Papillomavirus infection is a common disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus affects only the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals and other organs (throat, mouth, eyes, etc.). We will become acquainted with more detailed information about the features of papillomavirus infection and how to treat it.
How is the papillomavirus transmitted?
HPV is transmitted by contact, most often - sexual. The risk group includes people who have an active sex life and often change their sexual partners, as well as those who started sexually early. Although the papilloma virus is weak in the environment, there are cases of infection by the domestic route. In addition, HPV can be transmitted to a child from an infected mother during childbirth.
Varieties of HPV and their danger
To date, there are more than 130 types of papillomavirus found in humans. Most of them are harmless, others cause viral warts, while others can cause cancer.
There is a separation of types of HPV based on the degree of aggression in relation to human tissues:
- non-oncogenic HPV;
- HPV low oncogenic risk - rarely detected with cancer lesions;
- HPV high oncogenic risk - often detected with cancer lesions, can lead to cancer.
In addition, HPV are classified by the structure of DNA into 5 classes: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, mu. The most studied are alpha viruses that infect the mucous membranes of the genitals and the areas of the oropharynx and include oncogenic high-risk types.
Penetrating into the body, HPV infects the basal layer of the epithelium and causes transformation and improper cell division. In the case of benign forms, the viruses are located outside the cell chromosomes, and when malignant, they are inserted into the cellular genome.
Papillomovirus infection can cause other viral, fungal and bacterial infections, as well as their attachment in case of trauma to the papillomas.
Symptoms of papillomavirus infection
The incubation period of papillomavirus infection ranges from several weeks to several years. After the lapse of the latent period there are signs of papillovirus infection, which at first can be practically not noticeable.
Depending on the type of HPV, the infection can manifest as genital warts , papillary warts, flat and inverted condylomas with internal growth. Sometimes their presence is accompanied by itching.
For diagnosis, the PCR method (polymerase chain reaction) is often used, in which the DNA of the affected cells is examined.
What is the risk of cancer in HPV infection?
Many women after the discovery of papillomovirus infection panic, and the thought of "inevitable" cervical cancer does not give a full life. In fact, according to authoritative sources, the prevailing information to date that HPV almost always leads to cancer is inaccurate.
In most cases, papillomavirus infection in women does not even require treatment, because proceeds without harm to the body and does not cause changes in the cellular structures. Only a small number of strains of two types of HPV (16 and 18) provoke cancer.
How to cure a papillomavirus infection?
Numerous studies have shown that in 90% of cases, HPV disappears without treatment within two years, i.e. there is a process of self-purification of the body from the virus. However, in this case, no immunity to HPV occurs, i.e. possible re-infection.
Currently, there is no effective specific treatment for papillomavirus infection, i.e. drugs and methods for complete disposal of the virus there. Only the consequences of HPV exposure are treated - papillomas are removed. There are several methods for this, which are selected depending on the location and size of papillomas:
- surgical method;
- electrocoagulation;
- laserocoagulation;
- cryodestruction.
Treatment of papillomovirus infection by folk methods implies the use of drugs that increase immunity, which activate the production of interferon and enhance the action of phagocytes. It will be useful to take a phytosbora prepared according to this recipe:
- Combine in equal parts fruit of a dogrose, a leaf of a plantain, a horsetail, a nettle, a balm, a root of a dandelion.
- Pour 800 ml 3 tablespoons collection, boil for 10 minutes, insist 3 hours.
- Take a decoction for half an hour before eating 3 tablespoons three times a day.