Papillomavirus infections are widespread among the population, carriers are about 80% of people of reproductive age. Fortunately, no every time infection with the papillomavirus develops into a disease.
There are over 100 different types of papillomaviruses. A small part of them does not leave traces on health. We can recognize the action of some of them as skin defects. For example, papillomaviruses cause warts, which are a type of benign growth.
Strains that affect the organs of the excretory and reproductive systems cause serious damage. Under the action of viruses in the mucous membrane, condylomas are formed there.
In rare cases, condylomas of the genital organs and the anus are reborn into malignant ones. Of course, however, they create discomfort, injure themselves and create conditions for bacterial infections.
Cervical cancer is one of the most insidious consequences of infection with the papillomavirus. Cervical cancer can be caused by strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, and 56.
What is the mechanism by which human papillomavirus infection leads to cervical cancer? Once on the mucous membrane of the cervix, viruses penetrate into its cells and start processes that result in the formation of altered cells, and later dysplasia. Under the influence of female sex hormones – estrogens, this altered tissue can turn into cancer. This is also the reason why the papillomavirus, and specifically the strains that spread on the genitals, have such an insidious effect on only one sex – women. In men, such an infection can be identified by the presence of warts or genital warts.
According to the World Health Organization, about 1,300 women worldwide develop cervical cancer every day. Cervical cancer kills 240,000 women a year. It is among the leading types of cancer. WHO notes an unpleasant trend that the disease is increasingly appearing at the youngest age of 15-20 years. In our country, the data is 28.1 new diagnosed cases per 100,000 population and 351.5 cases in general for 2008 according to the National Center for Medical Information, which puts it in one of the leading places in oncological diseases in women in Bulgaria, which is among does not otherwise apply to countries with active screening programs.
Unfortunately, once in the body, the virus cannot be destroyed. The only way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to prevent infection, but even using a condom cannot prevent 100% of infection, as it can also be transmitted through the skin and skin folds that come into contact during intercourse.
In particular, women can monitor their condition. The fact is that both infection and early disease processes do not cause any symptoms that signal the presence of infection and deterioration. The only way to prevent is to conduct a regular examination – cytosmear to establish cellular changes and take action when medical intervention will give the most rapid and effective result. Women should have a cytoplasmic test once a year or every three to six months as recommended by their gynecologist. Carrier testing for high-risk HPV strains, genotyping, or other laboratory testing methods may also be done.
Whether viruses, once they enter the body, cause cancer, depends on the immune system .. The fact is that at a young age, the body’s resources to suppress infection are greater. Experts assure that within two years the body manages to cope with the virus and heal itself. This is stated for women under the age of 30. This does not apply to immunocompromised women. When papillomavirus is found to be present and isolated for more than 2 years, that woman is considered to be at higher risk of developing degeneration. Viruses can remain dormant for a significant period of time and emerge when the immune system is compromised. This can happen with another disease, medication, or even just reaching a certain age, when the body loses some of its resources to effectively fight infections.
In favor of the body’s fight against papilloma infection, various means that prevent the reproduction and action of viruses can help. There is evidence that immunomodulators containing the substance indole-3-carbinol, isolated from cruciferous plants, prevent the division of papilloma-infected cells. However, such remedies can help in the initial stages of infection.
Another type of modulator affects the activity of macrophages and their ability to fight viruses. Such, for example, is sodium aminodihydrophthalazinedione. Some share the positive effect of a type of medicinal mushrooms, etc. Of course, a gynecologist could introduce his patient to effective immunomodulators that can be purchased at pharmacies or existing on the market and ordered from abroad.
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