Many infections do not cause symptoms in healthy people.The immune system suppresses the activity of the virus, as a result of which a person becomes a bearer of infection.At the same time, the transmission of pathogens other people occurs even with the complete clinical good, since viral particles are contained in the patient's biological fluids.The hidden course of the infection may be the main cause of a significant spread of the disease: patients do not undergo exams in a timely manner and continue to infect other people unconsciously.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be called an excellent example of an hidden infectious agent.Most people become infected with at least one type of HPV throughout life, but the clinical manifestations of the disease do not occur in all cases.Doctors attribute a greater risk of formation of a malignant tumor to distant complications of infection.In addition, patients suffering from immunodeficiency often have such a negative consequence of the disease.Thematic medications help suppress the symptoms of HPV infection.Timely vaccination is also recommended.
More about the disease
The human papillomavirus 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 area of the person, 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 wart location depends on the type of HPV.However, in most people, the infection leads to hidden infection transport, with a decrease in immunity, the virus begins to show its virulence.In some cases, immunocompetent cells independently destroy the pathogen within 3-6 months after their invasion of the body.
HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease.Such 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 avoid infection, so the patient can continue spreading the virus even with protected sexual contacts.At the same time, experts developed effective vaccines that prevent the development of an oncogenic form of HPV.Immunization is shown to girls in adolescence, since the protection against virus must be instilled before the first sexual contact.
Virus characteristics
The human papillomavirus is a pathogen that contains DNA.Unlike bacteria and other microorganisms, viruses can show their activity only after entering the cage and integrating their own genetic information into the nucleus.After that, the affected cell begins to synthesize the necessary proteins for the assembly of viral particles.Almost all representatives of the papilloma family attack only one type of organism, and HPV infection can only occur in humans.
Scientists know more than 600 strains (types) of human papillomavirus, which are distinguished by genetic information.40 HPV types are caused by various forms of damage to membranes and mucous skin.At the same time, the classification of the degree of oncogenicity of the strains is of important clinical importance.Then, cervical cancer in women occurs more frequently with the invasion of HPV 16 and 18. These infectious agents are not always manifested by skin changes.
HPV is surprising in the basal layer of the epithelium.The pathogen can exist in the form of an episome that is not associated with cell DNA, or an integrated shape associated with cell genome.It is the integrated virus produces the necessary proteins and causes clinical manifestations of the disease.The life of HPV in the body is not a direct cause of malignant tissue degeneration, however, the transport of the virus increases the danger of risk factors for cancer.
Methods of infection
The virus is found in basal epithelial cells, so any microtrauma of the skin and mucous membranes increase the risk of infection.In most cases, HPV is transmitted with vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact.The condom can only be insured by the surface of the skin, however, viral particles can still penetrate the body through other covers.The presence of genital warts predisposes to the transmission of the pathogen, but externally intact skin of the disease bearer is also a source of HPV.
Other transmission routes
- Child infection during childbirth.Children occur more frequently defeats of the respiratory tract
- Independent transfer of the virus from one part of the body to another
- The general use of personal hygiene items, including navigators, toothbrushes and towels
- Blood transfusion.Recent studies have confirmed the possibility of transfusion infection.
- Surgical interventions in non -sterile conditions
Despite the various causes of viral invasion, only the sexual path of HPV infection is clinical.Other sources of infection are characterized by low pathogen risk.
Risk factors
In addition to the direct ways of transmitting HPV, it is also necessary to take into account the role of risk factors.We are talking about the characteristics of a human lifestyle and certain physical states.
Key risk factors for infection
- A large number of sexual partners.Even with safe sex, an active sexual life sooner or later leads to infection.
- Age.Genital warts in most cases are detected in adolescents and young patients, while the condylomas of the oral cavity and the respiratory system are characteristic of children.
- Weakened immune system.Patients suffering from HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency are a high risk of viral invasion.In addition, HPV is most frequently manifested after organ transplantation.
- Damage to skin and mucous membranes.The microtraumas facilitate the penetration of the virus in the basal layer of the epithelium.
- Smoking and alcoholism.The bad habits weaken the activity of immunity.
- Venadas infections.
In addition, pregnant women are included in the risk of infection.It should be remembered that the elimination of predisposition factors to the disease are effective preventive tactics.
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 the infection during this time, but the spontaneous elimination of the pathogen does not always happen.A person can be infected simultaneously with several virus strains.HPV infection signs occur when exposed to adverse factors that weaken the immune protection of tissues.Due to the recurring course, the condyloma disappears periodically and forms again.The oncological complications of infections can develop for several decades.
Possible consequences of the disease:
- Cervical carcinoma: malignant neoplasia of epithelial tissue.This type of oncology is associated only with the human papillomavirus.With timely vaccination, the risk of oncogenesis decreases.
- Plant -carcinoma of anal hole cells.Such complication can happen in men and women.The first symptoms of anus cancer include bleeding and itching in the skin.
- Urine violation due to the obstruction of the urethra by condiloma.
- Malignant Renaje of warts in the throat and the oral cavity.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of women's death.Since this disease is associated with viral invasion, it is necessary to undergo regular exams in a gynecologist.Modern vaccines protect women from the most cancer types of HPV.
Diagnosis
Gynecologists, urologists, veneraologists and dermatologists are involved in the exam by Condil.During the initial appointment, the doctor will ask the patient about the complaints, collect anamnestic data and perform an inspection of the skin formations.In general, HPV manifestations are easily identified, however, other diseases must be excluded.For this, the specialist will prescribe instrumental and laboratory research.
The necessary diagnostic methods:
- Instrumental examination of the vagina and cervix (colposcopy).Such study is necessarily carried out to detect cervical carcinoma.During the exam, the doctor can detect multiple papillomas and epithelial dysplasia areas.
- Biopsy: Obtaining tissue material in the skin area or mucous changes.A cytological study of the sample allows you to identify malignant cells.
- Polymerase chain reaction: the detection of HPV viral particles in the body.The realization of this test gives the doctor the opportunity to determine the strain of the pathogen and the viral load.
- The Digene test is a high precision detection of the DNA of oncogenic strains of the human papillomavirus.The study is used as a reliable detection.
Drug treatment
Preparations developed against HPV infection can only eliminate disease symptoms and prevent tissue malformations.The complete elimination of the virus using pharmacological therapy is impossible.Oral and topical agents 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 appointments
- Salicylic acid to eliminate warts.It is not used to process the skin of the face and the genitals.
- Creams and ointments containing immunomodulating agents.
- Podofilo: an ointment with a cytostatic effect.Applying the medicine to the affected skin leads to the destruction of pathogenic elements.
- Triclooroxic acid for the chemical cauterization of general and genital warts.It can cause the local section.
Lifted medications should be used only under medical control.After eliminating warts, HPV infection can manifest again and even extend to other areas.
Surgical treatment
The doctor can offer the patient surgical and minimally invasive methods to eliminate warts.In general, such methods do not cause complications, but in the first days after the intervention, tissue bleeding may occur.
Types of intervention:
- ordinary surgical split;
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen followed by the destruction of the affected tissues;
- electric coagulation;
- Papillomas elimination with a laser.;
- Using a "knife" radio wave.
All procedures are carried out under local anesthesia.The specialist will select the safest method for the treatment of Condil.
Forecast
The Course of Papillomavirus infection depends on the patient's immune state and a specific virus tension.Approximately 30% of the population has spontaneous elimination of the pathogen caused by active immunity.Symptomatically, the disease is often manifested in pregnant women, children, older people and patients with immunodeficiency.
HPV infection is characterized by a recurring course.Formed papillomas may disappear or extend to neighboring skin.The oncogenic strains of the virus often affect the mucous membrane of the cervix, and the resulting epithelial dysplasia increases the effect of the risk factors of malignant tissue degeneration, such as smoking and the use of oral contraceptives.The tumor can be formed 10-20 years after the invasion of the virus in the body.
Prevention
The most reliable prevention method is early immunization.The Gardasil vaccine, which contains viral proteins and auxiliary components, is effective against HPV types, 11, 16 and 18. If vaccination is carried out at an early age to the first sexual contact, the risk of subsequent development of cervical cancer in a woman does not exceed 1%.
Additional prevention:
- Use of condoms;
- sexual relations only with trusted couples;
- Exhaustive personal hygiene;
- Gynecological examination at least once a year.