How does infection occur and where does the human papillomavirus come from?

The question of where the papillomavirus comes from is of concern to many people and specialists. Its prevalence and survivability in the human body is surprising, and modern medicines cannot guarantee its complete destruction.

This microorganism has many strains, and some of them can lead to serious consequences for humans. In order to resist the virus, it is necessary to know as much as possible about it, including the ways of infection and possible preventive measures.

Where do they come from – ways of HPV infection

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common DNA-containing virus that is highly contagious and causes papillomatosis, i.e. the appearance of papilloma on the skin and mucous membranes. At its core, papillomas are benign formations resembling warts that grow from epithelial cells. In the process of development, they are able to affect not only the mucous layer, but also penetrate into the deep skin layers.

Currently, more than 120 varieties of HPV are known, which differ in their contagiousness, oncogenicity and resistance to medications. The virus actively infects people of both sexes, regardless of age. It is almost impossible to completely remove it from the body, where it remains in a latent state for life and after treatment.

Moreover, after infection, the virus may not manifest itself for years, and the person is not even aware of its presence. As a result, more than 10 percent of all people become carriers of the infection, and in the most active sexual period (25–35 years), the number of infected exceeds 50%.

How does infection occur? HPV is most commonly transmitted sexually. It has been established that the probability of infection through sexual contact with the carrier of the infection exceeds 65 percent. At the same time, the risk of infection is the same for any method of contact (genital, oral, anal). At the same time, papillomatosis cannot be considered a sexually transmitted disease.

Most strains of the virus can be transmitted by contact and household contact, that is, by direct contact with the affected areas of the body of a sick person or through common items. Infection is possible when shaking hands, kissing, using the pool and common baths, using someone else’s underwear, etc. Infection of newborns often occurs during childbirth in the presence of papillomas in the uterus, vagina and labia of the woman in labor.

Causes of occurrence, appearance on the body

Papillomatosis is an infectious disease, and the virus enters the body of a healthy person in one of the ways described. The risk of infection increases with too early sexual intercourse, promiscuity, casual (unprotected) sex. However, the development of the disease occurs only when favorable conditions appear for the release of HPV from a latent state.

The following provocative causes of the appearance of papilloma are distinguished:

• congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, including HIV and AIDS;
• the postpartum period, when a woman’s body experiences the effects of hormonal changes and stress loads;
• diseases of the genitourinary system of a chronic nature, sexually transmitted diseases, venereal diseases;
• pathology of the endocrine type, diabetes mellitus;
• active therapy with the use of immunosuppressants;
• repeated interruption of pregnancy by artificial means, long-term use of oral, hormonal contraception;
• exhaustion and physical weakening of the body;
• intoxication of the body, hormonal imbalance;
• long-term use of certain medications – cytostatics, antibiotics.

An unhealthy lifestyle leads to the activation of HPV. Bad habits (excessive addiction to alcohol, drugs) provoke the growth of papilloma. Malnutrition, starvation diets, vitamin deficiency significantly weaken the body, reducing immune defenses.

Symptoms

Once in the human body, HPV is most often suppressed by the immune system, and therefore does not manifest itself in any way for a long time. When the immune defense is weakened, the virus is embedded in the cells of the epithelial, basalt layer, changing the chromosomal structure. There is an accelerated division of cells and their corresponding growth, which gives an external manifestation in the form of formations of various shapes (papillomas).

The skin can be affected almost anywhere on the body. The most common localization on the genitals. Foci can be found on the mucous membrane in the oral cavity, larynx, upper respiratory tract, intestines and other internal organs.

Symptoms and appearance of papilloma varies depending on their type, but some common features can be noted. Usually, the formations do not show pain, but in some cases, pain and burning sensation are felt, with mechanical contact with the affected area. Atypical discharge may appear. The main sign of papillomatosis is the appearance of growths.

What types are the most common?

Papillomas are easily identified by their characteristic shape. On this basis, there are several types of formations:

1. Warty type (warts) . They are generated by HPV 1-5, 10, 28 and 49. The main difference between viral warts and other formations of this type is expressed in inconstancy – they appear and disappear on their own, depending on the state of immunity. In color, they approach the shade of normal skin. The most common varieties are juvenile (flat) warts, plantar warts (spikelets), vulgar warts that appear on the hands .
2. Genital warts . They are papillary growths provoked by HPV 6,11 , 13,18, 35. The main areas of localization are the genitals, the anus, oral cavity, lips, larynx, and respiratory tract. These warts can be single or multiple.
3. Merged genital warts . Nearby formations are able to join together to form a growth that looks like a cauliflower. When using a magnifying glass, one can notice the presence in such formations of individual sharp elements with their own blood capillaries. You can differentiate them with a weak acetic solution – papillomas acquire a pearly white hue.
4. Flat papillomas . This variety indicates the existence of an old, chronic infection and a significant cellular change. Formations can be of considerable size.
5. Laryngeal papillomas . They are generated by HPV 11 and are characterized by multiple character. The affected area is the vocal cords.
6. Papulosis of bowenoid type . Papillomas look like small flat warts . As a rule, they are localized in the genital area and are caused by HPV 16 , 33, 42, 54.

Studies show that the most common is HPV 16, which is detected in almost half of all cases. The second most common HPV 18  is significantly inferior to it (up to 10%).

Why are they dangerous for men and women?

Despite the benign nature of papillomas, they carry a high risk to health. Even simple warts on the body cause nervous overload from their unpleasant appearance and the desire to hide them from prying eyes. It is possible to note such manifestations caused by HPV:

1. On the human body – flat and common warts, butcher’s warts (HPV 7), verciform epidermodysplasia, Bowen’s disease.
2. On the genitals – genital warts of the vulva , uterine flat papillomas, cervical dysplasia.
3. On the inner membranes of the internal organs – epithelial hyperplasia of the oral cavity, papillomatosis of the respiratory tract of a recurrent type (HPV 6,11, 30), papillomas on the lungs.

The most severe complication is malignancy (malignancy) of the formation. Based on oncogenicity, HPVs are conditionally divided into 3 categories:

• without the risk of transformation – HPV 1-5, 10, 28, 49;
• with a very low probability of cancer – HPV 6, 11, 34, 40–44, 72;
• with an average degree of oncogenicity – HPV 26, 35, 52-56 ;
• with a pronounced tendency to malignancy – HPV 16, 18, 31 , 50, 61-64, 70, 73.

The overall risk of papilloma transformation into a malignant formation does not exceed 1 percent, but the probability still exists and is quite real. The most frequently observed provocation of cervical cancer in women, genital organs in both sexes.

What happens if you get injured?

Patients are especially wary of papilloma injury, and this is fully justified. These formations are permeated with blood capillaries, and mechanical action damages them. As a result, bleeding begins, sometimes very plentiful. A wound that does not heal for a long time becomes a favorable environment for the reproduction of various pathogenic microorganisms, which increases the risk of infectious diseases.

The most traumatic localization is the genitals. With sexual contact, damage to the papilloma is quite likely, especially in the presence of a pointed variety. In addition, one cannot ignore that frequent injuries increase the risk of oncological degeneration.

What if it has increased?

Another question is quite natural – what to do if the papilloma is actively increasing in size. This is a very dangerous sign. It often indicates the appearance of dysplasia, which is regarded as a precancerous condition.

In this case, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor for the necessary histological examinations. As a rule, the rapid growth of education is an indication for surgical treatment.

Diagnostics

Papillomas have one important feature. The primary diagnosis is made quite simply – according to the results of the examination. In particular, the pointed variety is generally difficult to confuse with anything else. Other types of papilloma require clarification for complete differentiation. Diagnostic studies are mainly aimed at establishing a specific strain of the pathogen and the degree of its oncogenicity.

To get a complete picture, the following diagnostic studies are carried out:

• Colposcopy . The method is based on the use of a special microscope – a colposcope, which is able to provide an examination of the cervical cavity. Microscopy allows you to clarify the presence, size and localization of education.
• Biopsy . It involves the collection of tissue samples from the lesion. There are 2 main types of research. Cytology – a scraping is taken from the surface of the affected area, which is examined under a microscope. The changes that have occurred in the cellular structure are being studied. Histology – the study is subjected to a biopsy in the form of a piece of tissue from the affected area. The sample is subjected to layer-by-layer examination, treatment with special compounds and examination under a microscope. Such studies can reveal a precancerous condition.
• PRC . The PRC method is considered the most informative way to diagnose papilloma. This technique allows you to establish a complete picture of the pathology, including establishing a specific type of pathogen.

These diagnostic studies make it possible to identify pathology, the state of the immune system and the presence of complicating factors with high accuracy. Treatment, especially surgical, can be prescribed only after a complete examination.

Which doctor should be contacted?

If signs of papilloma appear, you should consult a doctor. If the problem is observed in women in the intimate area, then you need to start with a gynecologist. Men need to visit a dermatologist. A treatment regimen cannot be developed without the participation of an infectious disease specialist and an immunologist. The decision on surgical intervention is impossible without a surgeon.

How to treat?

In general, it must be borne in mind that it will not be possible to completely get rid of HPV  . The task of treatment is to suppress the activity of the virus, remove the papilloma, strengthen the immune system and the general condition of the patient. Depending on the stage of the pathology, the type of formations and their size, conservative or surgical treatment can be carried out.

Medical therapy

The basic scheme of pathology therapy is based on the use of antiviral drugs. This technique is quite effective at the initial stage of the disease, when complicating circumstances are not noted. The following drugs are prescribed as medicines: Interferon, Cycloferon, Reaferon, Viferon, Leukinferon. They are aimed at stimulating the production of interferon in the body, which provides an antiviral effect.

Inductors of interferon synthesis act in the same direction – Neovir, Ridostin, Tamerit, Immunofan. For direct suppression of HPV, an antiviral agent is used – Alpizarip. To increase immune security, non-specific immunomodulators are recommended – Derinat, Wobenzym, Likopid . The scheme of drug therapy is individual in nature, and is developed taking into account the results of the patient’s examination.

Another direction of the use of medications is the removal of papilloma. A positive effect is achieved when using Condilin, Solcoderm, Fluorouracil, Imiquamod. These funds provide necrosis of the formation by blocking their nutrition or chemical burning of the affected tissues.

Hardware methods

Surgical treatment involves the removal or destruction of the papillomatous growth using hardware technologies. There are such ways:

1. Cryogenic Destruction . The destruction of papilloma occurs as a result of deep freezing using liquid nitrogen.
2. Radio knife or radio wave excision . A narrowly directed wave with radio frequency plays the role of the thinnest scalpel. To generate such a beam, the Surgitron apparatus is used.
3. Electrocoagulation or electroknife . The build-up is burned out using a high frequency current.
4. laser impact . It is considered one of the most effective methods, but requires special equipment that generates a laser beam.
5. Surgical excision . This surgical operation is performed only in the presence of complications (including oncological type, and which HPV of the oncogenic type in women ) and is carried out with a scalpel.

The choice of treatment technology remains with the doctor, who must take into account all factors. When treating the genitourinary system, it is important to preserve reproductive abilities. When diagnosing a precancerous condition, the exclusion of further transformation of the lesion comes to the fore.

How to get rid of with the help of folk remedies?

Traditional medicine cannot eliminate the disease on its own, but in combination with antiviral therapy, it can accelerate a positive result. Popular methods are:

1. Burning with celandine juice . The abilities of this plant have been appreciated for a long time. In pharmacies, you can buy ready-made SuperCleaner.
2. A compress of leaves and juice of Kalanchoe or Aloe . The course of treatment is long – about 50-60 days.
3. Infusion of lemon balm for internal use . Recipe – 100 g of raw materials per 100 ml of boiling water.
4. Sage infusion is used 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day. Recipe – 1 tablespoon of herbs per 0.5 liters of boiling water.

Traditional medicine is not limited to these means. St. John’s wort decoction, plantain infusion, treatment of the focus with fir oil, cauterization with ammonia are used. It should be remembered that even the use of natural remedies should be agreed with the doctor.

Papillomas are benign formations, but their danger is expressed in the tendency of some types of pathology to rebirth. If signs of damage to the papillomavirus appear, you should consult a doctor, and only he can determine the need and treatment regimen. With timely treatment, it is possible to suppress the activity of the pathogen by conservative treatment.