Diagnosis of human papillomavirus: photo, development, treatment methods in men and women

human papillomavirus

Papillomavirus is a group of viruses, in which there are about 24 subgroups. To date, about 600 species have been discovered. It is transmitted only from person to person. The problem of diagnosing and treating the human papillomavirus (HPV) is faced by many people and doctors. The virus is able to give impetus to tumor processes, it is found on the skin, in the esophagus, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, in the bronchi, conjunctiva and even in the rectum.

Causes of occurrence and ways of infection

human papillomavirus on the neck

Human papillomavirus is a very common disease transmitted by:

  • during sexual intercourse;
  • when touched, kissed;
  • through scratches or cuts when visiting the pool, bathhouse, public toilets or gym;
  • when shaving or epilating.

Statistics say that even with one partner, women become infected in 20% of cases.

About 70% of the population are ill and are carriers of HPV. The virus is especially actively transmitted from patients who have warts on their bodies (it is this virus that causes them to appear) in the form of pointed or flat uneven growths on the skin and genitals. In medicine, they are called warts and papillomas.

Possible infection of newborns from the mother during childbirth. In babies, the disease manifests itself in the form of growths in the throat or on the genitals.

Symptoms and development of the virus

The latent period of the disease (incubation) can last from two weeks to several years. At this time, there are no visible signs of the virus.

The appearance of warts on the skin can occur gradually and one at a time, but it is also possible that many condylomas or papillomas grow rapidly at once, similar in shape to sea kale.

If the infection occurred sexually, then the human papillomavirus manifests itself in women:

  • in the region of the labia;
  • vagina;
  • cervix;

For men:

  • around the head of the penis;
  • on the skin of the genitals.

When partners are carried away by oral sex, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are affected, for lovers of anal sex - the anus, rectum.

Men rarely suffer from the disease, although they can be its carriers. When examining spouses, the virus is found more often in women.

Attention!If suspicious growths are found, consult a doctor urgently, as with some types of virus, neoplasms are reborn, causing cancer.

Classification and types

human papillomavirus on skin

To date, about 600 types of the virus have been discovered. They are mostly harmless and disappear within two years after infection in the presence of normal immunity.

However, about 40 species are dangerous to humans, causing neoplasms, both benign and oncological.

In the 80s of the last century, doctors proved the relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer.

The following types of virus are classified according to the site of skin lesions and varieties:

  • plantar;
  • "butcher's warts";
  • ordinary;
  • flat.

On the genitals:

  • genital warts;
  • flat, provoking changes in the surface of the membrane of the cervix and causing oncology;
  • papillomas that cause cancer of the genital organs and anus, both women and men.

Other types:

  • damage to the oral mucosa;
  • papillomas of the respiratory tract;
  • tumors of the neck, head, lungs.

Varieties:

  • Simple papillomas appear on the back of the palms, and in children they can grow on the knees. They look like rough growths in the form of cones.
  • Plantar - interfere with walking, look at the beginning as shiny growths, then grow to a wart with a rim at the base. Growing, they form a whole bunch of similar formations.
  • Flat - the color differs little from the skin, but causes itching, redness, discomfort.
  • Filiform. In medicine they are called acrochords. They appear more often in people over 50 years of age. At first they look like yellowish cones, growing, they form outgrowths up to 6 mm.

When warts appear in visible areas, a sick person can go to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment. It is more difficult to determine the defeat of the cervix or vagina, especially if women neglect visits to the gynecologist.

Virus diagnosis

If suspicious growths appear on the skin or mucous membranes in the form of papillae-like (warts) or uneven, bumpy warts, you should definitely consult a doctor. Warts do not cause cancer as often as flat papillomas, but they are best removed to reduce the chance of infecting those around you.

Due to the possibility of cancer development, such neoplasms are being investigated.

The doctor takes an analysis for the human papillomavirus - scraping from the surface of the mucosa (colposcopy with damage to the cervix - examining the mucosa under strong magnification) or skin. The sample is examined under a microscope for changes in the structure of the tissue (dysplasia), as well as determining the type of virus.

Cervical smears are divided into 5 classes according to the results of a cytological study:

  • no changes;
  • changes are caused by inflammatory processes;
  • there are minor changes in the structure of cells, histology is required;
  • cells with signs of malignant changes were found;
  • there are many cells with signs of cancer.

Histological examination gives a more detailed picture of changes in the structure of the tissue.

Clinics use special HPV - tests that allow you to get more accurate analysis results. A positive test result indicates the occurrence of malignant processes in the tissue.

HPV is at high oncogenic risk. A high risk of cancer is caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are found in 70% of examination cases.

Based on the results of the examination, a diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed.

HPV Treatment Methods

human papillomavirus on tongue

How to treat the human papillomavirus? In connection with the decrease in immunity caused by the disease, first of all, doctors prescribe medications that increase it:

  • interferons;
  • interferonogens.

But the main means of treatment is the mandatory removal of neoplasms by the methods of modern cosmetology:

  • diathermoelectrocoagulation;
  • cryodestruction ("cauterization" with liquid nitrogen);
  • laser removal;
  • radio or chemical treatment;
  • introduction of immunostimulants or immunomodulators into growths.

In each case of the disease, the types of treatment should be determined by a specialist.

If, according to the results of the examination, pathological processes in the skin are not found, then only papillomas with a small area of skin around are removed. If malignant cells are detected, the operation can capture a significant area, depending on the depth of the lesion.

Folk methods and recipes

How to cure the human papillomavirus? At all times, traditional medicine has helped to fight diseases. Experience in the treatment of HPV is also quite extensive.

Means recommended by traditional medicine. You can lubricate warts:

  • celandine juice;
  • juice of sour apples and their pomace;
  • dandelion juice;
  • ammonia.

Proven Recipes:

  • Prepare an infusion of chaga, celandine, string, freeze it and apply pieces of ice 3-4 times a day.
  • Lubricate with castor oil, then cover with a cloth. Usually 5-6 such procedures are enough.
  • Kerosene and walnuts. Grind unripe nuts in a meat grinder, then mix: for 1 part of nuts - 2 parts of kerosene, the mixture should be infused for three weeks. Apply to warts 2 times a day.

To increase immunity, herbalists recommend drinking

  • potato juice,
  • echinacea infusion,
  • rosehip tea.

Herbal collections:

  • dandelion roots, nettle, lemon balm, horsetail, plantain;
  • wormwood, St. John's wort, tricolor violet, dill (seeds), calamus (roots), clover (flowers), plantain.

HPV treatment at home

You can remove papillomas at home using drugs sold in pharmacies:

  • Special composition that freezes warts. It must be applied carefully so that it does not get on healthy skin. After the procedure, in about a week, the growths will fall off, leaving no traces.
  • Treatment with adhesive strips. Takes only 3 hours. But it can cause discomfort or pain when torn off.
  • Dilute 2. 5 grams of aspirin powder, the same amount of iodine, 2 grams of boric acid in 100 ml of alcohol and smear papillomas with this composition.

Prevention of infection

And yet, do not forget about the viral nature of the appearance of unpleasant growths. Removing papillomas from the surface of the skin, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease. Therefore, you should see a specialist to prevent the degeneration of neoplasms into cancer. It is not yet possible to completely cure HPV, but you can take steps to avoid getting infected.

human papillomavirus vaccination

For prevention you need:

  • use condoms for casual sex. The condom does not completely protect against HPV infection, as it does not cover the entire surface of the skin from contact, but still partially helps to avoid the spread of infection.
  • Avoid visiting baths, pools, toilets, even with the smallest wounds on the skin.
  • Children are vaccinated against cervical cancer, which is caused by the HPV virus. Girls 11-12 years old are vaccinated. The results of vaccination showed a reduction in this disease in women who received the drug.

Have you found a wart or a suspicious growth on your body? Contact a competent specialist and follow all the recommendations. HPV can sometimes be very dangerous. Learn about treatment and removal methods and take action!