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. Sounds scary? We answer the most common questions about this infection in our content!
What type of virus is this? New?HPV is really as old as the world. It is caused by the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin formations.
These viruses were grouped together in 1971. The number of detected HPV types is about 600. There may actually be many more. The only critical difference between these types is that some have a low onco risk, while others have a high onco risk. In modern medical practice, it is not usual to check 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 others - 6 and 11 - are responsible for the formation of genital warts, which must also be treated. 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 destructive action of HPV inside the cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sexual and family ways. And yet, sexual transmission is the most common. A woman is more than 50% more likely to become infected in the first years of sexual activity. The surest way to get HPV is to refrain from unprotected casual sex and use a condom. However, even a condom does not provide one hundred percent protection, since HPV is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes: through kissing, contact during foreplay and oral sex.
The likelihood of contracting positively increases with the number of sexual partners: the more actively you are sexually active, the more likely you are to become infected with HPV. Family transmission is also possible: using another person's towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, there is a high probability that you will also have it. Men with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice a strange growth on the skin, notify your boyfriend immediately and get the appropriate tests.
How do I know if I have HPV?
The easiest way to take a gynecological smear is for HPV and cytology. As we have already noted, only 16 strains of the virus are checked. You may suspect the 6th or 11th strain without tests: if you have papillomas or genital warts, then you are most likely a carrier of the papillomavirus virus, and the tests will confirm this.
High-risk oncobic viruses do not manifest themselves, and its presence in the body is difficult to determine visually - cytology analysis, cervical colposcopy and HPV tests are required. Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, high-risk oncotic strains are especially dangerous for women whose annual PAP (cytological analysis) test is not performed by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic, and at this time HPV is embedded in the cell and changes its structure, turning into malignant. Malignant cells help carry out cytological analysis, which is routinely examined by a gynecologist once every six months or a year. By the way, it is best not to lose them, especially those with HPV.
If I have HPV, do I have cancer?
Do not drive your horses. As we have already said, in their lifetime more than 80% of women on the planet have time to get HPV. Of course, not everyone has developed cervical cancer. It takes a long time from HPV infection to the development of a preexisting condition. Attend scheduled annual examinations with a gynecologist, test in time, and then the doctor will diagnose the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in cells long before the development of cancer.
Even if you have detected one or even some of the 14 highly oncogenic types of the virus, cytological analysis does not necessarily reveal the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, with good immunity, cells with signs of malignancy are rarely detected in the PAP test, so exhale, calm down and read on.
Is HPV treated?
"If HPV is so dangerous, then it needs to be treated urgently! " - this idea may have flashed through your head. Unfortunately, so far no medicine has been found to cure HPV once and for all. However, with immunomodulatory therapy and a proper lifestyle, you can achieve long-term remission and stop the destructive effect of the virus.
HPVtreatment must be comprehensive. In the presence of genital warts and genital warts, they must be removed by one of the methods: surgery, radio wave knife, laser or cross-construction.
Can't remove warts?
No, you cannot: the virus concentrates and survives in these neoplasms, making subsequent treatment less effective. In addition, you probably do not want to leave them: unpleasant sensations can develop during sex, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will have a negative impact on your self-esteem, self-confidence and, bothaccordingly, on your relationship with your partner.
Can they go through 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 complex of these measures can make warts disappear.
However, there is good news: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it ends on its own, losing an unequal battle for strong immunity. This occurs within two years of the moment of infection, and in a young, strong organism, the process naturally accelerates.
Is it possible to get an infection again from a sexual partner?
How! And condylomas you acquired earlier can also appear again. If your man is infected and has the external manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high probability that it will be repeated. All sexual infections must be treated by both partners: without exception: use barrier protection methods, remove neoplasms caused by HPV, maintain strong immunity and carry out appropriate therapy.
If you have detected HPV, do not hide it from your partner. It may not require complex treatment, but immunotherapy will only benefit.
If you are in doubt about HPV, we advise you not to panic and contact a specialist - an obstetrician-gynecologist.
HPV is really as old as the world. It is caused by the appearance of warts, papillomas, genital warts and other skin formations.
These viruses were grouped together in 1971. The number of detected HPV types is about 600. There may actually be many more. The only critical difference between these types is that some have a low onco risk, while others have a high onco risk. In modern medical practice, it is not usual to check 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 others - 6 and 11 - are responsible for the formation of genital warts, which must also be treated. 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 destructive action of HPV inside the cells.
How is it transmitted?
Sexual and family ways. And yet, sexual transmission is the most common. A woman is more than 50% more likely to become infected in the first years of sexual activity. The surest way to get HPV is to refrain from unprotected casual sex and use a condom. However, even a condom does not provide one hundred percent protection, since HPV is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes: through kissing, contact during foreplay and oral sex.
The likelihood of contracting positively increases with the number of sexual partners: the more actively you are sexually active, the more likely you are to become infected with HPV. Family transmission is also possible: using another person's towel or razor.
If your partner is infected with a virus, there is a high probability that you will also have it. Men with HPV develop genital warts and flat warts on the penis and groin. If you suddenly notice a strange growth on the skin, notify your boyfriend immediately and get the appropriate tests.
How do I know if I have HPV?
The easiest way to take a gynecological smear is for HPV and cytology. As we have already noted, only 16 strains of the virus are checked. You may suspect the 6th or 11th strain without tests: if you have papillomas or genital warts, then you are most likely a carrier of the papillomavirus virus, and the tests will confirm this.
High-risk oncobic viruses do not manifest themselves, and its presence in the body is difficult to determine visually - cytology analysis, cervical colposcopy and HPV tests are required. Due to the asymptomatic course of the disease, high-risk oncotic strains are especially dangerous for women whose annual PAP (cytological analysis) test is not performed by a gynecologist. The course of the disease is asymptomatic, and at this time HPV is embedded in the cell and changes its structure, turning into malignant. Malignant cells help carry out cytological analysis, which is routinely examined by a gynecologist once every six months or a year. By the way, it is best not to lose them, especially those with HPV.
If I have HPV, do I have cancer?
Do not drive your horses. As we have already said, in their lifetime more than 80% of women on the planet have time to get HPV. Of course, not everyone has developed cervical cancer. It takes a long time from HPV infection to the development of a preexisting condition. Attend scheduled annual examinations with a gynecologist, test in time, and then the doctor will diagnose the presence of HPV and the first malignant changes in cells long before the development of cancer.
Even if you have detected one or even some of the 14 highly oncogenic types of the virus, cytological analysis does not necessarily reveal the presence of malignant cells. At a young age, with good immunity, cells with signs of malignancy are rarely detected in the PAP test, so exhale, calm down and read on.
Is HPV treated?
"If HPV is so dangerous, then it needs to be treated urgently! " - this idea may have flashed through your head. Unfortunately, so far no medicine has been found to cure HPV once and for all. However, with immunomodulatory therapy and a proper lifestyle, you can achieve long-term remission and stop the destructive effect of the virus.
HPVtreatment must be comprehensive. In the presence of genital warts and genital warts, they must be removed by one of the methods: surgery, radio wave knife, laser or cross-construction.
Can't remove warts?
No, you cannot: the virus concentrates and survives in these neoplasms, making subsequent treatment less effective. In addition, you probably do not want to leave them: unpleasant sensations can develop during sex, not to mention the fact that such a cosmetic defect will have a negative impact on your self-esteem, self-confidence and, bothaccordingly, on your relationship with your partner.
Can they go through 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 complex of these measures can make warts disappear.
However, there is good news: HPV may not be treated, but in most cases it ends on its own, losing an unequal battle for strong immunity. This occurs within two years of the moment of infection, and in a young, strong organism, the process naturally accelerates.
Is it possible to get an infection again from a sexual partner?
How! And condylomas you acquired earlier can also appear again. If your man is infected and has the external manifestations of the virus - genital warts - there is a high probability that it will be repeated. All sexual infections must be treated by both partners: without exception: use barrier protection methods, remove neoplasms caused by HPV, maintain strong immunity and carry out appropriate therapy.
If you have detected HPV, do not hide it from your partner. It may not require complex treatment, but immunotherapy will only benefit.
If you are in doubt about HPV, we advise you not to panic and contact a specialist - an obstetrician-gynecologist.