Human papillomavirus (HPV) provokes the formation of papillomas, warts, condyloma and is a contributing factor in the development of cervical and laryngopharyngeal cancers. Rarely, it can affect the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, conjunctiva and eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times over the last 10 years. In our country the prevalence of HPV infection, according to studies in the regions, varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly wary of the fact that about one-third of all isolated virus genotypes provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Entering a woman's body, HPV can exhibit different activity, which depends on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent leakage. The virus persists in the body but does not cause pathological changes in the cells. There are no symptoms - the presence of a microorganism can only be determined using molecular biological research methods.
- HPV-related inflammation As a rule, it is cervicitis or vulvovaginitis on the background of HPV, which take the patient to the gynecologist. In consultation, she can discover: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation in itself, but creates conditions for activation of the inflammatory process.
- Warts located in the anogenital region and in the mucosa of the genital tract are a form of PVI (papillomavirus infection) course, in which it becomes necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove the formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction, or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and recurrences.
- Cervical dysplasia. May be asymptomatic or cause leakage. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, it is more important than ever to understand exactly how HPV is treated in women.
Classification helps the physician choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogenic types are also divided into groups depending on the ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, moderate and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of sexually transmitted virus, 14 are classified as high and moderate oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - Types56, - 58, -59, -66 and -68.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted?
In the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat papillomavirus in women becomes important.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus at birth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are more susceptible to infection with the virus. At first sexual contact, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can enter the body even in the absence of direct contact. It is the girls who are most at risk of HPV and then with its consequences. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genitals.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
In the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean a disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is transient in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat papillomavirus in women becomes important.
- Concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiency and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortion;
- smoking and alcohol consumption;
- chronic psycho-emotional stresses that weaken the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent change of sexual partners also increases the risk of infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus integrates into the cell genome, leading to a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has not yet been discovered. Therefore, it is so important to keep the activity of the virus under control and to properly stimulate the immune defense.
The first signs of HPV in women and additional symptoms
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucosa of the genitals and on the skin of the anogenital region. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, due to which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent relapses of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
On examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the cervical epithelium, signs of inflammation. Cancer can only appear in the later stages of a chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is There A Cure For Human Papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently being treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches exist in treating human papillomavirus infection. At present, therapy for HPV infection is reduced to the following activities:
- preventing the progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There are no drugs that lead to the complete elimination of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - the focus of physicians is on the need for combined treatment of different manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are exploring the possibility of "rewriting" viral code to self-destruct rather than spread. Reduction of viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on the topic "How to treat HPV in women" is currently detailed in current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to go to the doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to visit a doctor arises when disturbing symptoms appear:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts in other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual discharge or bad odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where an accidental sexual intercourse has occurred, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. He will perform an examination, take a gynecological test, and itch to detect HPV.
If papillomas appear on other parts of the body, it is necessary to consult a dermatovenerologist. When papillomas or warts grow on the anus, the intervention of a proctologist may be required. This will help determine treatment tactics and what papilloma remedies should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case for purchase at a pharmacy.
General scheme of therapy
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is the enduring immunity of the person himself. The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop due to self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- therapy of concomitant diseases;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medical and, if necessary, surgical;
- reduction of viral load;
- stimulating the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and concomitant diseases reduce a woman's ability of the immune system to cope with the virus itself. There are drugs that, having a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help strengthen the body and lead to a reduction in viral load. These modern medicines include a spray of activated glycyrrhizic acid, which is taken from licorice root. Helps stop the virus from reproducing early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The device has a special intravaginal nozzle for delivering the drug to the cervix and distributing it evenly along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent the onset of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus provoked changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieving inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restoring the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the preparation period for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, to reduce virus activity and prevent relapses. The medicine helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the onset of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are subject to removal, which can be performed by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to the neoplasm with cold;
- electrocoagulation - high frequency current treatment;
- laser removal - layer-by-layer exposure to laser radiation until a scab appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to the warts and destroy them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of destruction, is selectively described - if it is impossible to use other methods.
Among the new developments in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR / Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts the DNA and inserts its parts, thus inactivating the further spread of the virus.
prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraception (condom) is recommended, which although not absolute protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You need to be selective in your choice of sexual partners. If an accidental connection has occurred, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, HPV vaccination is the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was believed that after 20 years vaccination does not make sense. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective until the age of 45-47.
If a viral infection occurs, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the patient's good health, especially the good state of his immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-related diseases in the early stages.