Human papillomavirus, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases of the 21st century. It is easy to catch and impossible to treat. Sounds scary? We answer the most frequently asked questions about this infection in our material!
What kind of virus is this? New?
HPV is as old as the world. It is the one that causes warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin formations to appear.
These viruses were combined into one group in 1971. The number of types of HPV detected is approximately 600. In fact, there could be more. The only primary difference between these strains is that some have a low risk of tumors, and some have a high risk of tumors. In modern medical practice, it is not customary to check the presence of all 600 types, the main thing is to know whether 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 the formation of genital warts, which also need treatment. The virus is especially dangerous for women, as it can cause cervical cancer. However, men are also at risk: genital cancer often develops from the devastating effect of HPV inside cells.
How is it moved?
Sexual and domestic tracks. However, sexual transmission is the most common. A woman has a 50% chance of being infected in the first years of sexual activity. The surest way to avoid contracting HPV is to abstain from unprotected casual sex and to use condoms. However, even a condom does not provide one hundred percent protection, as HPV is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes: through kissing, contact during foreplay and oral sex.
The likelihood of contracting positively the number of sexual partners increases: the more sexually active you are, the more likely you are to have HPV. It is also possible to move home: when using someone else's towel or blade.
If your partner has a virus, there is a good chance you also have it. Men infected with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on both the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice a strange growth in the skin, inform your friend immediately and take the appropriate checks.
How do I know if I have HPV?
The easiest way is to take a gynecological swab for HPV and cytology. As we have already indicated, only 16 strains of the virus have been tested. It is possible to suspect the sixth or eleventh strains without testing: If you or your partner has papillomas or genital warts, you are most likely a carrier of HPV, and the tests will confirm this.
For viruses with a high risk of involvement, they do not manifest themselves, and it is difficult to visually determine their presence in the body - analysis of cytology, colposcopy of the cervix, and HPV tests are required. Because of the asymptomatic course of the disease, strains with a high risk of tumors are especially dangerous for women who do not undergo annual PAP (cytological analysis) testing by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic, and at this time the human papillomavirus is embedded in the cell and changes its structure, turning it into malignancy. Malignant cells help determine cytological analysis, which is performed in a routine examination by a gynecologist once every six months or a year. By the way, it is better not to miss them, especially those infected with HPV.
If I Have HPV, Do I Have Cancer?
Do not drive your horses. As we said before, more than 80% of women on the planet during their lifetime have had time to contract HPV. It is clear that not everyone will develop cervical cancer. It takes a long time from infection with HPV to developing a cancerous condition. Attend the scheduled annual checkups with your gynecologist, and get tested on time, then your doctor will diagnose the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in cells long before the cancer develops.
Even if you have found one or even more than 14 HPV types, cytological analysis does not necessarily reveal the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, with good immunity, cells with markers of malignancy are rarely found on a PAP test, so breathe out, calm down and read.
Is HPV being treated?
“If HPV is very dangerous, it must be treated urgently! ” - That thought might have flashed through your head. Unfortunately, medicine has not yet found any method or medicine that will help get rid of HPV once and for all. However, with immunotherapy and an appropriate lifestyle, you can achieve long-lasting remission and stop the damaging effect of the virus.
Treatment for HPVshould be comprehensive. If genital and genital warts are present, they must be removed by one of the methods: surgery, a radio wave knife, laser, or cryodestruction.
Can't warts be removed?
No, you can't: the virus concentrates and lives in these tumors, which means that subsequent treatment becomes less effective. In addition, you hardly want to leave them: unpleasant sensations can arise during sex, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will negatively affect your self-esteem and confidence, and, accordingly, the relationship with your partner.
Can They Succeed On Their Own?
But this scenario is quite possible: strengthening the immune system, a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits and daily use of local antiviral agents (ointments or sprays) - a combination of these measures can make the warts disappear.
However, there is good news: HPV may not be cured, but in most cases it eliminates it on its own, losing an unequal battle against strong immunity. This occurs within 2 years from the moment of infection, and in a young, robust organism the process proceeds normally faster.
Can you get the infection again from your sexual partner?
How! And condylomas that you've removed previously can appear again. If your leg is infected and has the outward manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high chance that it will become infected again. Both partners should treat all sexually transmitted diseases, without exception: the use of methods of protection, the removal of tumors caused by the HPV virus, the maintenance of strong immunity and the appropriate treatment.
If you find HPV, do not hide it from your partner. It may not require complex treatment, but immunotherapy will only benefit
If you suspect HPV, we recommend that you do not panic and contact a specialist - an obstetrician-gynecologist.