From warts to cancer. What are papillomas and why are they dangerous?
Papillomavirus (human papillomavirus - HPV) is a disease caused by a viral infection that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
The virus manifests itself in the form of warts, papillomas, condylomas of various forms. The tumor consists of nodules and resembles cauliflower inflorescences or cockscombs. Skin papilloma can be both small (no more than 1 mm) and quite large (up to 2 cm). At the very beginning of its development, the formation has a flesh color, but over time it acquires a brown tint. Most often, warts appear on the neck, in the groin folds, in the armpits, on the elbows, knees, head and around the eyes. Also, growths can be located in inconspicuous places, for example, on the cervix, in the vagina, on the external genitals.
Classification
This disease has been known since ancient Greece. To date, statistics show that only 1 in 10 people are not carriers of any type of HPV.
To determine what type of virus you have, you need to consult a doctor and pass the necessary tests.
Ways of infection
The papillomavirus needs special conditions to infiltrate the body. Infection occurs from person to person through direct contact. The greatest danger of transmission is through sexual contact, as the alkaline environment is beneficial for the virus and there are often microcracks on the genitals.
In everyday life it is more difficult to get infected with the papilloma virus, but there is a risk of transmission of the virus if the sick and the healthy use the same bath towel and washcloth. If someone in the family is sick with HPV, personal hygiene and precautions should always be observed.
The only manifestation of the papillomavirus are genital warts and flat papules, although there may be no visible manifestations of the virus.
Risk factors
What to do, if. . .
. . . if you accidentally damaged or tore the tumor, treat the wound with an antiseptic (bright green alcohol solution). For the first 2-3 days, do not bother her with water procedures and do not cover her with a plaster.
. . . if the growth bleeds, hurts, has increased in size, you need to urgently seek help from a specialist.
Human papillomavirus is a risk factor for the development of cancer. First of all - cancer of the cervix, as well as the external genitalia.
But papilloma infection doesn't necessarily lead to cancer. There are viruses with low oncogenic risk - these are subtypes 6, 11, 42, 43, 44 (most often they appear in the form of spiky growths - genital warts). Subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 - have a high oncogenic risk, form flat papules - warts. But from infection to malignant cell degeneration, on average, it takes 10-20 years.
Smoking, alcohol, obesity, hormonal disorders that reduce immunity can accelerate the pathological process. Sometimes a virus that has been dormant in the body for years can suddenly wake up from sleep.
Papilloma is pushed to destructive changes by sexually transmitted infections: cytomegalovirus, genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis.
Furthermore, trivial inaccuracy can become a risk factor. Papillomas in the armpit, neck and face are often injured, after which they bleed and can become inflamed.
Frequent trauma to the papilloma can contribute to its degeneration into a malignant tumor.
If you have large papillomas on your body that you touch often, this is a direct indication for their removal.
The importance and effectiveness of vaccination
Papillomavirus vaccination is important for preventing cancer and genital warts in men and women. Additionally, vaccines prevent precancerous conditions.
Vaccination against papillomavirus reduces the risk of various diseases:
- Cervical cancer- Special Vaccine 4 reduces the risk of disease by approximately 70%, and Vaccine 9, approved for use in Israel since academic year 5780 (2019-2020), can reduce the risk of disease by approximately 90%.
- Vaginal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by about 96%.
- Penile cancer- reduces the risk of disease by about 99%.
- Rectal cancer- reduces the risk of disease by about 77%.
- Warts on the genitalsIn Australia, among girls under the age of 21, the vaccine reduced the incidence by about 92% and among boys between the ages of 16 and 26 by about 89%.
- The vaccine also prevents the formation of warts on the genitals and in the larynx, which appear within a short time after infection.
Duration of protection provided by the vaccine
Vaccination is effective for a period of at least 15 years, which is the period of time that has elapsed since the first use of the vaccine. Studies show that women who were vaccinated 15 years ago still have levels of antibodies that protect against the virus. Experts predict that the vaccine will provide protection for years to come; possibly for life.
Vaccination process
Vaccination against papillomavirus is carried out by intramuscular injection in the shoulder area, two or three servings for six months.
HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 26.
In special cases, on the recommendation of the attending physician, men and women between the ages of 27 and 45 can be vaccinated.
It is important to get vaccinated at school age:
- The vaccine does not cure diseases resulting from infections that occurred before vaccination, so it is important to get vaccinated before the risk of infection arises.
- Papilloma virus infection is possible at first sexual contact, so it's important to get vaccinated before starting sexual activity.
- The best immune response is obtained with vaccination in school age, compared to vaccination in old age.
HPV papillomavirus vaccination as part of the school vaccination program
- Starting from the 2019-2020 school year, boys and girls in the 8th grade of the school will be vaccinated with vaccine 9, in two portions with an interval of six months.
- In the past years, vaccinations were carried out: From the school year 2015-2016 and up to the school year 2018-2019, boys and girls were vaccinated in the 8th grade of the school with vaccine 4. In the school years 2014-2015, the girls were vaccinated in the eighth grade of school with vaccine 4. In 2013- In the 2014 school year, girls were vaccinated with the Cervarix vaccine in the eighth grade of school and girls in the ninth grade at the health office .
Vaccination of boys
The recommendation to vaccinate boys, not just girls, follows the same reasons girls are vaccinated:
- To protect girls and boys from cancer and genital warts caused by a virus
- To prevent person-to-person transmission of the virus
Vaccination of unvaccinated children at school
We recommend that children who have not been vaccinated in school are vaccinated against HPV.
The Ministry of Health recommends vaccinating girls born after 1999 and boys born after 2002 who have not completed the full vaccination course.
- 9th grade students- The vaccination will be carried out free of charge by the health workers of the students of the place of residence.
- Grade 10 and above students under the age of 18- The vaccination will be carried out at the Health Office of the Ministry of Health of the place of residence, free of charge.
- Over 18 years old- you can get vaccinated at the health insurance, for a fee.
Children who have received a single dose of grade 8 vaccine should receive an additional vaccination with a second dose after at least six months.
Children who receive two 8th grade doses within less than five months should receive additional vaccination with a third dose, at least 12 weeks after the second dose.
From grade 9 and up, unvaccinated children are vaccinated by giving three doses (instead of two, as the response to the vaccine is better at a young age). The recommended time interval between the first and second serving is between one and two months and between the second and third serving is five months.
It is recommended that adults up to 26 years of age be vaccinated.
Adults who have received a dose of the vaccine in the past must supplement the vaccination based on age at the time of vaccination.
Do not vaccinate at the same time as other vaccinations.
It is not necessary to check for HPV infection before vaccination.
Vaccination safety
HPV vaccines contain only an empty shell of the virus and do not contain the genetic material (DNA) of the virus, so they are safe and there is no chance of infection with the HPV papillomavirus during vaccination.