From warts to cancer. What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condylomas of various forms. The tumor consists of nodules and resembles the inflorescence of cauliflower or turkey. Skin papilloma can be small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the beginning of its development, the formation has a flesh color, but over time it acquires a brown shade. Most often, warts appear on the neck, inguinal folds, armpits, elbows, knees, head and around the eyes. Also, growths can be in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitalia.
Distribution
This disease is known since ancient Greece. To date, statistics say that only 1 in 10 people is not a carrier of any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you must go to the doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
Ways of infection
Papillomavirus needs special conditions to penetrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest risk of transmission is through sexual contact, as the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus and there are often microcracks in the genitals.
In everyday life, it is more difficult to get infected with the papilloma virus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if a sick person and a healthy person use the same bath towel and washcloth. If someone in the family is sick with HPV, then personal hygiene and precautions should always be observed.
The only manifestation of the papillomavirus is genital warts and flat papules, although there may be no visible manifestations of the virus.
Risk factors
What to do if…
. . . if you accidentally damaged or ruptured the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (green brilliant solution, alcohol). For the first 2-3 days, do not disturb it with water procedures and do not cover it with a bandage.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size - you should urgently seek help from a specialist.
Human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as external genitalia.
But papilloma infection does not necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses with a low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (most often they appear in the form of pronounced growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, they form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant degeneration of cells, on average, it takes 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from its slumber.
Papilloma is pushed to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Also, banal inaccuracy can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpit, neck and face are often injured, after which they bleed and can become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body that you touch often, this is a direct indication for their removal.
Importance and effectiveness of vaccination
Vaccination against papillomavirus is important to prevent cancer and genital warts in men and women. Also, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by approximately 70%, and vaccine 9, approved for use in Israel since academic year 5780 (2019 - 2020), can reduce the risk of disease by approximately 90%.
- Vaginal cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 96%.
- Penile cancer– reduces the risk of disease by approximately 99%.
- Rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by approximately 77%.
- Genital wartsIn Australia, among girls under 21, the vaccine reduced incidence by approximately 92%, and among boys aged 16-26 by approximately 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear within a short period after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the length of time that has passed since the first use of the vaccine. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict that the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; preferably for life.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection in the shoulder area, two or three doses for six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls aged 9 to 26 years.
In special cases, with the recommendation of the attending physician, it is possible to vaccinate men and women aged 27-45.
It is important to be vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine does not cure diseases resulting from infection that occurred before vaccination and therefore it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Infection with the papilloma virus is possible at the first sexual contact, and therefore it is important to be vaccinated before starting sexual activity.
- The best immune response is achieved with vaccination at school age compared to vaccination at an older age.
HPV vaccination as part of the school vaccination program
- Starting from the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two parts with an interval of six months.
- In the past years, vaccinations were carried out: From the 2015-2016 school year and until the 2018-2019 school year, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In the 2014-2015 school years. girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In 2013- In the 2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the 8th grade of the school and girls in the 9th grade in the health office.
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, not just girls, follows the same reasons why girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from genital cancers and warts caused by a virus
- To prevent person-to-person transmission of the virus
Vaccination of unvaccinated children at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated at school be vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends that girls born in 1999 and later and boys born in 2002 or later who have not completed the full vaccination course be vaccinated.
- 9th grade students- Vaccination will be carried out by health care providers for students in residence, free of charge.
- Students of grade 10 and above who are under the age of 18- Vaccination will be carried out at the Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health in the place of residence, free of charge.
- Over 18 years old– you can be vaccinated in the health insurance fund, with payment.
Children who received only one dose of the vaccine in grade 8 should receive a booster vaccine with a second dose at least six months later.
Children who receive two doses in 8th grade within a period of less than five months should receive a booster vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From grade 9 and up, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by administering three doses (instead of two, as the response to the vaccine is better at a younger age). The recommended time interval between the first and second portion is one to two months, and between the second and third portion is five months.
Vaccination of adults up to 26 years old is recommended.
Adults who have received a dose of the vaccine in the past should complete the vaccination according to age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccines.
There is no need to screen for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccine safety
HPV vaccines contain only an empty shell of the virus, and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus - therefore they are safe and there is no chance of getting infected with the HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.