Dermatology >>>> Human papillomavirus infection

Human papillomavirus infection.

Among the diseases associated with skin and mucous proliferations (growths), the most common is papillomavirus infection.

The papillomavirus is a very common type of virus, numbering about two hundred types. Its peculiarity of vital activity affects the proliferation of epithelial tissues. It is known that penetrating a cell, the papillomavirus infects the basal layer of the epithelium, but in some cases is able to integrate into the cellular genome, malignant cell tissues, which leads to the development of malignant neoplasms.

The most common manifestations of papillomavirus infection in the form of papillomas, warts, genital and flat warts, keratomas. To date, research in the field of human papillomavirus infection indicates the involvement of papillomaviruses in the development of cervical cancer, breast cancer, head or neck carcinoma, cancer of the upper respiratory tract, lungs, skin cancer, and anogenital region.

The papillomavirus affects not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, larynx, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, genitals, and organs of the urinary system.

The papillomavirus is transmitted from person to person through close contact with the skin and mucous membranes (including of a sexual nature), with kissing, through microtrauma (cracks, scratches or abrasions on the mucous membrane and skin), through common household items (shaving machines, combs, etc.) the like). The virus survives for some time in saliva, semen, mucous secretions. Barrier methods of contraception do not protect against human papillomavirus infection. Evidence was found for the transmission of papillomavirus from an infected mother to a child during the passage of the birth canal or in utero.

Due to a very long incubation period (from one to twenty months) and slow development, papillomavirus infection is detected late. For quite a long time, papillomavirus infection may not manifest itself, but with the appearance of certain provocative factors (reduced immunity - especially cellular immunity, a certain age, endocrine disorders, chronic infections) makes itself felt.

Prevention of human papillomavirus infection has some difficulties due to the fact that a person in one way or another contacts with other people, having sexual partners, showing tender feelings for loved ones by kissing and hugging, using many household items together. It is customary to prevent human papillomavirus infection by vaccinating adolescents from 9 to 17 years old, and young women from 18 to 26 years old. Vaccination is carried out against four types of papillomaviruses.