Papilloma belongs to the group of viral diseases and is manifested by the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes.Some types of neoplasms pose a serious risk to humans.
Therefore, to avoid infection, you should know how papilloma is transmitted and follow simple prevention rules.
Human papillomavirus is part of a group of viruses belonging to the papillomavirus family.This group includes 5 genera, about 43 species, more than 170 species.
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common groups.About 60% of the world's population are its carriers.
The danger lies not only in the question "is the virus contagious", but also in the fact that the infected person may not feel any symptoms and may not even suspect that the virus has entered his body.
Papillomaviruses live and reproduce actively in the basal layer of the skin.At the same time, they are capable of spreading from one organism to another.
It has been proven that the virus can develop for a short time in the external environment, but usually its entire life cycle takes place inside the cell.
Most types of virus are not dangerous to human health, but there are types with oncogenic properties that can cause the appearance of malignant or benign tumors.
They can be classified as follows:
Safe(if we consider the possibility of developing cancer).
They occur without pronounced symptoms and are not dangerous for the human body;
Low risk- when they enter the body, genital warts appear in 90% of cases.Cell mutation can be observed in isolated cases;high risk.
In the presence of certain factors, they can cause the development of cervical cancer and provoke the degeneration of cells into atypical ones.
There are viruses that are transmitted from person to person, but there are also types that exist in the body of birds and animals, but do not pose a danger to humans.
Given the prevalence of the virus, it is necessary to know how papilloma is transmitted.HPV can be transmitted by contact or by the vertical method (from mother to fetus during pregnancy).
CONTACTincludes contact-domestic and sexual routes.Can you get a virus through a kiss?This is also possible if the infected person has warts caused by HPV in the oral cavity.
The fetus can become infected through a damaged placenta.Laboratory studies revealed the possibility of infection due to toxicosis.
The papilloma virus can be transmitted both sexually and through family contact.In the latter case, ordinary communication with a human carrier does not always lead to infection.
One of the conditions in which the likelihood of infection increases significantly is a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane and skin.
The risk of infection is high when there are scrapes, cuts, wounds and scrapes on the skin.Due to the decline of general and local immunity, the body's protective reactions worsen.
With insufficient production of class A antibodies, the normal functioning of the immune system is disrupted and the body's susceptibility to viruses and infections increases.
Various sexually transmitted infectious diseases can act as a provoking factor that contributes to papillomavirus infection: chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
The standard manifestation of the papillomavirus in such a situation is the appearance of condylomas on the genitals.The deterioration of immunity indicators is observed against the background of disturbances in the microflora of the vagina and intestines.The immune system of people with HIV is severely affected.
Papillomavirus is activated in the following conditions:
- the presence of dysbacteriosis and intestinal diseases of an infectious nature;
- Acute phase of any chronic disease;
- Bad working conditions;
- Hypothermia;
- Congenital immunodeficiency condition;
- Acute stages of infectious and non-infectious diseases;
- Stressful conditions;
- Poor nutrition.
The course of HPV is characterized by a long incubation period.After infection, it may take several years for symptoms to appear, which become more pronounced during a period of weakened immunity.
Ways of transmission of papillomas
Papilloma virus is transmitted through family contact:
- Through handshakes;
- Through personal hygiene products (soap, towels, etc.);
- When you try on someone else's clothes (you should never wear someone else's underwear);
- When visiting public baths, saunas.
The sexual route of infection is particularly dangerous, as the risk of infection with the oncogenic subtype of the virus is high.People who have a large number of sexual partners are most at risk.
This also applies to men who are prone to homosexual intercourse, since during such sexual intercourse there is a high probability of damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
Also, the likelihood of transmitting the virus to each other during sexual intercourse increases if the partner has genital warts - they are easy to hurt and are very contagious.
Human papillomavirus in pregnant women can be transmitted to the fetus.During pregnancy, this happens in rare cases;usually the child becomes infected passing through the birth canal.
It should be noted that the virus is inherited from mother to child only if there are external manifestations of the disease in the genitals.
Infection of children at birth is associated with laryngeal papillomatosis, which is characterized by serious impairment of respiratory function.
There is also the possibility of infection during breastfeeding.
Papillomavirus causes changes in cells, as a result of which they divide, leading to the appearance of tumors (warts).At a young age, warts appear more often on the fingers, elbows and knees.
These are non-cancerous formations, dense to the touch, the color of which can change from light to black.Their size is about 1 cm in diameter.
At older ages, HPV is manifested by the formation of papillomas.They are soft and attached to the skin by stalks.As a rule, their color matches the skin color, but sometimes they can be dark brown.
Most often, papillomas are located in the following areas of the body: face, neck, armpits, genitals.In men, neoplasms can appear in any part of the penis.
Sometimes the presence of a virus can affect the state of the urethra, causing difficulty urinating and pain.
When the virus enters the female body, neoplasms appear on the mucous membrane of the external genitalia.Sometimes they can be found in the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat.
Human papillomavirus can affect the cervix, urethra, vagina and anus.
Looking at the photos of people with HPV, you can see how many neoplasms can spoil the appearance, although the main danger lies in their possible degeneration into malignant tumors.
Doctors advise that when papillomas are detected, they conduct studies to determine their oncogenicity and remove them.Photo: growth on the mucous membrane of the tongue
Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?
Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted cannot always avoid infection.However, you should not panic if you are diagnosed with this condition.
First you need to find out the genotype of the virus - some of them are safe for humans.90% of those infected were diagnosed with HPV-6 and HPV-11, which are characterized by low cancer risks.
The most dangerous types are: HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59.
Treatment of papillomavirus in women
90% of women who die from cervical cancer are diagnosed with HPV.The virus often develops against the background of inflammation affecting the genitals.
These can be: vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, pseudoerosion of the cervix.It is often combined with diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes.The main symptoms of papillomavirus in women include:
- itching and burning in the genitals;
- specific secretions;
- difficulty urinating;
- unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse;
- proliferation and fusion of condylomas in the genitals.
Genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus, rectum and perineum.
These manifestations of HPV not only look unattractive, but also cause discomfort: pain, itching and may bleed.
The detection of cervical intraepithelial dysplasia with HPV indicates the development of a cancerous process.
Diagnosing
Diagnosis is carried out by taking tests and performing laboratory tests.
The following methods can be used: PCR;colposcopy;biopsy.An effective diagnostic method is the PCR method.
This allows you to get an analysis for any type of virus, as well as determine the number of DNA copies in the research material.
Thanks to the accuracy of this method, specialists can identify the severity of the disease and make a prognosis.You have to prepare for the tests.
The patient should not have sexual activity, drink alcohol or take antiviral drugs for several days.
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a special microscope.The cervix is lubricated with a solution of acetic acid, which reveals the papillomas and they become clearly visible.
During a biopsy, an area of affected tissue is taken for examination.This material is then stained and examined.Biopsy is a very accurate research method that can be used in combination with histology and cytology.
Treatment
Unfortunately, it is not known how HPV can be treated with medication.Therefore, the only treatment option today is the removal of papillomas.
Medicines are prescribed only as maintenance therapy.
Direct removal can be performed using several methods:
- electrocoagulation;
- laser;
- radio waves.
The electrocoagulation method involves the use of high-frequency current.After treating the papilloma with it, a crust forms, which comes off on its own after a few days.
The method is used to remove tumors located on the face and neck.
Laser removal is also common, but has a number of disadvantages.
First, a removed papilloma cannot be examined.Second, scars may form at the site of removal.
The most modern is the radio wave method.
This is a safe, painless method, after which no marks are left on the body.
The cryodestruction method for removing papillomas is based on the use of liquid nitrogen.Areas of tissue to be removed are flash frozen.
In this case, small disturbances may appear.The entire area of dead skin is removed 2-6 weeks after treatment.
Preventing
Understanding the prevalence of the virus, I want to not only find out if papillomas are contagious, but also what can be done to avoid infection.
As a preventive method, a special vaccine can be used that reduces the risk of infection with common types of HPV with many oncogenes.
It is mainly used for prevention in women.As a rule, it is recommended to be done between the ages of 9 and 25.
It is believed that even if the virus has already entered the body, the vaccine can deactivate it and increase immunity.
Non-specific prevention methods include basic rules of personal hygiene and proper lifestyle:
- if the integrity of the skin is damaged, they must be treated;
- You may not use other people's personal hygiene products;
- in public saunas, the use of rubber slippers is recommended;
- any disease should not be allowed to pass into the chronic stage;
- relationship with a regular sexual partner;using a condom;
- strengthening and moderate physical activity;
- proper and regular nutrition.
Following these simple rules will help to significantly reduce the risk of papillomavirus infection and protect your body from its penetration.