Human papillomavirus in women

The papilloma virus in women refers to a large group of viruses. To date, about 120 genotypes of the virus have been identified, but not all diseases caused by the papilloma virus in women have been studied. All types of the virus are divided into three groups:

• serotypes associated with low oncological risk (3, 6, 11, 43, 44, 72, 73);
• viruses with an average degree of risk (type 31, 33, 36);
• possessing high carcinogenicity (type 16 and 18).

The papilloma virus in women - symptoms

Since the appearance of papillomavirus infection in women not immediately after ingestion, in some cases it is difficult to determine when infection occurred. Symptoms of the papilloma virus in women are diverse and depend on the type of virus, from latent (latent) flow to dangerous oncological diseases. The fact is that the virus affects the basal cells of epithelial tissues and causes their active division, which in the subsequent leads to the appearance of neoplasms. The prolonged exposure to viruses changes the function and structure of the epithelial cells, down to a change in the structure of the genetic apparatus of the cell. This is the reason for the appearance of tumors.

The main symptoms can be:

• genital warts, located not only on the external genitalia and on the skin near the anus, but also often on the mucous membranes of the urogenital system hidden on the eye (on the cervix, the walls of the vagina);
• warts on various parts of the skin;
• flat papillomas;
• dysplasia of the epithelium of the cervix, which implies structural changes in cells;
• cervical cancer .

The most common symptom is asymptomatic carriage, while the virus is diagnosed accidentally or manifested in conditions of a decrease in the reactivity of the immune system. It is proved that the risk of developing cancer is increased when smoking, as the substances contained in tobacco activate the dormant virus.

Ways of transmission of human papillomavirus

The infection of the human papillomavirus occurs during sexual acts, and unlike other sexually transmitted infections, the condom does not provide adequate protection, since the virus can concentrate in condylomas that are in the region of the external genitalia. Much less common is another way of infection more characteristic of warts - this is the contact-household way.

The virus of papilloma in women - treatment

There are no specific schemes for treating human papillomavirus in women. Unfortunately, to date, there are not even specific drugs that can eliminate the virus. Therefore, therapeutic tactics regarding how to treat papillomas in women consists of combating the consequences caused by the virus and normalizing the functioning of the immune system. In order to maintain the immune system, injections of interferon preparations (Cycloferon, Reaferon) are prescribed. Contraindicated independent removal of any papillomas and warts on the skin, as the cause of these formations can be the virus of the papilloma, and such manipulation will lead to the spread of viral particles throughout the body.

All neoplasms caused by human papillomavirus in women, including cervical dysplasia, are removed using the following methods:

1. Cryotherapy.
2. Laser removal.
3. Electrocoagulation.
4. Radio wave therapy.
5. Chemical and cytotoxic drugs.

It is possible that over time the virus can spontaneously disappear from the body, indicating that there is an active response of the immune system to the virus. If the elimination of the virus does not occur within a year, it means that the epithelium is susceptible to the virus because of hereditary defects of antiviral and antitumor protection.

The best prevention of papillomavirus infection is vaccination. To date, the pharmacological market has two vaccines: Gardasil and Cervarix. In the literature periodically there are data on the need to include vaccination against the human papillomavirus in the national vaccination schedule.