Human papillomavirus type 66: causes and treatment

1. What is the danger of HPV type 66
2. Routes of infection
3. Main manifestations
4. Diagnostic features
5. Treatment methods for HPV type 66
   1. Medicines
   2. Methods of destruction

Human papillomavirus type 66 is a strain with a fairly high degree of oncogenicity (conditionally oncogenic), which primarily affects the female body. Men usually act as carriers of the pathogen and rarely get sick. In women, this virus is a high risk factor for developing cervical cancer.

What is the danger of HPV type 66?

Scientists have studied about 100 different strains of papillomavirus. All of them have varying degrees of danger - from low to high oncogenic. Only a few types of pathogen pose a serious danger from the point of view of malignancy. Among them is the 66th strain.

Human papillomavirus type 66 is a rather dangerous pathogen that provokes damage to cervical cells. Initially, this manifests itself as the development of dysplasia. If you start the disease, sooner or later it will develop into an oncological process. Read about a similar papilloma virus type 35.

After infection, the virus of the 66th strain is introduced into human DNA and provokes changes in its properties and structure. Under the influence of the pathogen, active division of skin and mucous cells occurs, resulting in the formation of various growths on the body - papillomas, genital and flat condylomas.

In itself, type 66 papilloma in women and men does not harm health, and the virus does not have a direct toxic effect. However, toxins can be released during the breakdown of destroyed cells. Thus, inflammation can begin and the body’s resistance to various infections is weakened.

In some cases, HPV type 66 causes condylomas to affect the male genitalia. Also, neoplasms may appear in the anus, inside the urethra. Internal growths are more dangerous than external ones, since they can remain undiagnosed for a long time, become inflamed and lead to the development of purulent processes in the pelvic organs.

Ways of infection with papillomavirus type 66

Today, 7 out of 10 people on the planet are infected with papillomavirus. This indicates that the pathogen is very common and it is quite easy to become infected with it, since it belongs to a group of viruses with high contagiousness.

This type of pathogen is mainly transmitted by any unprotected sexual intercourse. It penetrates into the smallest lesions formed on the mucous membrane and skin.

The probability of transmitting human papillomavirus type 66 during intimate intercourse without barrier contraception is 60%. However, even condoms in some cases are not able to protect against it. It is so small that it can pass through the micropores of latex.

HPV type 66 is transmitted much less frequently in everyday life from contaminated objects to humans. It is enough to use someone else's towel, washcloth, razor, cosmetics or underwear once to become infected with the virus from the carrier. There is also evidence that it can be transmitted in swimming pools, saunas, and gyms.

Sometimes a child can become infected with human papillomavirus type 66 during childbirth from an infected mother. However, the pathogen is transmitted in this way in 1% of cases.

Thus, it is extremely difficult to protect yourself from this type of HPV. But there are certain factors that further increase the likelihood of infection:

1. Frequent change of sexual partners, unprotected intercourse;
2. Violations of intimate hygiene rules;
3. Abuse of hormonal contraceptives, presence of an intrauterine device;
4. Repeated artificial terminations of pregnancy;
5. Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, adolescence, and menopause;
6. Early onset of intimate life - in the period 13-16 years, the cervix is ​​more susceptible to viruses;
7. Bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol, drug addiction;
8. The presence of autoimmune and somatic ailments;
9. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics;
10. Immune deficiency;
11. Improper lifestyle, imbalance in diet, vitamin deficiencies;
12. Frequent stress, chronic fatigue.

Main manifestations of papillomavirus type 66

After entering the body, the virus may not be active for up to 8 months. Moreover, if the immune system is strong, then the disease may not develop and the pathogen will completely leave the body in a few months. However, during this time it may well be transmitted to a partner through unprotected contact.

The papillomavirus type 66 in women does not manifest itself for a long time; it is in a latent state in the body. It can only be detected if laboratory diagnostic methods are used. A woman can get sick only after several months, or even years. Then the first signs of HPV infection will appear.

First of all, women develop changes in the internal genital organs - the vagina, the cervix, and the cervical canal. Thus, for a long time the patient may not be aware that the disease is developing.

Human papillomavirus type 66 significantly reduces the body's local resistance to infections of a bacterial and fungal nature. Therefore, colpitis, endocervicitis, candidiasis, and dysbiosis may occur. This is due to the fact that bacteria and fungi are activated in the vagina.

All these pathologies lead to the appearance of the following symptoms in a woman:

1. Changes in vaginal microflora;
2. Development of local inflammation;
3. Discharge with an unpleasant odor;
4. Burning, itching in the genital area;
5. Unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse;
6. Bloody discharge after sexual intercourse.

This strain rarely affects the skin. As a rule, it develops on the mucous membranes in the form of genital warts. It is considered a positive thing if human papillomavirus type 66 quickly manifests itself in the form of external neoplasms. In this case, the patient will be able to consult a doctor in a timely manner. If the pathogen develops inside the body for a long time without visible manifestations, then there is a risk that the process of malignancy of cervical cells and the development of cancer will begin, which the patient will not even be aware of.

In men, this virus manifests itself very rarely. In these cases, condylomas may form on the genitals.

Features of diagnosing papillomavirus type 66

Since this strain of the virus usually develops inside the body with rare external manifestations, it is very difficult to diagnose it with a routine visual examination. To determine the exact type of HPV, you should definitely undergo laboratory tests. With a high-quality diagnosis, the doctor will be able to determine the degree of activity of the pathogen, its strain, and the risk of developing cancer.

If you suspect human papillomavirus type 66 in women, your doctor will advise you to undergo colposcopy of the cervix. In this case, the surface of the cervix is ​​treated with a special solution (Lugol), which is a test for malignant cells.

However, the basis of diagnosis is PCR analysis. To do this, blood is drawn from a vein. It has a fairly high accuracy, but does not indicate the concentration of pathogens.

For a more detailed study of the virus, digen test. This is a modern analysis that gives the most accurate picture of HPV development.

The specialist may also prescribe a bioseeding. This is an expensive and relatively lengthy study, in which a pathogen strain is grown in an artificial environment and analyzed in detail.

Rarely, but sometimes prescribed cervical biopsy. It is performed only if there is a real suspicion of cancer.

Treatment methods for HPV type 66

Today, medicine is practically powerless in completely eliminating the papillomavirus. Existing means and methods can only suppress the development of infection and prevent malignancy of tumors. Treatment of human papillomavirus type 66 is only possible in a comprehensive manner using drugs from various groups and destruction of growths.

1. Medicines for HPV 66 strain

Immunomax - enhances immune defense against viral and bacterial infections

The use of antiviral and immunostimulating drugs can prevent the development of the virus and its activation up to the development of oncology. There are also groups of drugs that can destroy tumors. Let's look at them:

1. Immunomodulators and immunostimulants. They are prescribed for the treatment of HPV type 66 after analyzing the patient’s immunogram. As a rule, this is part of complex therapy for a general weakening of the patient’s immunity. The main task of these medications is to activate defenses, enhance the production of immune cells, and stimulate the synthesis of antibodies. These drugs are available in tablet, injection, and ointment form. The following have proven themselves well for the treatment of human papillomavirus type 66: Allokin-Alpha, Immunomax, Isoprinosine, as well as analogues - Gepon, Galavit.
2. Antiviral. The main goal of antiviral treatment is to reduce the load on the body and stop the spread of the pathogen. Drugs in this group can be prescribed as monotherapy or as part of complex therapy. You can use Viferon, Genferon, Altevir, as well as analogues - Panavir, Epigen Intim (read reviews of Epigen Intim spray for condylomas).
3. Means of destruction of neoplasms. If HPV type 66 manifests itself in the form of papillomas or condylomas, then these neoplasms should be eliminated. To do this, you can use chemicals that have a destructive effect. To remove type 66 genital papillomas in women and men, salicylic-resorbing collodion, trichloroacetic acid, as well as analogues of Solcoderm for warts and nitric acid are used.
4. Cytotoxic drugs. These drugs are inhibitors of cell division. These are medications for external use. They are used only on the external parts of the body, not on the internal genital organs. The most popular are Podophyllin and Podophyllotoxin. They include plant resins. Their analogue, 5-fluorouracil cream, has also proven itself well.

2. Methods of destruction of papillomas

Methods of physical removal of tumors are good because they allow you to eliminate the lesion. However, they have their drawbacks, such as frequent relapses and low efficiency when it comes to removing growths on the cervix. Often, after the destruction of papilloma, foci of infection remain on the internal genital organs, which are a source of future relapses.

Among the most popular methods of physical elimination of papillomas and condylomas are the following:

1. Electrocoagulation. Has an efficiency of 82-96%. The risk of relapse is 45-65%. In this case, an electric current is used, which affects the lesion. The price of electrocoagulation of neoplasms is 1200-2200 rubles in Russia and 450-600 hryvnia in Ukraine.
2. Laser therapy. Carbon dioxide and infrared laser beams are used to remove type 66 papillomas in women and men. The effectiveness of the method is in the range of 65-92%. Relapses occur quite often. The price of laser treatment is 1200-2100 rubles in Russia and 370-600 hryvnia in Ukraine.
3. Radio wave therapy. To destroy tumors, a special apparatus (Ellman, Surgitron) is used, which produces radio waves that destroy the base of the growth. Suitable for eliminating single viral tumors. The efficiency is quite high - up to 98%. Relapses are relatively rare. The cost of radio wave removal is 1700-2500 rubles in Russia and 570-860 hryvnia in Ukraine.
4. Cryotherapy. It involves the impact on type 66 papilloma in women and men with liquid nitrogen and freezing of the growth. It is not very effective - about 45-65%, since it is difficult to influence the entire neoplasm with a solution of liquid nitrogen. Relapses occur in 30-55% of cases. The price of cryodestruction is 800-1700 rubles in Russia and 350-450 hryvnia in Ukraine.
5. Surgical removal. Recently, it has been used less and less, as it is a traumatic and ineffective method. In addition, it is difficult to use on the internal genital organs. The price of surgical excision is 800-1000 rubles in Russia and 250-300 hryvnia in Ukraine. This method is also actively used to remove papillomas on the nipples during pregnancy.

Removing tumors is not a guarantee that human papillomavirus type 66 will be completely eliminated from the body.

What is the danger of HPV - watch the video:

Since strain 66 is a conditionally oncogenic virus, it is highly recommended not to self-medicate so as not to provoke a malignant process and not waste time. It is important to diagnose your disease in time and begin treatment under the supervision of a specialist.

1. Read also about the effect of the papilloma virus on pregnancy