Human papilloma virus (HPV) provokes the formation of papillomas, warts, condyloma and is a trigger for the development of cervical and laryngopharyngeal cancer. Less often it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times in the last 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to research in the regions, varies from 29% to 45%. The medical community is especially cautious due to the fact that about a third of all isolated genotypes of the virus cause the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papilloma virus infection
Entering a woman's body, HPV can show different activity, depending on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papilloma virus infection:
- latent flow. The virus persists in the body but does not cause pathological changes in the cells. No symptoms - the presence of the microorganism can only be determined by molecular biological research methods.
- Inflammation associated with HPV As a rule, it is cervicitis or vulvovaginitis on the background of HPV, which takes the patient to a gynecologist. In the consultation, he can find out: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation alone, but creates conditions for activating the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma located in the anogenital region and on the mucosa of the genital tract is a form of PVI (papillomavirus infection), which requires the use of modern surgical techniques to remove formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radiowave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and recurrences.
- Cervical dysplasia. It may be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this situation, it is more important than ever to properly understand how HPV is treated in women.
Classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups depending on their ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 variants of the virus that are transmitted through sexual contact, 14 are classified as high and medium oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, - 58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
How is the human papilloma virus transmitted?
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then the HPV infection is, in most cases, transient in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat the human papilloma virus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of virus transmission is contact:
- sexual;
- vertically (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (when using one towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are most susceptible to virus infection. At the first sexual contact, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can also enter the body in the absence of direct intercourse. Girls are the ones most at risk for HPV and then its consequences. This is due to the peculiarity of the structure of their genital organs.
Human papilloma virus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then the HPV infection is, in most cases, transient in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat the human papilloma virus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiencies and beriberi;
- common acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortions;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, improper daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent changes of sexual partners also increase the risk of infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If the immunity is reduced, the virus integrates into the cellular genome, which leads to a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science has yet to be discovered. Therefore, it is very important to keep the activity of the virus under control and 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 mucous membranes of the genital organs and the skin of the anogenital area. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can cause other unpleasant symptoms, which will cause the woman to contact a gynecologist immediately:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent recurrences of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- vaginal discharge of unpleasant odor.
During the examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can occur only in the later stages of chronic papilloma virus infection.
Is there a cure for the human papilloma virus?
To understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, the treatment of 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 disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing - the focus of doctors is focused on the need for combined treatment of different manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering "rewriting" the virus code to self-destruct instead of spreading. Reducing copies of the virus restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for doctors on "How to treat HPV in women" is currently described in detail in the current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to visit a doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to see a doctor arises when disturbing symptoms appear:
- genital neoplasms;
- warts on other areas of skin and mucous membranes;
- lower abdominal pain;
- unusual discharge or bad odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where accidental sexual intercourse has occurred, a visit to a gynecologist is recommended. He will have an examination, a gynecological swab and a scraping to detect HPV.
If papillomas occur on other parts of the body, it is necessary to consult a dermatovenerologist. When papillomas or condyloma grow in the anus, proctologist intervention may be required. This will help determine the tactics of treatment and which papilloma medications should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case for purchase at the pharmacy.
General scheme of therapy
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is a stable 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 of HPV infection should be comprehensive and focused on:
- therapy of concomitant diseases;
- elimination of external manifestations of the disease - medical and, if necessary, surgical;
- reduction of viral load;
- stimulating the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and comorbidities reduce the ability of the female immune system to cope with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, have a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help strengthen the body and reduce the viral load. These modern remedies include a spray with activated glycyrrhizinic acid, which is obtained from licorice root. It helps prevent early replication of the virus and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle to deliver the drug to the cervix and distribute it evenly along the walls of the vagina. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy in the latent course of papilloma virus infection can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus has caused changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restoring mucosal integrity;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the period of preparation for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, in order to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent recurrence. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent secondary infection from binding.
Papilloma and wart removal
Benign formations caused by HPV are subject to removal, which can be performed by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure of neoplasms to cold;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high frequency current;
- laser removal - layer by layer exposure to laser radiation until scabies appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to the nipples and destroy them;
- surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of destruction, is prescribed selectively - 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 through DNA and incorporates its parts, thus inactivating further spread of the virus.
Prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraception (condoms) is recommended, which, although not an absolute protection against HPV, reduces the level of exposure to the virus. You should be selective in choosing sexual partners. If accidental association occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, HPV vaccination is the most effective. Protects against the most common and malignant types of human papilloma virus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. The most effective time for vaccination is in childhood and adolescence. It was previously believed that after 20 years of vaccination, it makes no sense. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective by the age of 45-47.
If a virus infection does occur, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the patient's good health, especially the good condition of his immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-related diseases in the early stages.