Human Papillomavirus - Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus infection is a group of viral diseases, the hallmark of which is the formation of papillomas on the skin and mucous membranes of various organs. In addition, the papillomavirus is characterized by a recurrent course and high contagiousness. Since the human papillomavirus in men and women is easily sexually transmitted, the virus is often found in the urogenital area.

The causative agent of the papillomavirus is a group of viruses of the Papavaviridae family. At the moment, more than a hundred varieties of human papillomavirus in women and men are known, and about 70 of them are well studied. Scientists have found that certain types of papillomavirus can infect certain types of epithelium and cause characteristic tissue changes.

Sources of human papillomavirus infection

The source of papillomavirus is always a person. It should be noted that even healthy people can act as carriers of pathogens. Usually, the human papillomavirus in women and men does not manifest itself in any way, but as soon as the body experiences a strong stressful situation or other unfavorable external influence, it activates and leads to numerous complications. Transmission of infection is carried out through direct skin contact and the interaction of mucous membranes, including during intercourse. Pregnant women can transmit pathogens to the fetus, and then the child is initially born sick.

Human papillomavirus symptoms

With human papillomavirus disease in men and women, the infection mainly manifests itself as external signs.

Genital warts - most often located on the mucous surface of the labia minora, cervix, vagina, near the urethra. The human papillomavirus in men appears on the inner surface of the foreskin and around the glans penis. Condylomas are very difficult to notice with the naked eye, therefore, if you suspect an infection, it is better to feel the places of possible formation of formations in search of atypical irregularities. Many people do not pay attention to them, considering them an anatomical feature, but in fact, the mucous membrane of the external genital organs is always even and there should not be any extraneous tubercles on it.

Warts (papillomas) - affect the skin. Sometimes they are confused with benign tumors, but when diagnosed with human papillomavirus, the symptoms may disappear and reappear, since they are of a viral nature. Of course, this does not happen with benign tumors.

Fusion of warts - in the absence of treatment for papillomavirus, individual warts grow together and form a single formation of the color of seaweed. Similar manifestations are typical for some other infections, in particular for HIV, therefore, only qualified specialists should deal with the diagnosis.

Flat condyloma on the surface of the cervix is one of the most dangerous manifestations of papillomavirus, since it indicates the neglect of the disease and the development of a chronic process. Old human papillomavirus in women can lead to various complications and even cause uterine cancer. Patients are shown biopsy and histological examinations to distinguish flat papilloma from other types of formations.

A few words about possible complications. Papillomavirus pathogens have their own DNA. Consequently, when organs are damaged, the DNA of the virus and the epithelium merge. The nuclei in such altered cells change shape and color. Over time, the division of mutated cells takes on an uncontrolled nature, which leads to genetic disorders and the degeneration of normal tissues into cancerous ones.

Human papillomavirus - disease treatment

A variety of methods are used to remove genital warts and altered epithelium:

• chemical - moxibustion with solcoderm, trichloroacetic acid or feresol;
• physiosurgical - excision, laser therapy, cryo - and electrical procedures;
• cytotoxic - application of podophyllotoxin or podophyllin.

When diagnosed with human papillomavirus, treatment will mean taking bracing and stimulating drugs: vitamins C, E, B6, adaptogens, immunomodulators, interferon preparations. All of the above funds are used both for local treatment and for general therapy. Due to the anatomical features, women can take drugs in the form of vaginal suppositories.

Prevention of human papillomavirus

First, you need to minimize the impact of risk factors. To do this, you should abandon:

• early onset of sexual activity;
• chaotic change of partners;
• irregular use of condoms;
• having sex with a person who has genital warts or who has had sex with a woman with uterine cancer;
• excessive smoking and drinking alcohol.

Of course, it is necessary to regularly visit a gynecologist and treat the genital infections that have appeared in time. Remember that the human papillomavirus in men and women leads to serious consequences, so it is better to play it safe and prevent them than to spend the best years of your life on treatment.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!