The most common infection that affects almost 90% of people on Earth is called HPV or human papillomavirus. Having discovered a papilloma, no one sounds the alarm, because among people it is considered common warts. Get rid of them only if they interfere or have a cosmetic defect. The disease is "human" and is transmitted only from a patient to a healthy one: in everyday life, by touch, by the reproductive system, during childbirth from mother to baby. The disease can manifest itself on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of warts, papillomas or condylomas. Let's find out what is HPV and how dangerous is it for humans?
What is HPV?
The virus lives in almost everyone. HPV germs are so small that they can enter the bloodstream through abrasions, scrapes, and small cuts in the skin. It may not show itself at all throughout the wearer's lifetime, or it may constantly show itself in all its glory. The incubation period can range from a few weeks to several years. The signal for action is the weakening of the immune system. If papillomas appear on the skin and mucous membranes, the body needs urgent treatment.
There are more than 70 types of human papillomavirus, but several new strains are recorded each year. Conventionally, all types of HPV infection can be divided into two groups.
Warts are viruses that cause warts to develop on the body.
- HPV types 1, 2, 3, 4 cause plantar warts or corns to form;
- HPV types 3, 10, 28, 49 are responsible for the appearance of flat warts;
- HPV type 27 forms "butcher's warts";
- HPV: 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19-24, 26, 27, 29, 57 - also develop warts.
Papilloma - viruses that cause the formation of papillomas and warts.
- HPV 6. 11, 13, 16, 18, 31, 33, 31, 33, 58, 52, 39, 70, 30, 40, 42, 43, 51, 55, 57, 59, 61, 62, 64, 67 -69
What is the danger of HPV?
Why, in recent years, have doctors been sounding the alarm and trying to educate the public about HPV disease? Because the percentage of cancer patients who have been diagnosed with this virus is seriously increasing. Not only do women with uterine cancer suffer, but also men with oncology of the male genital organs. The number of skin cancers among the elderly is also increasing.
Of course, there are types of HPV that do not affect a person's internal health, but their manifestations in the form of overgrown papillomas and warts are uncomfortable. They are classified as low oncogenicity - minimal risk of developing cancer. Such formations are easily removed by folk methods or aesthetic medicine. But the virus itself is not treated by any means and drugs. If a person becomes infected, they will carry the virus for life.
Other subspecies of papillomavirus infection belong to the group with high oncogenicity, that is, they can affect the formation of malignant neoplasms in the body.
There are 3 types of its oncogenicity:
- Low cancer risk HPV: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61, 70;
- Medium oncological risk HPV: 26, 31, 33, 35, 51, 52, 53, 58, 66;
- High-risk HPV: 16, 18, 36, 39, 45, 56, 59, 66, 68.
Diseases and types of HPV
Below we have provided a list of types of papilloma virus.
skin injuries:
- Warts on the sole of the foot (calluses) 1, 2, 4
- Common warts 2, 4, 26, 27, 29, 57
- Flat warts 3, 10, 28, 49
- Wart Butcher 7
- Epidermodysplasia veruciformis 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20-25, 36, 37, 46, 47, 50
Lesions of the mucous membranes of Organs genitals:
- Genital warts 6, 11, 42-44, 54
- Epithelial lesions without invasion of other layers (intraepithelial lesions) may be precancerous 62, 64, 67-70
- Cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus and penis 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 54, 56, 66, 68
Non-genital mucous membrane lesions:
- Oral mucosal lesions (focal epithelial hyperplasia) 13, 32
- Recurrent airway papillomatosis 6, 11, 30
- Malignant tumors of the head, neck, lungs 2, 6, 11, 16, 18, 30
Types of viral skin lesions
Most types of human papillomavirus infection are asymptomatic. The external manifestations of the disease are different, here are some types:
common warts
The most common form of HPV is warts. Almost everyone can find a similar papule on their body with a diameter of not more than 5-7 mm. Warts are usually located on the outside of the palm, between the fingers, on the soles of the feet, on the chin, eyelids and scalp. Warts can grow in size and also form colonies from the maternal papule. Then they can cause discomfort: itching and tingling in the growth sites.
The most "sick" are plantar warts, their common name is "thorns". When walking, they put pressure on nerve endings, which causes severe pain. Such growths are recommended to be surgically removed in clinics. Simple warts are not a threat to human health, they almost never develop into cancer tumors.
butcher's warts
Butcher's warts look like several thick strands coming out of a single growth. Most often found on fingers, especially in places of cuts. Long threadlike papules bring inconvenience to their owner, since these formations do not look aesthetically pleasing. They can bleed when hit or scraped. Although in the oncological sense, these warts are safe, but their damage will lead to problems. Doctors' recommendation is to remove it without fail.
flat warts
Flat warts are also called "teenage warts" because they usually appear during adolescence. They look like a large dry, clustered rash on the skin. Cover forehead, cheeks, chin, forearms. The color cannot differ from the skin or be a little darker.
butcher's warts
Butcher's warts are warty growths with scars the color of normal skin. They can be single and as clusters of several pieces. The name of these wart growths was given by the professional activities of the butchers. We can say that this type of infection is an occupational disease of the meat industry.
verruciform epidermodysplasia
This disease can be confused with pityriasis versicolor, so you need to consult a specialist. It is transmitted hereditary, but it is very rare in the form of dermatitis. Externally, it looks like a buildup of scaly rashes and age spots. The main localization sites are the face, neck and hands. Unfortunately, this form of wart disease can develop into cancer.
periungual warts
Warts located near the nail destroy the nail plate. They grow deep into the skin and deform the finger. They don't grow into malignant formations, but that doesn't make them any less undesirable. Surgery is necessary for both cosmetic reasons and the health of the fingers.
Bowen's disease
This form of HPV tends to degenerate into squamous cell carcinoma. When the skin is damaged, redness of 5 mm in size forms, which grows and becomes covered with scabs. The upper layer of the epidermis is affected, the growth can be up to 5 cm in diameter. It is more common in the elderly, as the immune defense is reduced.
genital warts
This type of HPV is sexually transmitted and therefore affects the genitals of both men and women, as well as the mucous membranes of the urinary system and anus. The appearance of the formations resembles a cauliflower or a rooster comb. Genital warts can also appear on the corners of the mouth due to oral sex. The growths must be removed, as during friction it is possible to injure them and cause an infection.
Papillomas in the oropharynx
HPV infection in the mouth is also similar to cauliflower. White plaques can descend into the lungs and windpipe, making it difficult for the person to breathe. You can damage the papilloma while eating, which in turn can lead to cancer. As a malignant tumor cannot be distinguished from a benign one, testing is necessary before removing the plaques.
Flourishing papillomatosis may not just be in the elderly. The disease occurs in children and adults. The main signs of laryngeal papillomatosis are dysphonia (speech disorder) and aphonia (inability to speak), hoarseness and difficulty breathing.
treatment methods
Methods to get rid of papillomavirus infection do not exist today. Therefore, treatment is reduced to removing external formations and suppressing the virus in the patient's body. There are cases where some types of the virus have died on their own in the body for several years. Which methods and preparations to use for treatment are determined by the doctor only on the basis of the patient's diagnosis, tests and external examination.
Destructive methods:
- surgical excision (clipping) of the wart/papilloma (used only if malignant lesion is suspected);
- electrocoagulation - cauterization of the formation with a coagulator through which an electric current passes;
- cryodestruction - the destruction of the wart with liquid nitrogen;
- laser treatment - the impact on the formation of a laser beam;
- radio wave method - exposure to a wart/papilloma using the Surgitron device.
Chemical treatments:
- cauterization with salicylic acid;
- education processing trichloroacetic acid 50-90% concentration;
- a mixture of acids - treatment with educational drug (efficiency is very low).
To activate the immune system and suppress HPV, drugs with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects must be included in the therapy.
Disease prevention
It is quite difficult to avoid the HPV virus as it can be infected in a bathroom, swimming pool, using common household items, in a hospital. But these strains are mild and do not cause cancer. Prevention often boils down to personal hygiene, quick treatment of cuts and injuries with antibacterial agents, and wearing protective gear while working.
Special attention should be given to the prevention of the sexually transmitted virus. Protecting your body with condoms is unlikely to be successful. A viral infection in a partner can be located near the genitals and in the mouth. The best way to prevent infection is pre-vaccination. Vaccinations should be given to girls and boys before sexual activity begins at age 11-13 years. Immunity lasts for 3-5 to 10 years and depends on the vaccine and the type of virus. Then the vaccination can be repeated if there is a risk of infection (change of sexual partners).
High oncogenic risk HPV can indeed cause tissue changes and lead to an oncological process. But several years pass between the first signs and the development of cancer. That's why it's so important to have annual medical checkups with a doctor, especially for women. Regular gynecological examination reveals changes in the external genitals and cervix. Take care of your health!