Ways of infection with HPV. Papillomavirus infection - is it so terrible and how to recognize it. Can HPV be passed on to a child?

types of papillomavirus affect the genitals

HPV in the body: how it penetrates and what it does

The virus enters the body through microdamages of the skin and mucous membranes. The wounds may be so small that they cannot be seen. with a simple glance. Let's see how this happens.

The skin is a rather complex organ. Her the main task- protect the body from any external influence. In addition to skin cells, other forces are also involved in defense - bacteria that live on the surface of the skin, and cells that are responsible for immune defense (for example, macrophages and leukocytes).

But it all works as long as the skin barriers remain strong. Any, even the most insignificant damage or inflammation of the skin, breaks the barrier, and an infection can enter the body. Especially if it's a tiny virus.

Once in the body, papillomavirus invades the cells of the epithelium (upper layer of the skin) and mucous membranes. HPV affects only these cells - it does not live in internal organs or in the blood.

The epithelium consists of several layers. The virus is introduced into young skin cells, which are created in the lowest layer of the epithelium. There, the infection has been hidden for some time. It is impossible to say exactly how long her "sleep" will last - it can be several weeks or several years. But after hibernation HPV starts to multiply.

As the layers of the epithelium are renewed, all young cells gradually "rise" to the surface of the skin. Together with the cell rises and HPV— layer by layer. As a result, it ends up at the top and grows into a wart.

The word "reproduce" is not very suitable for viruses. Not being full-fledged living organisms, viruses do not reproduce themselves, but simply force the host cell to produce new viral particles. This process is called "replication".

Often the human immune system completely cleanses the body of the virus. The time required for this may vary: it depends on the type of virus and the strength immune protection, but usually is 1-3 years. Sometimes, though less often, HPV stays in the skin for a long time. In such cases, doctors speak of chronic course infections.

Cells that are damaged by the virus also react differently to its activity. Some cells simply die and are replaced by new ones. In other cells, complex changes in their structure and functions occur - for example, this is how precancerous changes occur in the cells of the cervix. Still others, under the influence of the virus, begin to randomly divide and cause tissue growth - papillomas and condylomas appear.

Another variant of the development of events has been described and proven - when the virus enters the body, but does not cause any changes in the cells, and after a while it completely disappears.

The likelihood of infection and oncogenicity of the virus

HPV prevention

Unfortunately, a person does not develop permanent immunity to the papillomavirus. Antibodies to the virus cease to appear for 1.5-2 years. This means that after this time a person can get sick again. It is also bad that even this short immunity is formed only to a certain type of viruses, which means that infection with other strains is possible at any time, regardless of recovery.

Both vaccines are quite effective. According to reliable data, they protect against infection with these types of virus in 95-99% of cases. However, for this, a number of conditions must be met. For example, vaccines will not protect against a virus if it is already in the body: that is, if a person is already infected with a type 16 virus, then vaccines against this particular type will be ineffective. So get vaccinated HPV should be at an age when a person is not yet sexually active.

It is also worth remembering that vaccines are ineffective against other types of the virus - and there are more than 100 of them - so the risk of infection with them remains in any case.

Another unpleasant moment is the duration of the vaccine. So far it is only 5 years old. Whether a longer-acting vaccine will ever be created remains to be seen.

HPV infection means that one or more of the 100 different types of viruses enter the human body, causing the development of warts in different parts body. Due to the fact that infection with papilloma is asymptomatic, suspicions that there is a virus in the body appear immediately after the growth of warts. And about how they become infected with the human papillomavirus, doctors learned only at the beginning of the last century.

Human papillomavirus (HPV): ways and means of infection

HPV is contagious due to its ability to relatively for a long time resist immunity. Also, the virus can quickly make a large number of copies of itself in the host cell. The infection process itself is very simple: the virus enters the body, namely the cells of the basal layer of the skin. Since it is easiest to get HPV during sexual intercourse, the infection immediately enters the wet mucous membrane. Such an environment is very conducive to accelerated viral DNA replication. It is known for certain that developed benign papillomas are contagious and can eventually degenerate into cancerous ones. However, the detailed mechanisms of malignancy are still not understood. There is a certain trigger that provokes damage to the DNA of the virus and somehow exposes the mutated cell to replication.

In most cases, infection with the human papillomavirus occurs during unprotected intercourse. Equally dangerous is vaginal and anal sex. It is also possible to become infected with HPV during oral sex (especially if the mucous membranes of the genitals or mouth have been damaged). How else do they get infected with papilloma? Despite the fact that in most cases papillomavirus enters the body sexually, there are several more possible ways catch an infection. For example, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact healthy skin with infected mucous membranes or warts. However, for a long time, doctors answered the question “is it possible to get HPV through household contacts?” in the negative. This is due to the fact that for infection several factors must coincide at once:

• there should be microtraumas on the skin;
• before or after contact were not used disinfectants;
• the carrier of the infection was not taking antiviral drugs.

For example, if both people have damaged mucous membranes oral cavity, and one of them is a carrier, then even an ordinary kiss can be dangerous, as you can get infected with papillomavirus (HPV). Papillomavirus is also contagious to the fetus. An infected mother can pass HPV to her baby during the birth process. Since the immune system of the newborn is rather weak, the infection quickly manifests itself in the form of warts in the throat or mouth (diagnosis with medical point vision sounds like papillomatosis of the larynx). Since HPV infection occurs precisely during the passage of the baby through birth canal, some experts recommend abandoning natural childbirth in favor caesarean section.

Very often, dermatologists are asked the question: “is it possible to get infected with papilloma by exchanging personal items with the patient?”. Doctors admit such a possibility, but emphasize that official studies have not confirmed this theory. Also, condoms do not guarantee complete safety. Due to the fact that the size of the virus is almost ten times smaller than the distance between the molecular pores of latex, condoms only reduce the likelihood of HPV infection, but do not provide complete protection.

How not to get infected with papillomavirus?

Knowing how you can get infected with papillomavirus, you need to remember the methods of protection against infection. The most radical, but at the same time effective method- rejection of any sexual activity. Of course, condoms can act as a protective agent, but as mentioned above, they do not completely exclude the possibility that the human papillomavirus enters the body. Infection is possible even with petting, so you can fully protect yourself from infection only by refusing any sexual contact. However, only those who already have serious problems with immunity (for example, patients who have undergone organ transplantation, infected with HIV / AIDS, or suffering from cancer). The rest can be recommended to minimize the number of sexual partners. Studies have shown that an eight-month interval between sexual partners allows the body to recover and destroy possible foreign organisms.

Also, studies have shown that men who have been circumcised foreskin, have reduced risk HPV infection. The ways and means of contracting other sexually transmitted infections are quite similar, so circumcision will be a good prevention in general. Those who are concerned about whether HPV is contagious through household contact should be especially careful about people who have multiple warts. There is a small chance that the infection may pass to healthy person after touching the growth to the skin with microtraumas. If such contact nevertheless occurred, then it is worth treating the skin alcohol solution and accept antiviral agent. But it happens that the warts are not visible to the naked eye (especially if they are located on the sole, or between the toes). When exchanging shoes, or when walking in public baths, barefoot pools, there is a small chance that papilloma will appear. Methods of infection in this case are classified as household. For prevention, it is enough to put on only your own shoes, or wear socks, as well as purchase special slippers and shoe covers for those places where it is recommended to walk barefoot. Such simple rules are also effective in the fight against fungal diseases.

Diagnosis and prevention of infection

Having learned about whether the papilloma is contagious, the question arises - how to identify it in time. To any person who leads active image sexual life, it is recommended to regularly take a cervical smear, or Pap test. Simple and practical painless procedure will allow you to quickly identify not only the presence of the virus in the body, but also to determine initial signs cancer. In order to take a swab, a laboratory assistant or nurse with the help of special device will dilate the vagina or urethra (if a man is being examined), after which it will insert a small brush. After making two or three forward movements, the specialist will collect necessary material for studying. Young girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 25 may be offered vaccination to prevent infection with papillomavirus. The liquid used for inoculation contains modified DNA of the virus. They will not be able to cause the development of warts, but at the same time they will force the body to produce antibodies to fight the infection. Thus, specific immunity will be formed, which is activated as soon as the real virus enters the body. However, you need to prepare for the fact that quite unpleasant side effects may develop after vaccination, such as:

• headache;
• severe dizziness;
• sharp pains in a stomach;
• diarrhea;
• pain at the puncture site;
• muscle pain.

The vaccines Cervarix and Gardasil are used.

It is one of the most popular infections among sexually transmitted infections. Since the papillomavirus (HPV) is also transmitted through household contacts, most infected people do not even realize that they are infected and dangerous to their sexual partners. However, do not worry too much if HPV was detected in the analyzes, since it is transmitted to almost every second sexually active adult at least once in a lifetime. HPV is transmitted from woman to man and vice versa.

Papillomavirus (HPV): is it sexually transmitted? What are the statistics?

The fact that papilloma is sexually transmitted is considered a well-known fact. However, it is a mistake to assume that only those people who have a large number of partners at the same time are at risk. In fact, HPV transmission threatens any person who has had at least one sexual contact (including same-sex). In addition, HPV is transmitted through a condom, so you can not be completely sure of your health. But it will be very reckless to refuse latex protection, because a condom (with correct use) reduces the risk of HPV transmission by almost 90%. At the same time, latex condoms provide a higher degree of protection than those made from other materials. Also, a female condom, which is inserted into the vagina, can be used as a barrier protection. The infection is quite insidious and can be present in the blood for several decades without showing any symptoms. It often happens that papillomavirus is sexually transmitted at first contact and remains in the body even if the carrier has not had more sex for many years. However, it is worth saying that in most cases, the immune system kills the virus within the first year after infection.

As far as statistics are concerned, there are many ways transmission of HPV lead to the this moment about 80% of the world's population is infected. Also, papillomavirus is detected in 1.5 billion people every year, the transmission of which is not limited to sexual contact alone.

Genital warts, papilloma: how is it transmitted?

Different strains of HPV provoke a variety of types of neoplasms: from plantar warts to papillomas on mucous membranes and genital warts in the genital area. Answering the question: “how and whether HPV is transmitted to men”, experts focus on the fact that representatives strong half humanity are more often asymptomatic carriers. If some growths appear, then they are mainly genital warts. Since HPV is most often transmitted to men through oral sex, neoplasms should be looked for near the penis, scrotum or anus. Genital warts look like swollen oval skin growths. But most often they are grouped and form a growth that looks like a head of cauliflower. They provoke similar growths of HPV type 16.18 (as described above). Genital warts are flesh or pinkish in color and in rare cases may itch, bleed, burn, or hurt.

Human pointed papilloma (since it is transmitted mainly sexually) is easy to detect. Since it is possible to become infected even through close contact without sex (it is enough to touch the affected genitals, which often happens during petting), it is worth carefully examining the skin of a new partner. Of course, it is better to turn such an “examination” into a game, or combine it with a massage. If the relationship is trusting, then you can offer the partner to take tests for STIs together, explaining why the human papillomavirus is dangerous and how it is transmitted.

HPV: is it transmitted without sex?

To the question "is the human papillomavirus transmitted household way", every specialist will answer in the affirmative. Until recently, it was believed that it was enough to practice safe sex (use condoms, avoid direct contact with mucous membranes, etc.) to prevent HPV infection in women and men, since the infection is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. If you additionally undergo regular examinations at the gynecologist, then you can not worry about the appearance of genital warts at all. However, this reasoning is fundamentally wrong. Latest Research human papillomavirus and the ways of its transmission prove that the infection can be even in those who have never had intimate relationships. This leads to the conclusion that HPV is transmitted by household means. Users of sex toys are at risk. Most of them are made of a material that does not absorb lubricant, so after contact with an infected mucosa, the virus remains on the surface of the toy, and easily gets through microtraumas on the skin to a healthy person.

In general, any wet surface of the body is an excellent environment for infection, so there was a myth that HPV is transmitted through saliva, a kiss. In fact, contacts of this kind are not dangerous, but only if there are no wounds in the mouth of both kissers. If both partners have small sores in their mouths, then there is indeed a risk of infection (albeit minimal). Also, some researchers believe that even contact with an infected surface will be enough for infection. For example, couches in a gynecologist's office, shelves in a sauna, benches in public showers are considered high-risk areas. Of course, infection is possible if damaged mucous membranes of the genital organs come into contact with infected surfaces. To prevent infection, it is enough to always wear underwear, lay a clean towel, or disinfect suspicious surfaces yourself. You can "catch" the infection even in gym. For example, if a carrier in ultra-short shorts has been exercising for a long time on an exercise bike, then the virus can be transmitted to the next visitor who touches a sweaty seat with a microtrauma. Of course, the risks of such infection are equal to hundredths of a percent, but it is still better to stick to elementary rules hygiene. There is nothing wrong with cleaning any surfaces that a person is going to sit on. For this purpose, chlorhexidine, alcohol, disinfectant solutions are suitable.

Can HPV be transmitted to a child and how to prevent infection?

If a newborn has warts on the body, then this means that the infection occurred during passage through the birth canal. Indeed, papillomavirus is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. It is a mistake to assume that HPV is inherited, because even if both parents were carriers of the virus, the baby will be absolutely healthy, especially if the delivery was carried out by caesarean section. Doctors will find out whether the papilloma has been transmitted to the newborn, just a few days after delivery. After all, the immunity of babies is very weak, and warty growths appear literally in 100% of cases almost immediately.

Parents should be wary if warts appear in the genital area of ​​​​the child school age. Despite the various ways HPV is transmitted, growths on the genitals can be evidence of sexual contact. A careful conversation with the child will be enough, since the human papillomavirus is transmitted to those who have not yet had sexual contact (by household). For example, children may touch the warts of their friends, or infected blood may get on the mucous membranes during a school fight. The question "what is human papilloma and how is it transmitted to children?" does not bother those parents who agreed to the vaccination. The injection can be done when the child reaches the age of nine. Vaccination schedule for patients under 14 years of age:

• Two injections 12 months apart. For teens and young adults aged 15 to 26:
• Three injections every six months. However, vaccines have many side effects, which makes parents think about the advisability of their use, and also about whether papillomavirus is transmitted after vaccination? Doctors do allow infection after receiving vaccinations. After all, the drugs do not work on those who have previously been infected with an infection at least once. Also, the vaccine was developed relatively recently and does not protect against all types of the virus.

Features of the treatment and prevention of papillomavirus in children and adolescents

The immune system in school-age children quickly copes with the infection. But babies have to be helped to cope with growths using special physiotherapy procedures, such as cryotherapy or treatment with special external agents. But Special attention should be given to teenagers who are undergoing treatment for genital warts. You need to ask your doctor to prescribe additional tests to others venereal diseases and talk about contraception. Not all parents can calmly talk with an adult child about venereal diseases, but do not break into a cry and make accusations. It is necessary to tell the child: how the papillomavirus is transmitted, that it can enter the body through household contacts. But special attention should be focused on the fact that in 95% of cases, unprotected sexual intercourse is to blame for the infection. Adolescent girls who have become sexually active should be encouraged to undergo regular full gynecological examination and get tested for STIs. The sooner a girl gets used to such delicate checks, the greater the chance of maintaining her health.

All people need to know how HPV is transmitted, because recently this problem is becoming more and more common. You need to be very careful and know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted, so as not to get sick with this unpleasant disease yourself.

Papillomavirus - what is it

HPV is the human papillomavirus. AT modern world specialists distinguish about 200 different types papillomavirus, more often than others, type No. 16 and 18 can be found, which can cause the development of cervical cancer. If we talk about other types of HPV, then, for example, type No. 6 or No. 11 can provoke the appearance of genital warts, this disease is called condylomatosis. Today there is no evidence that warts cause cancer in women, but still infected person feels very uncomfortable, because there is a clearly defined cosmetic defect. Thus, a person becomes more insecure, and his self-esteem drops very much.

How is the virus transmitted?

As a rule, papillomavirus can be transmitted sexually. It does not matter what type of sex you practice: oral, anal or regular genital. More often you can meet situations when a man infects a woman, but as practice shows recent years, the reverse cases have become no less rare.

Most people may wonder if papillomavirus can be transmitted in any other way than sexually. Today, doctors say that the disease can also be transmitted by household means, through common household items, in common areas. Such cases are much less common, but still you need to remember about them and be as careful as possible so as not to infect anyone or not get infected yourself. This type of transmission of the disease, as non-sexual, has been studied very poorly, because only in isolated cases it is possible to determine exactly when the infection occurred, because the symptoms can appear already several months after the virus enters the human body.

Papillomaviruses can be transmitted if an infected person and a healthy person use the same hygiene products, toilet items, or directly during touching. If there are papillomas on the mucous membrane, for example, of the lips, then the transmission path will be through a kiss.

In addition, experts argue that the disease is transmitted from mother to child either during pregnancy, or directly during childbirth. In some cases, HPV can be transmitted at an older age from parents to their children or between children in a large community.

No one rules out the transmission of the virus and by airborne droplets, because there were cases when hospital workers who took part in operations for HPV treatment in patients.

There is some evidence that people can become infected while cutting meat or fish. Doctors call a similar variant of the disease "butcher's warts". This is very rare, but such a scenario is still possible.

Risk factors

So, to the factors that can provoke further development diseases of the human papillomavirus and the direct manifestation of all symptoms, the following can be attributed:

• weak immunity after a person has had an inflammatory or infectious disease;
• too much long period taking hormonal contraceptives;
• a person suffers from urogenital infections that contribute to more rapid development HPV;
• varying degrees of beriberi, especially lack of vitamin A;
• smoking;
• drinking alcohol in large quantities and very often;
• permanent stressful situations or excitement.

An interesting fact is that there is a very big risk to become infected with HPV, because about half of the entire sexual population has this disease of varying degrees of development.

What happens in the body after infection?

If a we are talking about the infection of a woman, then first of all, in the deeper layers of the cervix, more and more cells appear that are infected with this virus. When the number of these cells in the skin or even on the mucous membrane is already large enough, there is a noticeable change in the functions that epithelial cells perform.

After that, very rapid cell division occurs, which is not controlled by anything. The affected area of ​​the skin begins to grow and eventually turns into genital warts. As numerous practice shows, these formations appear simultaneously. It can be a few genital warts or even a few dozen. It is very rare to find situations where dangerous formations appear for two or more days. Of course, this is very, very rare.

If speak about manifestation of HPV in men, genital warts occur in most cases on the coronal groove of the penis or directly on the frenulum. In rare cases, they can form on the head, the body of the penis of a man, or on the lips of the opening of the urethra. In addition, there are cases when condylomas occur directly in urethra men. The first symptoms that may occur in this case are problems with urination. In addition, the shape of the urine stream in a man changes, you can see different degrees her splashing. Doctors can feel warts of medium or large size in both the male urethra and the female body.

Genital warts appear in women, usually on the external genitalia or on the labia minora. It is very rare to find cases of their development on the labia majora or in the vagina, on the cervix, near or in the urethra, in the perineum, in the anus. This disease only in isolated cases can provoke the development of genital warts in the throat or oral cavity of a woman.

The virus infects normal cells very strongly human body, and under them negative influence they change their functions. If they are not detected and removed in time, then quickly enough these neoplasms can turn into oncology and directly into cancer cells. As numerous practice shows, cells can be reborn over many years, and at the same time there will be absolutely no symptoms, up to last stage development of the problem, when the treatment will no longer bring a significant result.

Modern methods of diagnosing papillomavirus

In order to detect the presence of such a serious disease as HPV, today several fairly effective diagnostic methods are used, namely:

1. PCR diagnosis.
2. Colposcopy.
3. Biopsy of tissues of the cervix, vagina.
4. Cytology.

PCR diagnosis is enough modern method polymerase chain reaction, with which you can detect the DNA virus in the human body. In order to spend this procedure, is necessary with the help of special device in the form of a probe, take a microscopic scraping from the cells. Using this method, you can identify 12 different types of diseases that can provoke the formation of cancer cells.

What is interesting is that this method is highly sensitive and shows the result in real time. This means that it is possible to determine the most accurate amount of DNA that is affected by HPV. The efficiency of this diagnostic method is approximately 98%.

Colposcopy is performed using a special microscope called a colposcope. With it, you can study very carefully appearance woman's cervix. It increases the surface this body to such an extent that small papillae with a capillary inside become visible. In order to determine the presence of HPV, it is necessary to treat the surface with a solution acetic acid(3%). As a result of this, capillary spasm will occur, and condylomas will still have White color. Before acid enters the cervix, it looks like pink spot, after exposure to acid, you can notice all the pathologies that are associated with papillomavirus.

For this type of diagnosis, Lugol's solution can also be used. Thus, it is possible to more clearly define the boundaries of the spread of the virus, because this solution can only stain cervical cells, but not dangerous neoplasms.

The cytological diagnostic method implies a thorough examination of cells, during which even minimal changes in them can be noticed. For this study, you need to take cells from the cervix, as well as from the cervical canal.

The cytological method is used only for early stage development of a disease or in order to exclude the presence of diseases that can cause cancer. Therefore, as a rule, for many women, specialists can prescribe a cytological examination at least once a year. During the examination, the doctor, using special tools, takes several cells and then they are examined for the presence of any specific changes in them.

During a biopsy, not cells are taken for study, but a small piece of tissue. In this case, not only the study of the structure of the cells takes place, but it is also established whether the layers of the tissue are correctly located, which plays a very important role. important role in the diagnosis of oncology. The process is quite complicated, but it will allow you to learn not only about the presence of HPV but also about other diseases, if any. The diagnostic accuracy in this case is almost 100%.

Absolutely all experts recommend people who lead sexual life or are over the age of 19, once a year to conduct a cytological examination. Many factors (not necessarily sexual intercourse) can cause the appearance of HPV, and later oncology.

As practice shows, only one diagnostic method is practically not used. If there is at least minimal suspicion of HPV or another pathology, then several different methods examinations and many tests that will later help cure the disease.

Should both partners be treated?

To date, many experts note the fact that susceptibility to such a disease as the papillomavirus has increased several times in humans. Cases are becoming more common. Wherein incubation period HPV development can be either one or five months. It is worth noting that a partner can become infected with this problem in almost 70% of all cases.

Therefore, if one of the partners is sick with HPV, then, as in cases with other sexually transmitted diseases, both should be examined.

Remember that a condom cannot protect against papillomavirus, and therefore you need to be extremely careful.

HPV is very serious illness, which not only has an extremely negative impact on human health, but also on his life in general. Besides, this disease greatly increases the risk of developing cancer, especially for women. Therefore, do not have promiscuity, eat right, use personal hygiene products. Compliance simple rules help you avoid such a common disease as the papillomavirus.

In order to prevent the disease from starting in case of infection, regularly check with a doctor and take tests. At the first manifestations of symptoms, treatment should be started immediately if the disease has not been detected earlier.

(or HPV - Human Papillomavirus) is transmitted only from person to person. According to statistics in our country, 60% of the population is infected with this virus. And the reason for this widespread viral infection are various ways of its transmission.

According to many HPV people It is transmitted only sexually through vaginal, anal and oral-genital sexual intercourse. However, there is also the possibility contact way transmission of this infection - through contact in everyday life and public places.

Infection with this virus causes the appearance of characteristic growths on the skin and mucous membranes. About 130 strains of HPV are now known, and most of them provoke the appearance of neoplasms in certain places. This means that the appearance of warts on the skin of the hands will not cause infection of the genitals.

The defeat of the genital organs can be provoked by 30 strains of the virus and about 20 of them are oncogenic. Most people know that the presence of the human papillomavirus in the body can cause cancer diseases genital organs, but even this information does not always become the reason for going to the doctor to identify and treat the infection. The culprits of this attitude to their health are numerous myths about HPV. In this article, we will introduce you to 12 of them, and you will be able to make the right decision about the need for treatment.

Myth #1: Using a condom eliminates the risk of contracting HPV

Condom-protected sex significantly reduces the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, but is not 100% safe. The papilloma virus can be transmitted through any contact of the mucous membranes - ordinary kissing, oral-genital sex or the use of common hygiene items.

Conclusion: condoms should be used for safe sex, but do not cancel regular examinations by a doctor for timely detection sexually transmitted diseases (including HPV).

Myth #2: Women are more likely to get HPV

According to statistics, HPV is indeed more often detected in women, but both men and children are at risk of infection. The results of mass screening studies show that this infection is detected in 40-50% of women and men who have an active sex life, and the likelihood of contracting the virus when unprotected sex is 60-66%.

Conclusion
Both women and men of any age should undergo regular examinations to detect human papillomavirus infection.

Myth #3: HPV detection in a monogamous couple indicates cheating on one of the partners

It was this myth that gave rise to the appearance of incorrect conclusions about cheating in couples and led to the disintegration of many families. However, the detection of HPV is not in all cases associated with partner infidelity. Genital papillomavirus infection can long time be hidden in the body. Such a course can be observed for many weeks, years and even decades.

Conclusion
Identification of HPV is not always a fact of betrayal of a partner. The infection may not manifest itself for many years and is detected by chance during scheduled checkups or the treatment of other diseases. With the help of analysis, it is possible to determine the type of HPV, but not a single examination method allows you to establish the duration of the virus in the body or to identify which of the partners became the "culprit" of its appearance. Infection with the virus can occur at any time in life (including before pairing).

Myth #4: Older women don't need to get tested for HPV

Many women after the onset of menopause not only do not get tested for HPV, but also rarely visit a gynecologist. However, statistics indicate high risk such fatal errors: 41% of patients with cervical cancer die at the age of 65 years and older, and one in four cases of this disease is detected at this age.

Conclusion
Oncogenic types of human papillomavirus may begin to reappear after years hidden in the body. Women of any age should visit their gynecologist regularly for preventive examinations, and tests to detect HPV must be taken once every 3-5 years at the age of 30-65 years.

Myth #5: All types of HPV can cause genital cancer.

Scientists have been able to identify more than 130 types of HPV, and about 30 of them are capable of infecting the genitals. There are two main groups of HPV:

• highly oncogenic viruses - these include strains 16, 18.31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 and 82, they are detected in 95-100% of cases;
• low-oncogenic viruses - these include strains 6, 11, 36, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47 and 50, they are more often detected in flat and genital warts, initial stages dysplasia and very rarely with invasive.

Conclusion
Many strains of the papillomavirus cause no problems and self-heal a few months after the onset of symptoms, and 90% of them are eliminated after 2 years. And only some strains of HPV are oncogenic and are capable of provoking the degeneration of cells into cancerous ones.

Myth #6: Genital warts will cause cervical cancer.

Appear due to infection with different strains of the papillomavirus. Not all of them are oncogenic, and therefore cervical cancer does not develop in all cases.

Conclusion
To make predictions about the likelihood of occurrence cancerous tumor when papillomavirus infection is detected, an analysis is necessary to determine the type of virus. Cervical cancer can only be provoked by its oncogenic strains - 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68. In 94% of cases, the development of a cancerous tumor causes 16 or 18 strains.

Myth number 7: the detection of an oncogenic virus in the analyzes indicates the development of cervical cancer

HPV can stay in the body for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. Its detection in the analyzes is not always a symptom of the development of cancer or a precancerous condition. The appearance of HPV always indicates a decrease in immunity.

Conclusion
Only results can confirm the diagnosis of cervical cancer histological examination biopsy tissues. The detection of oncogenic or other strains of HPV in the absence of such confirmation indicates a decrease in immunity and an increase in the number of viruses. In such cases, a woman should pay attention to the condition immune system and provide supportive care.

Myth #8: HPV can be avoided due to lack of data on the effectiveness of the vaccine

This myth appeared because HPV vaccines really cannot protect a person from infection with all strains of the virus. However, the Cervarix and Gardasil vaccines are able to prevent infection with the most oncogenic types 16 and 18 of the virus, and Gardasil can prevent infection with other types, too. causing development genital warts.

Conclusion
should be done because vaccines can protect against the most dangerous types of virus that cause cancer. It is most effective to carry out such vaccinations to adolescents before the onset of sexual activity. However, even at a different age, the effectiveness of vaccination will remain high. Even if a woman has been infected with one of the HPV strains throughout her life, the vaccine can protect against infection with other types.

Myth #9: Pap tests are more effective than vaccinations

Pap smear and HPV vaccination are different procedures and cannot be compared. A smear allows you to identify mutations that have already appeared or precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. And vaccination makes it possible to prevent infection with oncogenic types of HPV and the development of cancer.

Conclusion
HPV vaccination is effective in preventing the development of cervical cancer. It is much more expedient to carry out this procedure than to wait for the beginning of the transformation of cells into cancer cells.

Myth number 10: after the removal of genital warts, a person cannot infect a sexual partner with them

Some experts believe that after removal, the risk of infection of the sexual partner is reduced. In the surgical treatment of induced HPV formations excised only most of infectious tissues. However, the virus remains in the human body, and people with warts removed or not removed can be a source of infection.

Conclusion
The tissues surrounding the removed condyloma contain the virus, and surgical treatment of these neoplasms does not reduce the risk of HPV infection to zero. In most cases, getting rid of genital warts is carried out to exclude physical and moral suffering from the patient's life, but after the operation, the virus remains in the body and the risk of infection of the sexual partner remains.

Myth #11: You can get rid of HPV completely.

So far, scientists have not been able to create a drug that can completely eliminate the virus from the human body. modern medicine can offer effective ways treatment of diseases caused by HPV. With minimally invasive or surgical techniques you can get rid of warts, genital warts or. For this, chemical coagulation, electrocoagulation, laser treatment, cryodestruction, a radio wave knife or a surgical scalpel are used. But it is completely impossible to “kill” the virus with the help of an operation or the appointment of pharmacological drugs.

In some cases, to deactivate the virus, it is enough to carry out surgical treatment and measures to improve immunity. Vitaminized nutrition, active lifestyle, walks on fresh air and the absence of stress can contribute to the normalization of the functions of the immune system, and the virus will not be detected in the tests. But in some cases, patients are recommended a therapy regimen aimed at increasing immunity. For this, interferon preparations, non-specific immunomodulators, indinol and some specific antiviral agents can be used.

Conclusion
Even after treatment for diseases caused by HPV, the virus remains in the body. To deactivate it, it is recommended to carry out treatment and measures aimed at increasing immunity. And patients who have been diagnosed with papillomavirus infection should regularly undergo examinations and follow all the doctor's recommendations.

Myth #12: Pregnant women with HPV always have babies with respiratory papillomatosis

The risk of HPV infection during childbirth exists, but it is not high. When passing through the birth canal, infection with only two specific types of the virus is possible - 6 and 11. They are detected in women with genital warts. When a child receives these HPVs and the infection takes root, respiratory papillomatosis may develop. This disease interferes with normal breathing, but is treatable.