Human papillomavirus infection is very common, affecting three quarters of the population, and this figure is growing. The pathogen has more than a hundred varieties, differing in their genotype. Some of them do not pose a serious danger to humans, causing mostly only cosmetic inconvenience with their symptoms. But there are strains that, without timely treatment, threaten the patient’s life. These include HPV type 68; infection with it often leads to the formation of cancerous tumors, especially in women.
Peculiarities
The main distinguishing feature of this infection is the very high risk of developing cancer. Approximately 70% of patients (women) who are faced with an infection at some point receive a warning from a doctor about the beginning of the degeneration of tumors caused by the virus into malignant ones. The reason lies in the fact that the microorganism not only invades cells, but also changes their DNA. Thus, the affected cells lose their functionality, begin to multiply uncontrollably and at some point become components of a cancerous tumor.
Some varieties carry a significant risk of developing cancer. These types of HPV are called oncogenic, that is, they contribute to the degeneration of tumors. You can find out which strains of papillomavirus are oncogenic, whether they can be recognized in the early stages of development and how easy they are to treat.
Another feature is contagiousness. It is much easier to catch this strain of HPV than many others. At the same time, the main route of infection remains unprotected sex with untested partners. Please note that HPV 68 is capable of penetrating even through an entire contraceptive, which is a rather rare quality for microorganisms. Other methods of infection also cannot be discounted:
- contact, for example when kissing;
- household (using someone else's bedding or underwear, as well as dishes);
- generic (from mother to child);
- social (through common areas, for example, swimming pools, toilets, beauty salons).
Please note that in the vast majority of cases, transmission of the virus occurs through sexual contact; other methods of infection are quite rare in medical practice.
The problem of infection in women
Infection with HPV 68 occurs from a carrier of the infection when the pathogen enters the mucous membrane, skin or blood of a healthy person. Representing a DNA virus, HPV in the human body is integrated into tissue cells, introducing its genetic information, which causes their abnormal development and the growth of papillomas.
In the vast majority of cases, women are infected with HPV 68 through sexual contact. It should be noted that even barrier contraceptives cannot provide complete protection against infection. Infection occurs with a high degree of probability during any type of sexual contact (traditional and non-traditional sex).
Much less often, infection occurs through contact and household contact. However, there is a risk when using common hygiene products and underwear, or when kissing a sick person. The probability of infection of the fetus during pregnancy or when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman is quite high.
Symptoms
HPV is secretive - signs of the disease appear in only 10-15% of patients. In this regard, strain 68 has a plus, if one can say so about a deadly disease. The fact is that its symptoms are somewhat broader than those of most other types of the virus, although they appear just as rarely. The first signs of the disease appear no earlier than a few weeks after infection, and most often after a few months. Moreover, if the body’s defenses are in a normal state, then the disease may well remain in its infancy, and therefore there will be no symptoms of HPV.
The most striking sign of HPV 68 is pink neoplasms that have a flat shape. Over time, they take the form of warts and can grow to impressive sizes, causing discomfort to the patient. Especially a lot of them accumulate in the genital area, including in the vagina and on the cervix, as well as on the head of the penis. As the disease progresses, people also experience:
- discharge from the vagina and penis that has an unpleasant odor (fishy);
- pain during sexual intercourse and urination;
- constant drowsiness and chronic fatigue;
- swelling of the legs;
- sudden weight loss (this is a very bad sign, which indicates the possible onset of cancer development).
In addition, in women with HPV 68, the menstrual cycle is often disrupted, and men become impotent. At the same time, representatives of both sexes experience a sharp drop in sexual desire.
Symptoms of HPV type 68
In most cases, papillomavirus type 68 does not make itself felt at all for a long period. And the warning signs will be:
- burning sensation in the vaginal mucosa (in the inner, hidden part);
- the appearance of third-party discharge, in no way dependent on the course of the menstrual cycle;
- local enlargement of lymph nodes;
- pain in the cervix, minor bleeding (after mechanical damage to the tumor).
It is not possible to accurately diagnose the disease on your own.
Diagnostics
Yes, the symptoms of this strain of the papilloma virus are indeed more abundant than in the case of other types of the disease, but this does not help much in diagnosis. The fact is that similar signs often occur with other sexually transmitted diseases, so a simple history taking will simply establish the fact of a certain disease, but nothing more. For a high-quality diagnosis of HPV, you need to undergo special analyzes and tests that not only detect the virus, but also accurately characterize it, which allows you to immediately determine the optimal therapeutic strategy.
Modern medicine uses several highly accurate methods for detecting HPV of any type:
- PCR. The method is accurate, but gives a number of false results. In addition, this diagnostic is not able to determine the concentration of the microorganism in the cells.
- Digen test. The most modern, the most accurate, but also one of the most expensive. Using this technique, you can find out everything about the virus: its type, DNA features and their quantity.
- Bacterial culture . The method is accurate, but takes a lot of time. In an artificial environment, a sample of the papilloma virus strain is grown from the patient’s biomaterial, which is then subjected to detailed study.
As for a biopsy, when examining for the papilloma virus, doctors try to avoid prescribing it - it poses too much stress for the body. But if there is a suspicion of the beginning of the degeneration of neoplasms, then it will have to be done - it is a matter of life and death.
Don't forget about an examination by a gynecologist. He will be able to visually detect those symptoms of the disease that are hidden to the average person.
How to diagnose the presence of HPV?
Detection of the presence of HPV in the body is possible through regular medical tests.
A common method is the Pap smear.
. With its help, virologists can diagnose up to 14 types of virus.
The following types of analysis are also used:
PCR reaction.
In this case, a swab is taken from the female and male genitalia. It is recommended to do the analysis twice. This is due to the fact that the error in detecting the virus is 20%. The slightest nudge of the analytical table top may show an incorrect result.
Digene test -
is a modern way of research. It can be used to determine the degree of infection and at what stage of activity the virus is.
Cytology -
a smear is taken from the mucous membrane of the genitals. It is able to detect the presence of altered cells.
Biopsy (histology) —
gynecological examination for changes in tissue and cell structure.
Colposcopy -
examination of the genitals under a microscope to identify structural changes.
The female body is less resistant to the effects of HPV type 68 than the male body.
Treatment
The papilloma virus is not a death sentence; after all, it does not cause cancer in 100% of cases. But the disease cannot be ignored; it is very dangerous. First of all, doctors recommend removing the tumors. Moreover, surgical intervention using a scalpel is used quite rarely. Mainly prescribed:
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezes warts, killing them);
- electrocoagulation (neoplasms are destroyed by electrical impulses).
This procedure is especially relevant if there are too many warts and they cause serious discomfort.
But the matter is not limited to surgery; it is imperative to take antiviral drugs aimed at HPV. The exact course of treatment, dosage and name of medications are determined only by the doctor, no amateur activities! But there is an “average” list of medications that doctors prescribe most often:
- Genferon (costs about 500 rubles);
- Viferon (no more than 100 rubles);
- Allokin-alpha (the drug is expensive - about 3,000 rubles);
- Isoprinosine (costs approximately 1000 rubles).
Please note that these agents not only suppress the activity of the virus, but also work as immunomodulators, that is, they strengthen the body’s defenses.
Treatment of HPV 68 should not be limited to taking medications and removing tumors. The success of therapy largely depends on the patient himself. During the course of treatment you should:
- give up alcohol and tobacco (especially drugs);
- develop a normal daily routine;
- give your body reasonable physical activity;
- include more vitamin-rich foods, such as vegetables, in your diet;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene especially strictly.
If these recommendations are followed, then HPV will have virtually no chance. The fact is that the main weapon in the fight against the papilloma virus is immunity; without it, not a single medicine will bring results.
Modern medicine does not yet know a way to completely destroy HPV. Even in the case of a successful therapeutic course, the activity of the microorganism will only be suppressed, but it will remain in the patient’s body for life.
Consequences and danger
Cancer is the most terrible complication of HPV 68. Moreover, this strain can cause cancer not only in the vagina and cervix, but also in:
- anus;
- rectum;
- skin;
- intestines (very rarely).
Please note that men are almost completely safe; they almost never develop cancer. But women need to be careful.
But representatives of the stronger sex can also suffer, however, from other complications that HPV 68 gives:
- impotence;
- infertility;
- liver and kidney problems;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity.
Isn't it easier to protect yourself from infection? It is very difficult to cure HPV 68, and the risks are high. It is better to undergo preventive examinations on time, not to have sex with just anyone, and at the same time accustom yourself to observing the rules of personal hygiene. Protect yourself and your loved ones from the human papillomavirus.
You can also watch this video, which explains all the possible routes of HPV infection.
Complications
In the absence of timely therapy aimed at preventing the spread of papillomavirus, 10-15 years after infection, women may experience complications:
- cervical cancer;
- malignant tumor on the external genitalia;
- cancer of the rectum and anus;
- ovarian cancer.
Cervical cancer
