Papillomavirus is one of the most rapidly spreading and dangerous diseases today. There is an opinion that it is transmitted only through sexual relations, but there is a possibility of becoming infected through everyday contact.
Therefore, the “enemy” must be known by sight. In this article, we will look at what HPV is, how you can get infected with it, whether HPV is transmitted through a condom, and whether there is a treatment.
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What is papilloma and why is everyone so concerned?
Human papillomavirus is a disease that has been known to doctors for a long time. However, in recent years, close attention of doctors and scientists has been riveted to it.
A number of studies have found that HPV has a direct relationship with the development of cervical cancer. This virus was found in ninety percent of cases in biopsy data taken from oncological tumors. That is why doctors around the world are concerned about the spread of this disease.
According to statistics, the owners of the human papillomavirus are seventy percent of the world’s population. It should be noted that most women are affected by this disease. The virus is transmitted exclusively from person to person.
The popularity of anal sex has led to the fact that papillomas are increasingly found on the skin in the anus and on the rectal mucosa. Even newborns are not immune from infection: infection occurs during labor and manifests itself in the form of a huge number of genital warts in the larynx.
To date, more than a hundred types of HPV have been identified. Of these, forty can cause damage to the genitals and anus in men and women. Physicians have a conditional division of the disease into three groups:
- Non-oncogenic (diseases of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th types).
- Low oncogenic risk (diseases of the 6th, 11th, 42nd, 43rd, 44th types).
- Highly oncogenic (diseases of the 16th, 18th, 31st, 33rd, 35th, 39th, 45th, 51st, 52nd , 56th , 58th , 59th , 68 types).
Highly oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18 occur in seventy percent of detected cases, of which type 16 leads to cancer in almost fifty percent of cases.
While the virus enters the human body, it tends to enter the lower layer of tissue that covers the surface of the body cavity. The zone most prone to infection is the area of transition of the stratified squamous epithelium of the cervix into a cylindrical one.
In the affected area, the virus can exist in several possible forms – benign (that is, the virus is outside the human chromosome) and malignant (the DNA of the virus becomes one of the parts of the human genome and causes tissue regeneration). The latent period can last from a couple of weeks to several years.
It is worth noting that in ninety percent of cases the body will get rid of this virus on its own. The term is from six months to a year. However, if the recipient has any infectious or somatic diseases, as well as a weakened immune system, the disease passes into the stage of clinical manifestation.
These manifestations can act as genital warts (they are also called anogenital warts). They can be either single or multiple. Warts are located on the labia, the mucous membrane of the vestibule of the vagina and on the glans penis. It’s easy to spot them. However, oncological diseases (cancer of the neck of the T-shirt) can only be detected through screening .
You can provoke the appearance of HPV yourself. If at least one of the items below applies to you, then you are at risk.
- Active sex life before adulthood.
- Long-term use of oral hormonal contraceptives.
- The presence of gynecological and general chronic diseases.
- Constant stress.
- Avitaminosis.
- Weak immune system, susceptibility to frequent colds.
- Traumatic childbirth.
- Frequent change of sexual partners.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Virus transmission can occur in several ways. Below we will look at the most common of them.
Sexual transmission of the virus
Most often, infection occurs during sexual contact. It does not matter in what form it takes place: in anal, vaginal or oral. Even if your partner has no external signs of the human papillomavirus, this is not a guarantee of his health.
Even if you have been faithful to one partner all your life, this is not insurance against infection. Symptoms may develop several years after sex and by an infected person.
Vertical mode of infection
The vertical mode of infection occurs from mother to child. Most of the babies who have been found to have human papillomavirus acquired it during the passage through the mother’s birth canal.
There is also a hematogenous route, when the disease is transmitted through the placenta. A caesarean section is not one hundred percent insurance against the transmission of papillomavirus to a newborn.
Domestic transmission of the virus
According to physicians, infection by household means is possible, although with a lower risk than through sexual contact. The virus can be transmitted through the use of some toilet and hygiene items, and even when touched.
Is it possible to escape from papilloma, how to protect yourself?
Use a condom during intercourse. Oral caresses also require protection: when doing cunnilingus, it will not be superfluous to use a latex napkin.
To protect yourself from this disaster, follow the basic list of recommendations.
- First of all, wash your hands as often as possible or treat them with an antiseptic. Remember that the human papillomavirus is transmitted through the slightest microcracks on human skin.
- Get yourself a separate towel that only you will use.
- Do not use public brooms in baths.
- Go only to trusted beauty salons, do not hesitate to ask the master for a sanitary book before the procedure. Also, during a manicure or pedicure, make sure that the master always wears disposable gloves. All tools must be unpacked with you.
- Always wash underwear after purchase.
- Try not to drink from the same bottle with strangers.
If this does happen, the treatments
Before proceeding with the treatment of the disease, you need to find out its symptoms. Below we give the main symptoms that may indicate the presence of a disease in the human body.
- The appearance of warts near the genital areas.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
- Constant fatigue, severe weight loss, lack of appetite.
- Unpleasant odor from the vagina and the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge.
To date, there is no effective way to get rid of HPV. The world specialist in the field of treatment of this disease gives enough arguments in favor of the use of immunomodulators in the treatment of HPV manifestations. It can help with the appearance of flat papillomas and genital warts, as well as HPV-associated cancer.
However, a distinction must be made between treatment and attempts to control the virus. This method is most often used in Russia and the CIS countries, despite the fact that drugs are also produced abroad. It should be noted that the above method does not guarantee a 100% result.
But the conditions that the human papillomavirus causes can be treated. It is carried out using surgical methods, such as laser, radioknife, liquid nitrogen or weak electric current.
Benign condylomas and papillomas will also lie down to be removed. This is due not only to the aesthetic side of the issue, but also to reducing the risk of transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.
Many, when they find out that they are carriers of the papillomavirus, decide to refuse treatment. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to get rid of the disease completely, which creates the illusion of doom in a person. However, the situation cannot be left to chance. Even benign papillomas and warts can cause cervical cancer.
Removal of warts is possible only in a clinical setting. Do not trust the advertising of drugs that promise to remove formations at home. This can be dangerous and lead to serious consequences. Also, do not rely on traditional medicine.
Vaccination – guaranteed protection?
Today, there are two vaccines that protect against human papillomavirus types 16 and 18. It is these forms of the disease that cause cervical cancer in seventy percent of cases.
Also, these vaccines can become a shield against some other less common types of papillomavirus. One of the available vaccines protects against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause anogenital warts.
According to the results of clinical studies, vaccines are absolutely safe for humans. In addition, they are effective in resisting and preventing HPV viruses of the 16th and 18th types.
Vaccination should be carried out before the first sexual contact. The World Health Organization recommends that all girls aged 9-13 be vaccinated.
It is worth noting that the vaccine used to prevent HPV cannot affect the treatment of cancer. Human papillomavirus vaccination does not replace screening for cervical cancer.
Thus, we can conclude that vaccination is not a 100% guarantee against the disease, however, additional protection can significantly reduce the likelihood of infection.
Conclusion
Any disease is better to prevent than to cure. HPV belongs to the category of diseases that can cause cancer. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist without delay.
