HPV or human papillomavirus is a dangerous disease of viral etiology that causes the appearance of pointed papillomas and warts. Some strains are dangerous with dysplasia and genital cancer. Perhaps this is the most common sexually transmitted disease.
The answer to the question of whether HPV type 53 causes cancer is basically a negative answer, since it has an average oncogenic type of risk of rebirth. For example, in women with cervical cancer, 16, 18, HPV 31 and 45 types of papillomavirus are most often diagnosed.
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Features, what kind of disease is this?
More than half of the world’s people are infected with this pathogen in various variations. The level of danger of HPV directly depends on its type.
This virus also has one feature – it is impossible to get rid of it forever, you can only suppress its active phase for a while and prevent the appearance of formations.
As soon as the papillomavirus enters the body, it immediately spreads through the cells and changes the structure of the DNA of focal lesions, which subsequently leads to the formation of a tumor. But since type 53 has an average risk of oncology, the formations are usually benign.
Causes of infection in women
Most often, HPV infection occurs during sexual contact, but there are cases of transmission by household means, for example, through personal hygiene products.
A person can acquire this virus in childhood, through abrasions and scratches. Further development is hindered by immunity, preventing it from being reborn into a full-fledged education.
But when the immune system is weakened, the virus begins to multiply in epithelial cells, changing the DNA structure. After that, the cells begin to actively divide and form into a wart or papilloma. The incubation period is about 3 months, but sometimes this period can last up to several years.
Infection with this type of virus in women occurs during sexual intercourse, it does not matter during vaginal, oral or anal, since HPV is transmitted only through contact with mucous membranes or epithelial cells.
It is enough to have at least one microtrauma of the genital organs for the instant transmission of the virus from a partner. Another factor in the possibility of transmitting the virus from person to person is a kiss, since the oral cavity is nothing more than a mucous membrane.
When the virus enters the oral route, rashes are observed in the cavity and throat in the form of human papillomavirus infection. A “vertical” type of infection is also possible, when the virus is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth, during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal.
Symptoms
Provided that the immune system has neutralized the virus, there will be no symptoms at all, but with the growth of the virus in the cells, the signs do not appear in any way for several months. At this point, the person becomes a potential carrier and can infect other partners without even knowing they have the disease.
After a certain period of time, women appear increasing in size formations that prevail in the region of the labia, clitoris, vaginal vestibule, external opening of the urethra and cervix.
In the urethra, condylomas are arranged in the form of a ring, and when they penetrate deeper into the urethra, they cause itching, burning, discomfort in the lower abdomen, etc. Also find out what indirect signs will help you identify HPV.
Rashes can be both single and cluster-like, they have a light pink color. External symptoms may be absent, in this case, only a gynecologist can diagnose the presence of formations during a vaginal examination, when papillomas and warts are in places invisible to the eyes, for example, on the walls of the vagina or cervix.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of HPV is carried out only by passing laboratory tests. Assign a diagnosis to a gynecologist, dermatologist or urologist. To date, there are a number of studies that can accurately determine the presence of the virus.
PCR (non-amplification) analysis, detected by smear or scraping from the mucous membranes or amniotic fluid sampling. Has the accuracy of determining the presence and type of virus. Requires experience in carrying out, since any deviations from the norm lead to false positive or false negative results.
Cytological analysis is a collection of cells from the cervix or mucous membranes. The idea of the method is to detect special mutated cells through a microscope. Cytology has a division into classes:
- When determining grades 1–2, there is no cause for concern.
- When class 3 is determined, additional studies are prescribed, for example, histological.
- When class 4 is determined, as a rule, the presence of malignant cells is diagnosed.
Histological analysis is similar to cytological, that is, it is based on the identification of transformed cells.
The Digene test is a newly invented diagnostic method. Allows you to accurately recognize the type of virus, its concentration and determine the degree of oncogenicity. As a rule, this analysis is prescribed in conjunction with PCR diagnostics to identify an absolutely accurate answer.
Anti-HPV antibodies are an assay that cannot 100% detect the presence of the virus, but has the advantage of early detection of the virus.
Colposcopy is a type of examination with a special instrument. The colposcope is inserted into the vagina and magnifies it several times, which allows you to see papillomas on the cervix.
Treatment
Treatment of HPV type 53 takes place taking into account the localization of formations. The main methods are:
- Taking antiviral drugs aimed at reducing the activity of the virus.
- Taking drugs that increase the efficiency of the immune system.
- Surgical removal of warts and papillomas using laser incision, in order to prevent injury and further formation of formations.
- If cancerous tumors are detected, the affected area of the cervix is removed.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no stress.
- Traditional medicine, as a means to reduce the size of neoplasms, for example, Kalanchoe juice, squeezing garlic and rubbing with ammonia.
- Vaccination against HPV is particularly effective in young girls who have not had sexual intercourse, use in women who are sexually active significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Human papillomavirus and pregnancy
If a woman is found to have HPV, then pregnancy planning should be delayed to receive treatment and reduce the risk of infection during childbirth.
The reason is that to remove papillomas, a drug is used to kill the formations, and taking these drugs has a contraindication to pregnancy at the time of treatment. There will be no delay in planning, since you can think about pregnancy already in the second cycle of menstruation.
However, if a woman is already pregnant, then therapy is postponed until 9 months and the gynecologist is under special supervision. Treatment in this situation is selected softer and more conservative.
The danger during pregnancy lies in the possibility of infection of the child when passing through the birth canal of a mother who has condylomas in the vagina , which leads to the possibility of the baby developing condylomatosis of the larynx, a disease dangerous for newborns.
Papillomas form in the upper respiratory tract, which can lead to poor ventilation. With this development of events, as a rule, childbirth is prescribed by caesarean section.
Another threatening factor for a pregnant woman infected with HPV is reduced immunity. The risk of other viral diseases or their exacerbation, if any, increases, which entails certain health problems in the child’s future. Moms with such problems are shown an enhanced course of taking immunomodulators and a special regimen.
In addition, if HPV exists in the body, a woman increases the risk of vaginal candidiasis (thrush), which can get to the fetus and cause infection. With correct and punctual treatment of the virus during pregnancy, the prognosis for bearing a healthy child is quite favorable.
The consequences and danger of an oncogenic virus
Today, more than a hundred types of HPV have been identified, and about half of them cause the formation of genital warts in the anus and on the genitals.
The appearance of such neoplasms in itself is not dangerous, but unpleasant and requires treatment. In addition, the presence of this virus in the anamnesis indicates a reduced immunity, which poses a risk of various diseases that have serious consequences.
The appearance of such a common disease as cervical erosion can also be triggered by HPV. When using colposcopy, erosion looks like a pink or red spot that looks like a sore that can lead to oncology. The most significant risk factor for HPV is the oncogenicity of this virus.
It is able to cause the degeneration of benign cells into malignant ones. Women who smoke are at particular risk. True, there is a common opinion among doctors about the oncogenicity of HPV type 53, some attribute it to the average type of cancerous mutation, and some are of the opinion that this type cannot cause oncology at all.
Prevention
It is impossible to completely protect yourself from HPV, but it is possible to prevent infection with this virus through vaccination, as well as timely examination by a gynecologist. If you suspect the presence of papillomas, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The sooner the vaccination is carried out, the more likely it is to preserve the health of the woman and her unborn child. The vaccine is also indicated for older women, especially if they have more than one sexual partner. For this category, the advantage of vaccination is to reduce the risk of genital cancers.
Although HPV type 53 is not oncogenic, it cannot be called harmless. It can cause visual and hearing impairments, malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and liver diseases, impotence and infertility. Simple preventive measures will help to avoid infection and further treatment.
