1. An unexpected discovery: the "little meat particles" on Xiaohong's neck
Xiaohong is 28 years old and a lively and cheerful girl. One day, when she was looking in the mirror, she accidentally found a small piece of flesh growing on her neck, which was not painful or itchy, so she didn't pay much attention to it. But as time passed, this small piece of flesh not only did not disappear, but grew bigger and bigger, and even began to affect her appearance.
One day, Xiaohong's best friend saw the meat particles on her neck, alerted her that it might be some kind of skin problem, and suggested that she go to the hospital for a look. Xiaohong decided to go to the hospital for a check-up. After careful examination by the doctor, the diagnosis showed that the flesh on Xiaohong's neck was a wart-like growth caused by the HPV virus, which is commonly known as "sustenance".
Upon learning of this result, Xiaohong was shocked and worried. She couldn't figure out how she could be infected with this virus because she usually pays attention to personal hygiene.
The doctor told her that the HPV virus can be transmitted in many ways, and in addition to sexual transmission, it can also be transmitted through contact with the skin, clothing and other items of the infected person. Moreover, there are many different types of HPV virus, some of which do not necessarily cause obvious symptoms, but long-term carriage may increase the risk of malignant tumors such as cervical cancer.
2. How much do you know about the HPV virus: understanding is the only way to prevent it
The HPV virus, also known as the human papillomavirus, is a common virus that is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, but it can also be transmitted through other ways of skin-to-skin contact. There are hundreds of types of the virus, some of which cause wart-like growths on the skin, or "scabs". Although these "scabs" are benign in most cases, they can also turn into skin cancer.
In addition to causing skin problems, the HPV virus is also closely related to the occurrence of various malignant tumors such as cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. In particular, persistent infection with high-risk HPV virus is considered to be one of the main causes of cervical cancer. Therefore, it is essential for the prevention and early detection of HPV virus.
3. Be wary of these 5 kinds of "scabs", which may be a sign of HPV
Common warts: usually appear on the hands, fingers, feet, etc., and appear as round or oval papules with a rough and uneven surface and similar or slightly darker in color to the surrounding skin. Common warts are caused by a low-risk type of HPV virus, and although they are not usually malignant, they can also be transmitted to others.
Flat warts: Commonly found on exposed areas such as the face and back of the hands, they are flattened, similar in color to the surrounding skin, and have a smooth surface or slight bumps. Flat warts are also caused by the low-risk type of the HPV virus and are equally contagious.
Genital warts: this is a sexually transmitted disease that manifests itself as a papule or vegetation around the genitals or anus, in a variety of shapes, which can be papillary, cauliflower-shaped, etc. Genital warts are caused by a high-risk type of the HPV virus and may not only affect reproductive health, but also increase the risk of malignancies such as cervical cancer.
Plantar warts: common warts that occur on the soles of the feet, often caused by trauma or friction, and appear as soybean-sized papules on the soles of the feet, with a rough and uneven surface, which can be painful due to compression. Plantar warts are also contagious and difficult to treat.
Laryngeal papilloma: This is a less common condition caused by HPV infection that manifests as papillary growths in the laryngeal mucosa that may affect breathing and speech. Laryngeal papillomas, although rare, require adequate attention.
4. How to prevent HPV infection?
The key to preventing HPV infection is to strengthen your own immunity, avoid unclean sex, maintain personal hygiene, and get vaccinated.
Boost immunity: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep, can help boost immunity and reduce the chance of HPV infection.
Avoid unclean sex: Avoid sexual activity with multiple sexual partners, and protective measures such as using condoms during sex can reduce the spread of the HPV virus.
Maintain personal hygiene: Washing your hands frequently, changing your underwear frequently, and avoiding personal items such as towels with others can help reduce the spread of HPV.
Vaccination: Preventive vaccines against HPV are available, including bivalent, quadrivalent, and 9-valent vaccines. Vaccination of people of appropriate age can effectively prevent HPV infection and reduce the risk of malignant tumors such as cervical cancer.
5. What should I do if I find a "squirrel"?
If you find that you have grown the above-mentioned "scabs", don't take it lightly. You should go to the dermatology department of the hospital in time to receive diagnosis and treatment from a professional doctor. The doctor will formulate an appropriate treatment plan based on factors such as the shape, size, and location of the "scarf". Treatment methods include medication, physical therapy (e.g., cryotherapy, laser, etc.), and surgical excision. During the treatment process, patients need to actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment recommendations and maintain a good attitude and lifestyle habits in order to recover as soon as possible.
At the same time, it is also very important for patients who have been infected with the HPV virus to have regular gynecological examinations. Through gynecological examination, abnormalities in the cervix and other parts of the cervix, such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, can be detected in time, so as to take effective treatment measures to prevent the deterioration of the condition.
6. Psychological adjustment after HPV infection
After being infected with the HPV virus, patients may have negative emotions such as anxiety and fear due to concerns about the deterioration of the condition and the impact on fertility. These emotions can affect not only the patient's quality of life, but also the outcome of the treatment. Therefore, psychological adjustment is also an indispensable part of the recovery process of patients with HPV infection.