Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, warts and is a trigger for the development of cancer of the cervix and larynx. Less often, it can affect the oral mucosa, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of infection has increased 10 times in the last 10 years. In our country, the prevalence of HPV infection, according to studies in the regions, ranges from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly cautious about the fact that about one third of all isolated genotypes of the virus cause the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Entering a woman's body, HPV can show different activity, which depends on the state of the immune system. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. 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 Typically, we are talking about cervicitis or vaginitis in the background of HPV, which lead the patient to a gynecologist. In consultation, she can learn: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation on its own, but creates conditions for the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Warts located in the anogenital area and in the mucous membrane of the genital tract are a form of the PVI (papillomavirus infection) course, in which it becomes necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and relapses.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. It may be asymptomatic or cause secretion. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this condition, a proper understanding of how HPV is treated in women is more important than ever.
The classification helps the doctor to choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogens are also divided into groups according to their ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, medium and low oncogenic risk. Among the 40 sexually transmitted variants of the virus, 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 papillomavirus transmitted?
In the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is transient - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth).
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are more susceptible to infection with the virus. In the first sexual intercourse, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can also enter the body in the absence of direct contact. Girls are the ones most at risk for HPV and its aftermath. 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 disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then HPV infection, in most cases, is transient - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- simultaneous 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 alcohol consumption;
- chronic psychoemotional pressures 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 both infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cell genome, which carries a high risk of cancer - it has not yet been discovered how to treat HPV in women at this stage of medical science. This is why it is so important to keep the activity of the virus under control and to properly stimulate the immune system.
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 genitals and on the skin of the genital 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, due to which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- abnormal discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning.
- frequent recurrences of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis.
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
During the examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the cervical epithelium, signs of inflammation. Cancer can occur only in the last stages of a chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
In order to understand how HPV is currently treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches are available in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. At present, treatment for HPV infection is limited to the following activities:
- preventing the development 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 physicians is on the need for combined treatment of different manifestations of HPV. Research in genetic engineering is very promising. Scientists are considering "rewriting" the viral code to self-destruct instead of spreading. Reducing copies of the virus restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on "How to treat HPV in women" is currently detailed in the current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to visit a doctor?
Women should be screened by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to see a doctor arises when any annoying symptoms occur:
- neoplasms in the genital area.
- warts in other areas of the 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, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. He will do an examination, a gynecological smear and a scraping to detect HPV.
If papules appear on other parts of the body, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. When papules or warts develop in the anus, a proctologist may be needed. This will help determine the treatment regimen and which papilloma treatments should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case for purchase at a pharmacy.
General treatment regimen
The primary weapon in the fight against HPV is the individual's own stable immunity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of cases of contact with the virus, the clinical manifestations do not develop due to the self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- treatment of comorbidities;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medical and, if necessary, surgical.
- reduction of viral load.
- stimulating the body's own defense.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, bad environment and comorbidities reduce the ability of the female immune system to deal with the virus on its own. There are drugs that, having direct antiviral and immunomodulatory action, help strengthen the body and lead to a reduction in viral load. These modern medicines include a spray with activated licorice acid, which is obtained from licorice root. Helps stop the virus from reproducing early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The instrument has a special intravaginal nozzle for the administration of the drug to the cervix and its uniform distribution 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 has caused changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restoration of mucosal integrity.
- increase in local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated during the preparation period for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, to reduce the activity of the virus and to prevent recurrences. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
HPV-induced benign formations are subject to removal, which can be accomplished by the following methods:
- cryopreservation - exposure to the tumor 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 warts and destroy them.
- Surgical removal - given the high risk of recurrence after this type of catastrophe, is selectively prescribed - if it is not possible 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 integrates its parts, thus inactivating the further spread of the virus.
Prevention
For primary prevention, the use of barrier contraceptives (condoms) is recommended, which, although not a complete protection against HPV, will reduce the level of exposure to the virus. You need to be selective in choosing your sexual partners. If the connection is accidental, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, the HPV vaccine is the most effective. Protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, the HPV vaccine is included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. The most effective vaccination period is childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was believed that after 20 years of vaccination does not make sense. But recent studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is appropriate and effective until the age of 45-47.
If a virus infection occurs, 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.