HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the 21st century. It is easy to pick up and impossible to cure. Is that scary? We answer the most frequently asked questions about this infection in our hardware!
What type of virus is it? New?
HPV is actually as old as the world. It is he who causes the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin formations.
These viruses were merged into one group in 1971. The number of HPV types detected is around 600. There may in fact be many more. The only critical difference between these strains is that some of them have a low risk of onco, others have a high risk of onco. In modern medical practice, it is not usual to check for the presence of all 600 types, the main thing is 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 others - 6 and 11 - are responsible for the formation of genital warts, which must also be treated. The virus is particularly dangerous for women because it can cause cancer of the cervix. However, men are also at risk: genital cancer often develops from the destructive action of HPV inside cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sexual and domestic routes. And yet, sexual transmission is the most common. The probability that a woman will be infected during the first years of sexual activity is more than 50%. The safest way to avoid contracting HPV is to abstain from casual, unprotected sex and to use a condom. However, even a condom does not offer one hundred percent protection, because HPV is transmitted through contact with the mucous membranes: through kissing, contact during foreplay and oral sex.
The probability of contracting positively increases with the number of sexual partners: the more sexually active you are, the more likely you are to be infected with HPV. Domestic transmission is also possible: using someone else's towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, there is a high probability that you have it too. Men with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice any strange skin growths, immediately notify your boyfriend and take the appropriate tests.
How do I know if I have HPV?
The easiest way is to do a Pap smear for HPV and cytology. As we have already noted, only 16 strains of the virus are tested. It is possible to suspect that you have the 6th or 11th strain without testing: if you or your partner has papillomas or genital warts, then you are most likely a carrier of the papillomavirus, and the tests will confirm this.
As for viruses with high oncogenic risk, they do not manifest themselves and it is difficult to visually determine their presence in the body - cytological analysis, colposcopy of the cervix and HPV tests are required. Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, strains with high oncogenic risk are particularly dangerous for women who do not undergo the annual PAP test (cytological analysis) by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic, and at this time, HPV is integrated into the cell and changes its structure, turning it into a malignant structure. Malignant cells help determine a cytological analysis, which is carried out during 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 with HPV.
If I have HPV, do I have cancer?
Don't drive your horses. As we have already said, during their lifetime, more than 80% of women in the world get to contract HPV. Obviously, not everyone has developed cancer of the cervix. It takes a long time between infection with HPV and the development of a precancerous disease. Attend scheduled annual check-ups with a gynecologist, get tested in time, then the doctor will diagnose the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in cells long before cancer develops.
Even if you have found one or even more of the 14 highly oncogenic types of the virus, cytology does not necessarily show the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, with good immunity, cells showing signs of malignancy are rarely found in the PAP test, so breathe out, calm down, and read on.
Is HPV treated?
“If HPV is so dangerous, it needs to be treated urgently! ” - maybe this thought crossed your mind. Unfortunately, so far, medicine has not found any way or drug that can help get rid of HPV once and for all. However, with immunomodulatory therapy and proper lifestyle, you can achieve long-term remission and stop the destructive effect of the virus.
Treatment for HPV must be comprehensive. In the presence of genital warts and genital warts, they should be removed by one of the methods: surgery, radio wave knife, laser or cryodestruction.
Can't warts be removed?
No, you cannot: the virus concentrates and lives in these neoplasms, which means that further treatment becomes less effective. In addition, you are unlikely to want to leave them: it is possible that unpleasant sensations will arise during sex, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will negatively affect your self-esteem, self-confidence and, for example, therefore, your relationship with your partner.
Can they go by themselves?
But this scenario is quite possible: strengthening the immune system, a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits and the daily use of local antiviral agents (ointments or sprays) - a set of these measures can makedisappear warts.
However, there is good news: HPV may go untreated, but in most cases it kills on its own, losing an uneven battle against strong immunity. This happens within two years of the time of infection, and in a young and strong organism the process naturally goes faster.
Is it possible to be infected again from a sexual partner?
Comment! And the warts you removed earlier may also come back. If your man is infected and has the external manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high chance that he will be re-infected. All sexually transmitted infections, without exception, should be treated by both partners: use barrier protective methods, eliminate neoplasms caused by HPV, maintain strong immunity, and perform appropriate treatment.
If you have found HPV, do not hide it from your partner. He may not need complex treatment, but immunomodulatory treatment will only benefit.
If you suspect an HPV, we advise you not to panic and contact a specialist - obstetrician-gynecologist.