HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the XXI century.It is easy to pick up and cannot be cured.Sounds frightening?We answer the most popular questions about this infection in our material!
What kind of virus?New?
In fact, HPV is old as a world.It is he who is the cause of warts, papillomas, warts and other skin formations.
These viruses were combined into a single group in 1971.The number of VPV types discovered is about 600. It is possible that in reality there are much more.The critical difference between these strains is the only one: some of them are low onco risk, others are tall onco.In modern medical practice, it is not customary to check for 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 remaining - 6 and 11 are responsible for the formation of genital warts, which also need to be treated.The virus for women is especially dangerous, as cancer of the cervix can cause.However, men are also at risk: genital cancer is more often developing from the destructive effect of HPV inside the cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sexual and domestic route.Nevertheless, the sexual transmission is the most common.The likelihood that a woman will become infected in the first years of sexual activity, more than 50 %.The right path is not to catch HPV - to refrain from random unprotected sexual contacts and use a condom.However, even the condom does not give one hundred percent protection, since HPV is transmitted when the mucous membranes contact: through kisses, contact during preludes and oral sex.
The probability of getting an infection positively increases with the number of sexual partners: the more active sexual life you lead, the more chances to be infected HPV.The household transmission is also possible: when using someone else's towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, then there is a high probability that you also have it.In men infected by HPV, pointed condylomas and flat warts occur both on the penis and in the groin.If you suddenly notice strange skin neoplasms, immediately inform your boyfriend and pass the appropriate tests.
How to find out that I have HPV?
The easiest way is to hand over a gynecological smear to determine HPV and cytology.As we have already noted, they check the presence of only 16 strains of the virus.You can suspect the presence of the 6th or 11th strain without analyzes: if you or your partner have papillomas or pointed condylomas in the genital area, then most likely you are a carrier of papillomavirus, and the analyzes will confirm this.
As for the viruses of high oncogenic risk, they do not manifest themselves, and visually their presence in the body is difficult to determine - analysis of cytology, colposcopy of the cervix and tests for HPV are necessary.Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, strains of high oncogenic risk are especially dangerous for women who do not pass the annual papa test (cytological analysis) in a gynecologist.The course of the disease passes asymptomatic, and at this time, HPV integrates into the cage and changes the structure, turning it into malignant.Malignant cells helps determine the cytological analysis, which is taken at a planned examination by a gynecologist once every six months or a year.They, by the way, are better not to miss, especially those who have HPV.
If I found a HPV, then am I sick with cancer?
Do not drive the horses.As we have already said, over 80 % of women, the planet manage to get sick of HPV.Obviously, not everyone developed cervical cancer.From the infection of HPV to the development of a precancerous state should pass a lot of time.Visit annual planned examinations from a gynecologist, take the tests in a timely manner, and then the doctor diagnoses the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in the cells long before the development of cancer.
Even if you have found one or even several of the 14 highly oncogenic types of the virus, a cytological analysis will not necessarily show the presence of malignant cells.At a young age, with good immunity in the papa test, cells with signs of malignancy are rarely found, so exhale, calm down and read on.
HPV is treated?
"If HPV is so dangerous, then it needs to be urgently cured!"“Perhaps this thought flashed through your head.”Unfortunately, while medicine has not found either a way or medicine that will help get rid of HPV once and for all.However, with immunomodulating therapy and the correct lifestyle, you can achieve prolonged remission and stop the destructive effect of the virus.
HPV treatment should be complex.In the presence of pointed warts and genital warts, they will need to be removed by one of the methods: surgically, a radio wave knife, a laser or cryodestruction.
Is it possible not to remove condylomas?
No, it is impossible: the virus concentrates and lives in these neoplasms, which means that subsequent treatment becomes less effective.In addition, you can hardly leave them: it is possible that during sex there will be unpleasant sensations, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will negatively affect your self -esteem, self -confidence and, accordingly, on relations with a partner.
Can they go on their own?
But this scenario is quite possible: strengthening immunity, a healthy lifestyle, rejection of bad habits and daily use of local antiviral agents (ointments or sprays) - a complex from these measures can force condiloma abyss.
However, there is good news: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it eliminates on its own, losing unequal battle with a strong immunity.This happens within two years from the moment of infection, and in a young, strong organism, the process, of course, goes faster.
Is it possible to re -become infected from a sexual partner?
How!And the condylomas that you removed earlier can also occur again.If your man is infected and he has external manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high probability that re -infection will occur.All sexual infections, without exception, must be treated to both partners: use barrier protection methods, remove neoplasms caused by HPV, maintain strong immunity and conduct appropriate therapy.
If you have found a HPV, do not hide this fact from your partner.Perhaps he does not need complex treatment, but immuno -modulating therapy will only benefit.
With any suspicions of HPV, we advise not to panic and contact specialists-obstetrician-gynecologists.