HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases of the 21st century. It is very easy to infect people and incur no cure. Sounds terrible? We answer the most common questions about this infection in our literature!
What kind of virus is this? New?
HPV is actually the oldest in the world. It is he who is responsible for the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin types.
These viruses were combined into a group in 1971. The number of HPV types detected was about 600. There could in fact be many more. The only important difference between these strains is that some of them have a low onco risk, others have a high onco risk. In modern medical practice it is not customary to test the presence of all 600 types, the main thing is to find out if a person is a carrier of 16 strains, 14 of which cause precancerous conditions. : 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68. The rest - 6 and 11 - are responsible for genital warts, also need to betreatment. This virus is especially dangerous for women, as it can cause cervical cancer. However, men are also at risk: genital cancer often develops due to the destructive effect of the HPV virus inside cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sex routes and family. And yet, sexually transmitted transmission is the most common. The probability that a woman will be infected in the first years of sexual activity is more than 50%. The surest way to avoid getting infected with HPV is to abstain from normal unprotected sex and use a condom. However, even condoms do not provide one hundred percent protection, because HPV is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes: through kissing, during foreplay, and through oral sex.
The likelihood of having a positive illness increases with the number of sexual partners: the more sexually active you are, the more likely you are to get an HPV infection. It can also be transmitted in the family: when using someone else's towel or razor.
If your partner has a virus then there is a high chance that you will also be infected. Men infected with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on both the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice strange skin growth, immediately notify your boyfriend and take appropriate tests.
How do I know if I have an HPV infection?
The easiest way is to do a gynecological smear test for HPV virus and cytology. As we noted, only 16 virus strains were tested. You can suspect that you have a 6th or 11th strain without testing: if you or your partner has papillomas or genital warts, then chances are you are a carrier of the papillomavirus and the tests willconfirm this.
For high-risk viruses, they do not manifest themselves and it is difficult to visually determine their presence in the body - cytological analysis, colposcopy is necessaryand HPV testing. Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, high-risk cancer strains are particularly dangerous for women who do not undergo annual PAP testing (cytological analysis) by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic, at which point the HPV virus enters the cell and changes its structure, turning it into malignant. Malignant cells help define a cytological analysis, which is done when the gynecologist examines every six months or once a year. By the way, it is better not to miss them, especially those infected with HPV.
If I have HPV, will I have cancer?
Don't drive your horse. As we said, during their lifetime, more than 80% of women on the planet have been infected with HPV at one time. Obviously, not everyone gets cervical cancer. It takes a long time from HPV infection to a precancerous condition. Attend yearly scheduled exams with a gynecologist, get tested on time, then the doctor will diagnose the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in the cells long beforecancer growth.
Even if you have found one or even some of the 14 highly carcinogenic viruses, cytological analysis does not necessarily indicate the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, good immunity, malignant cells are rarely found in the PAP test, so exhale, calm down, and read on.
Can HPV be treated?
"If the HPV virus is so dangerous, it is urgent to treat it! " - perhaps this thought flashed through your mind. Unfortunately, so far medicine has not found any way or medicine to get rid of HPV once and for all. However, with proper lifestyle and immunomodulatory therapy, you can achieve long-term remission and prevent the destructive effects of the virus.
HPV treatment must be comprehensive. When genital warts and genital warts are present, they will need to be removed using one of the following methods: surgery, radiofrequency knife, laser or cryotherapy.
Cannot remove warts?
No, you cannot: the virus concentrates and lives in these tumors, which means the subsequent treatment will be less effective. In addition, you may not want to leave them: discomfort may arise during sex, not to mention that the cosmetic defect will negatively affect your self-esteem, self-esteem, andaccording to your relationship with your partner.
Can they pass it on their own?
But this situation is quite possible: boosting the immune system, a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits and using topical antivirals every day (ointment or sprays)- a complex of these measures can cause the wart to disappear.
There is good news, however: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it clears it up on its own, losing the unequal battle for immunity. strong. This happens within two years of infection and in a young, healthy body this naturally occurs faster.
Possible re-infection from a partner?
How! And the condylomas that you deleted earlier can reappear as well. If your man is infected and shows outward manifestations of the virus - genital warts - he will likely re-infect. All sexual infections, without exception, must be treated by both partners: the use of barrier protection methods, removal of the tumor caused by HPV, maintaining strong immunityand administering appropriate therapy.
If you've found HPV, don't hide your partner. He may not need complicated treatment, but immunomodulating therapy will only be beneficial.
If you suspect HPV, we advise you not to panic and contact a specialist - obstetrics and gynecology.