Human papilloma virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.There is unlikely that there is a person who has never heard of him, because today, according to the latest data, 12% of the world's population (about 660 million people) are infected with HPV.
The situation is falling a lot under the definition of an epidemic.This is why we will discover what HPV is, how it manifests itself and what can be dangerous.
What is HPV?
It is worth noting that viruses are wandering genes, they have a kind of intelligence.The academic Koznacheev once said that about two tons of "viral-bacterial" mass "pass through the human body throughout his life.All of these processes, of course, affect the work of genes.
The infection caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) is detected at least once in life in most sexually active people.The greatest prevalence is observed in women from 20 to 24 years old and men aged 25 to 29.Among the reasons affecting HPV spread include socioeconomic, behavioral and medical and hygienic factors.
How HPV is manifested
HPV (the Papillomaviridae family) causes damage to a person's skin and mucous membrane.At the same time, its immunological barrier is inferior, which leads to an increase in the inflammatory process.In other words, entering the body, the virus causes the growth of lower cells that are not controlled by the immune system, which clearly manifests itself in the form of papillomas, warts and candy on the skin.Another "focus" of the manifestation of this virus is the uterus.This organ is a type of "exhaust tube" in the body, as it serves as a direct indicator of the existing problems in the body (if any, the conception process is impossible or difficult).Human papilloma virus affects uterine mucosa and can cause oncology.
HPV Types
The human papilloma virus can be divided into two categories - low oncogenic risk and high oncogenic risk.In most cases, with an infection caused at a low risk of HPV (1, 2, 3 and 4 types), the body deals with itself due to strong immunity.In rare cases, this type of infection causes the appearance of warts, benign papillomas, pre -caancer lesions and even cancer.In turn, HPVs are considered 16 and 18 of the types as biological cancer agents for cervical cancer, vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx.
Depending on the manifestations of HPV infection in the genitals, latent, subclinical and clinical forms are distinguished:
- The latent form of HPV infection, despite the presence of virus DNA, is not accompanied by morphological changes in the affected tissue.It is possible to determine the asymptomatic presence of this type of infection using molecular biological methods, for which it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the cervical epithelium, vagina and vulva.With this form, specific treatment is not necessary.
- Subclinical forms of HPV infection (which occur as a rule asymptomatic) can be determined in colposcopy and cytological or histological examination.Most of the vaginal flat vagina remains asymptomatic, but they can often cause itching, vaginal discharge or spot discharge after sexual intercourse.
- The clinical form of infection, which doctors often face, manifests itself mainly in the form of warts and papillary formations that occur, as a rule, in places injured in sexual contacts.Its appearance and other relapses are associated with the weakening of general and local immunity.An important nuance is that from the moment of infection to the appearance of warts, it can go from several weeks to several years.The average time between the infection and its appearance is 11 to 12 months in men and up to six months of age.
Cervical cancer - how dangerous it is?
To understand how common and dangerous this disease is, just study the numbers.About 530,000 cases of cervical cancer (RSM) are recorded annually worldwide - is fourth place in the world in the prevalence of cancer in women.If we consider the structure of mortality in women under 45, the death of cervical cancer is first.
How can I be infected with HPV?
The most common way of infection is vaginal and oral sexual contacts, including without penetration.
Even a time of time with a probability of 80% leads to infection.It is also possible to be infected with oral sexual contact.A child can get a mother virus during delivery.
Girls who have not reached puberty are at greater risk.
The specificity of the virus is such that most men and women are infected at the beginning of sexual activity, and some are infected repeatedly.
Is the infection always the disease?
In a group of people under 30 years of 90% of cases, the infection ends with an independent cure.The remaining 10% move to the chronic stage, which can go into cervical cancer.This process is very extended in time: from the moment of infection to the development of oncology, from 5 to 20 years.And cancer does not occur "suddenly", it is preceded by pre -employed diseases.Thus, with careful attitude towards your health, the disease can be warned or identified in the early stages.
Cervical cancer in the early stages may not appear symptomatically.Therefore, it is very important to regularly visit the gynecologist and conduct all recommended exams.Extremely carefully every woman should be treated with bloody discharge, discharge with an unpleasant odor, pain in the lower abdomen.
How are HPV and RSM diagnosed?
The diagnostic system is widely developed today and allows high accuracy in the early stages.First of all, screening tests are used, including a citological cervical examination, high -risk oncogenic HPV tests and expanded colposcopy.
It is recommended to do the annual sorting of the cervical for all women from 21 to 69 years.Cytological research for women from 21 to 29 years is conducted every 3 years and 30 to 69 years - every 5 years.The HPV test is performed as prescribed by a doctor based on the results of the scams.
HPV Prevention and Treatment
It is better to prevent any disease than treating - and in the case of HPV, doctors and patients have all the possibilities for it.As primary prevention today, vaccination may be recommended.The importance of this vaccination is at least evidenced by the fact that in many countries it is included in the national vaccination calendar.Also, they reach all children - girls and boys.And the experience of this vaccination has already been accumulated, there is data on effectiveness.In particular, Australian Health Minister said that by 2020, Australia will become the first country in the world with zero cervical cancer, precisely due to mass vaccination since 2007.
Like other viruses, HPV can be removed using various immunostimulating products such as colostrum, cat claw, shark liver fat, and stimulate the body with various microelements - calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, selenium, iron.These elements traces increase immunity and favorably affect body protection against HPV.There is a statement that in the case of HPV in the body, a matrix zone is formed (the first papilloma that emerged under the influence of the virus) and if burned and removed, and the likelihood of new appearance is notably reduced.With a recurring course of the disease, it is recommended to use systemic immunomodulatory agents, in particular interferons.