroxic acid for chemical cauterization of general and genitals warts.Can cause local section.

Listed medications should be used only under medical control.After removing warts, HPV infection can manifest again and even spread to other areas.

Surgical treatment

Papilloma surgical treatment

The doctor may offer surgical and minimally invasive methods for the removal of warts.Usually, these methods do not cause complications, but in the early days after intervention, tissue bleeding may occur.

Intervention Types:

  1. Common surgical excision;
  2. freezing with liquid nitrogen followed by the destruction of the affected tissues;
  3. electrical coagulation;
  4. Papillomas removal with a laser.;
  5. Using a "knife" radio wave.

All procedures are performed under local anesthesia.The expert will select the safest method for treating the condition.

Forecast

The course of papillomavirus infection depends on the patient's immune status and a specific virus tension.Approximately 30% of the population has spontaneous elimination of pathogen caused by active immunity.Symptomatically, the disease often manifests itself in pregnant women, children, the elderly and patients with immunodeficiency.

HPV infection is characterized by a recurring course.Papillomas formed may disappear gradually or spread to neighboring skin.Oncogenic virus strains more often affect the cervical mucosa membrane, and the resulting epithelial dysplasia increases the effect of risk factors of 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 immunization.The Gardasil vaccine, containing viral proteins and auxiliary components, is effective against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 types.If vaccination is performed at an early age until first sexual contact, the risk of subsequent cervical cancer development in a woman does not exceed 1%.

Additional Prevention:

  1. use of condoms;
  2. sexual relations with reliable partners only;
  3. complete personal hygiene;
  4. Gynecological examination at least once a year.