HPV virus

HPV is a Human Papilloma Virus and infects the skin and mucous membranes of humans and certain animals.

Virus types are too many and do not all cause the same symptoms. Until now, about 190 subtypes of the virus have been identified, of whom 40 are sexually transmitted.

Some of these forms (types 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 55, 61, 70, 72, 81, 83, 84, 89) can cause acute warts commonly found in the vagina, perinatal and the anus. Formulas 6 and 11 are due to 91% of warts. Acute warts are perceived by the woman itself but usually do not present a risk of cancer progression.

The other types of HPV (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 70, 73, 82, 85) do not cause obvious damage, however they tend to lead to pre-cancerous lesions, which can lead to cervical cancer. High-risk HPV serotypes are almost exclusively due to cervical cancer.

Diagnosis of HPV infection can be done via colposcopy, PAP testing and molecular DNA or RNA DNA detection techniques to detect active virus proliferation. Their treatment is supported by pharmaceutical methods, which are either applied by the patient himself or by the gynecologist locally to the lesions. Recurrence rates vary by case.

The most modern methods include mechanical removal of warts by laser or biopsy forceps loop. Mechanical removal of warts shows lower rates of recurrence. Regarding the potential precancerous lesions caused by HPV infection, a loop or laser treatment can be used, depending on the stage of the lesion.