HPV (human papillomavirus) – symptoms, stages of infection. HPV and cervical cancer

Proven content

In other words, HPV is the human papillomavirus, i.e. a precancerous condition or a cancer of the cervix, the role of which in the process of the development of these ailments is indisputable. We most often get the virus as a result of sexual contact or the sharing of things intended for personal hygiene, e.g. a towel, underwear. HPV virus can be low-oncogenic or highly oncogenic.

What is HPV?

HPV is the human papillomavirus that has been around since the dawn of time. The hypothesis that HPV influenced the formation of ovarian cancer was put forward in the 90s, and in the late XNUMXs this theory was generally accepted. Currently, the role of the human papillomavirus in the formation of cervical cancer is unquestionable.

The main transmission of infection is through any sexual contact. Transmission of the virus is also possible by using the same towel or wearing underwear from an infected person, but these are extremely rare cases. The human papillomavirus HPV mainly affects the epithelium. At Medonet Market, you can buy mail-order diagnostic tests for HPV that you can do without leaving your home.

The incidence of HPV infection decreases with age. The presence of cervical cancer is reported in women aged 45-59.

HPV – occurrence

The incidence of human papillomavirus is much higher than the incidence of cervical cancer. Persistent infection is a known cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer. human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV with a high oncogenic potential. Almost 2/3 of adults are exposed to HPV, but most are asymptomatic and regress on their own.

It is assumed that the time during which the process of carcinogenesis within the cervical epithelium as a result of HPV infection takes place ranges from 5 to approx. 10 years.

Types of HPV (human papillomavirus)

There are over 120 different strains of HPV known, of which over 40 are sexually transmitted. Most viruses cause no symptoms and the infection will clear up on its own after about two years. Certain types of the human papillomavirus cause the development of the cervix.

We divide HPV viruses into:

1. low-oncogenic (associated with a low risk of cervical cancer); viruses of this kind in both men and women cause benign papillary changes in the genital organs, the so-called Genital warts. This group of viruses includes, among others. types 6, 11, 13, 30, 32, 34, 40, 42, 43, 44, 53, 54, 55, 57, 61, 62, 64, 66, 68, 69 HPV.
2. highly oncogenic (associated with a high risk of cancer); these viruses are also associated with other rarer types of cancer, such as cancer of the vagina, vulva or anus (sometimes of the tongue or throat). Highly oncogenic viruses, e.g. types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 67.

HPV viruses such as 16 and 18 have the greatest share in the formation of cervical cancer, while HPV types 6 and 11 are the most involved in the formation of benign lesions. This does not mean, however, that only viruses from the highly carcinogenic group are responsible for the development of cervical cancer.

The causes of the HPV virus

There can be many reasons for the appearance of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer, including:

1. very early start of sexual initiation,
2. a large number of sexual partners in a short time,
3. coexistence with partners who have many partners,
4. lack of proper personal hygiene,
5. low level of education and not paying attention to taking care of one’s own health,
6. addiction to cigarettes,
7. use of oral hormonal contraception,
8. lack of a sufficient amount of vitamin A (retinoids) in the body,
9. weakening of the immune system.

You can counteract the sauces of immunity with dietary supplements. Check out DuoLife Vitamin C, rich in vitamins and plant extracts to strengthen the immune system.

The most common way of infection is through sexual contact (oral-genital, genital-genital or genital-anal). Of course, this is not the only way to become infected. The virus can also be transmitted through the use of the same underwear, towels or other personal care items, especially when the lesions are on the external genitalia. Theoretically, infection can even occur in a public toilet. Also, a mother who does not maintain adequate personal hygiene can transmit HPV to the baby’s skin and mucous membranes. There are known cases where one of the partners who are regularly mating is not infected with the virus, or both have different types of HPV.

There have been reports of benign lesions (condylomas) in the newborn and some reports of HPV in the umbilical cord blood of the baby. This means that infection is possible even in utero by ascending from the genital organs or (unlikely) through the bloodstream through the placenta.

A venereologist is a specialist in venereal diseases. If you have symptoms indicative of sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV infection, and you are under treatment, you can schedule an online teleconsultation with your venereologist.

HPV (human papillomavirus) – phases of infection

The first stage of human papillomavirus infection is the period from infection to the first changes in the cervical or vaginal epithelium. At this stage, the presence of the virus can only be ascertained through a specialized virological test, the task of which is to detect HPV DNA particles. In the first phase of infection, pap smear tests are generally good.

The latency phase may last for a very long time (even up to several years) and go into the subclinical phaseduring which more or less changes are visible on the epithelium and can be diagnosed by colposcopy or cytology.

The last phase of HPV infection is the clinical phase, in which benign lesions are visible to the naked eye, they are condylomas, cancer of the cervix or vagina and vulva.

Also, check what tests you need to do to rule out sexually transmitted diseases.

Incidence of HPV

The death rate from cervical cancer has not changed significantly for several decades, as the chances of surviving the disease in Poland are decreasing. Finland had similar results, but the introduction of skiring research had a positive effect on its statistics. These results show that the most effective treatment of cervical cancer is prophylaxis (e.g. smear test, colposcopy).

1. What is colposcopy?

Symptoms of HPV infection

A characteristic feature of human papillomavirus infection in the vagina, cervix and vulva is the absence of symptoms in both the latent and subclinical stages of infection. The same is true for men who are also asymptomatic. You can buy the HPV genetic testing package for men on Medonet Market.

The first symptoms appear when papillary lesions, condylomas as well as precancerous and early cancerous lesions are visible “with the naked eye”. Then patients complain of symptoms in the form of:

1. itching
2. baking,
3. purulent discharge.

Diagnosing human HPV papillomavirus

The diagnosis of HPV is confirmed by cytological and colposcopic examinations – their positive result is unequivocal in the diagnosis of the disease. Sometimes the so-called microcolpohysteroscopic examination. You can have a pap smear test without leaving your home by purchasing it at medonetmarket.pl.

The most reliable diagnostic method is the HPV Nucleagen DNA test and molecular methods based on the latest Real Time PCR technology. These are genetic tests, thanks to which it is possible to determine exactly what type of HPV we have been infected with. Thanks to this test, it is possible to detect the virus very early, so that the correct treatment can be started as soon as possible.

1. What should you know about venereal diseases?

The test is indicated primarily for women who are sexually active (regardless of the number of sexual partners and the number of intercourse). The HPV test should also be performed by men who have had more than one sexual partner (HPV in men can cause penile cancer). In addition, a man carrying the virus can infect his partner.

The indications for an HPV test are:

1. previous treatment of cervical dysplasia,
2. treatment of cervical cancer,
3. cancer prevention,
4. disturbing cytology results (to verify them),
5. recurring inflammation of the genital tract (e.g. inflammation of the glans or urethra),
6. pregnancy (HPV can be passed on to a child and cause recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis). HPV in pregnant women also poses a risk that the pregnancy will not be delivered. In addition, during delivery, the infection can be passed on to the baby through the genital tract of an infected mother. There are also opinions that the infection could be transmitted to the fetus even during caesarean section. If you are planning a baby, perform a package of laboratory tests dedicated to future mothers.

HPV infection prevention and treatment options

Changes caused by exposure to HPV often self-remission or as a result of topical anti-inflammatory treatment (pregnancy) or with hormones (menopause). If the lesions are not eliminated after treatment, surgical treatment should be considered. For example, a technique of local tissue destruction (cryocoagulation or CO laser vaporization) can be used₂) or excision of the lesion with a high-frequency electric loop (LLETZ).

In the case of high-grade dysplastic changes, the primary anti-HPV surgery is cervical conization. The uterus is excised only when, apart from high-grade dysplastic changes, there are other indications for this procedure. In cervical cancer with early invasion, i.e. invisible to the naked eye, in women who want to give birth, it is possible to perform surgical procedures allowing for the preservation of the uterus and the possibility of procreation.

In the case of malignant neoplasms in more advanced stages, i.e. to the clinical stage IIA, radical removal of the uterus is usually performed along with the pelvic lymph nodes, and sometimes also the peraortic ones. Sometimes surgery is supplemented with radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy.

1. Removal of the uterus – what does it mean?

Local chemical solutions, such as Condylin, are used in the acuminata (especially the vulva). The effectiveness of this type of drugs varies, and the disease recurs very often. Another method used in the treatment of condylomas is cryocoagulation, i.e. laser vaporization of lesions, which gives very good results. In every person with HPV infection, the use of vitamin A and treatment that improves immunity should be additionally recommended.

In even more advanced cervical cancer, i.e. when the tumor infiltrates the endometrium and reaches the pelvic bones, treatment is usually started with radiotherapy.

Preventing the development of the human papillomavirus (HPV)

Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of HPV infection, there is some way to reduce it. The most important rule is to avoid accidental sexual contact, especially without protection. Of course, the use of condoms reduces the risk of HPV infection in some way, but (which should be remembered) it does not provide XNUMX% protection. Therefore, it is very important to educate young people sexually and to encourage them to avoid too early initiation.

1. Can you get pregnant during the infertile days?

In prophylaxis, healthy eating is also important (a diet containing a large amount of vitamins, especially vitamin A) and avoiding smoking. In addition, regular colposcopic and cytological examinations should be taken into account. You can buy LBC liquid cytology along with a gynecological consultation at Medonet Market.

In addition, there are vaccinations against some types of HPV, although their effectiveness is still uncertain and therefore cannot be used in place of the aforementioned prophylactic methods.

Learn more about immunization: HPV vaccine – why is it worth taking?

HPV – summary

1. Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (although there are also other routes of transmission of this infection). If you are sexually active, get diagnostic tests for STIs to be confident in your health.

2. The development of cervical cancer may take up to several years. For this reason, it is easy to detect with regular colposcopic and cytological examinations. Virological tests are also performed.

3. The characteristic feature of HPV infection in the vulva, vagina and cervix is ​​the lack of specific symptoms.

4. Infection diagnosis is based on HPV DNA examination combined with histology, colposcopy and cytology.

5. Infection with HPV usually poses no threat to pregnancy and the development of the fetus.

6. HPV types 16 and 18 infections are the main contributors to the development of cervical cancer.

7. Most human papillomavirus infections resolve spontaneously within 12-24 months (both low-oncogenic and highly oncogenic groups).

8. In the prevention of HPV, the most important thing is to maintain the hygiene of both mental and physical (sexual) life.

9. Cervical cancer diagnosed at an early stage is completely curable.

10. Any human papillomavirus infection should be treated as a potential risk that it will develop into a tumor. Treatment of infection depends on the type of virus and the location of the process and the degree of threat that the lesion will become malignant.

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