HPV type 31: what to do, how to treat?

HPV type 31 is a virus with a high oncogenicity index. Its location is in the deep layers of the skin, namely in the basal cells of the membrane. HPV can be the cause of the occurrence of growths on the genitals and in the groin area, and also increase the risk of precancerous or cancerous diseases.

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Structure HPV type 31

HPV type 31 is characterized by an exceptional DNA structure and its own genotype. Most often, HPV is found on the internal and external genitals, as well as on the mucous membranes and skin. The danger is that in both males and females, the virus is activated only when the immune system is weakened, and before that it can remain in the human body for a long period of time without symptoms.

It happens like this:

The DNA of the virus penetrates into a normal cell and lives there for several years, and when immunity decreases, it begins to show its effect, forming a large number of infected cells.

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Life cycle HPV type 31

For a short period of time, the virus can exist in the external environment, but its main life cycle takes place inside the body's cells.

How is HPV 31 transmitted?

The transmission route of the virus from person to person most often occurs during sexual intercourse. There is evidence that even a condom does not protect one hundred percent from infection (the virus particles are so small). In addition, infants are also at risk, as they can become infected from their mother during labor (their manifestation is papillomas in the larynx). Infection can also occur in everyday life, for example, through the contact of a healthy person with a sick person through small skin defects.

To summarize all this, we can highlight several risk factors for HPV type 31 infection:

• unprotected sexual intercourse with a carrier of the virus;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• reduced immunity;
• visiting swimming pools, saunas;
• alcohol abuse;
• failure to observe personal hygiene rules.

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Symptoms

Considering the fact that the virus generally does not express itself, any symptoms in a virus carrier are a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

Such symptoms may include:

• papillomas and condylomas on the genitals of the fairer sex;
• papules and plaques of a specific type in the stronger sex;

Because a woman's body is more vulnerable to adverse factors, they often experience an increase in the 31 strain of the virus. In addition, the pathological process begins to express itself earlier. If you do not go to the doctor and do not undergo therapy, the external signs of pathology (in the form of papillomas, condylomas, plaques and papules) will increase the affected area and can degenerate into malignant neoplasms.

HPV 31 in women

Since the fairer sex is more prone to genital cancer than the stronger sex, for them the appearance of any symptoms that indicate the presence of the virus in the body is very serious. Once it enters the body, it will exist there for a very long time until the pathological process begins.

The weaker sex may experience the following signs of pathology:

• papillomas;
• condylomas;
• bleeding after intercourse;
• groundless pain in the lower abdomen;
• secretions of a peculiar type.

Particular attention should be paid to pain after sexual intercourse; this symptom must be voiced to the attending gynecologist.

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HPV 31 during pregnancy

If a woman has been diagnosed with HPV strain 31, before becoming pregnant, she must visit a gynecologist and undergo a cytological examination. The doctor can allow pregnancy only if the test results are normal. It is necessary to undergo mandatory treatment before pregnancy if the examination reveals that pathological changes have occurred in the cervix. In both cases, mandatory monitoring of indicators will be required. HPV therapy in case of pregnancy is carried out only if the examination reveals negative modifications in the cervix.

To increase the expectant mother's body's resistance to infections, she is prescribed immunomodulatory medications.

The main danger in the gestational period will be infection of the baby during labor (if the virus has affected the genitals). But there is no exact data on the source of intrauterine infection of the newborn. Likewise, there is no information that the infection occurred through the birth canal itself, and not the placenta or in the postpartum period.

There is a possibility that during natural labor, the baby can swallow a small amount of contaminated fluid, and therefore there is a possibility of laryngeal papillomatosis. The consequences are very serious, as this can cause disability or suffocation of the newborn. The child's therapy is surgical. But this does not exclude the possibility of repeated exacerbations, although it decreases with age.

HPV 31 in men

The mechanism of infection in men is the same as in women - the virus enters the body during unprotected intercourse through microtraumas of the penis.

The onset of activation of the pathological process is indicated by cell dysplasia, which lasts for different periods of time.

Externally, neoplasms will be observed on the frenulum of the penis, rarely on its body, head or near the urethra.

In the latter case, pain during urination will not go unnoticed.

Complications and consequences

High oncogenic risk HPV 31. What is dangerous about HPV 31?

Like the sixteenth and eighteenth types of HPV, it is one of the most dangerous strains. It can cause diseases such as:

• neoplasia (second or third degree);
• Cervical dysplasia;
• Uterine cancer;
• Carcinoma of the penis;
• Carcinoma of the anal orifice;
• Bowen's dermatosis;
• Bowenoid papulosis;
• Laryngeal papillomatosis;
• Oral cancer;
• Dental complications.

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Diagnostics

To diagnose the pathological process, the following procedures will need to be performed:

• Undergo an examination by a gynecologist (for women) and a urologist (for men) at the first signs of pathology in the form of: warts, papillomas and condylomas;
• Undergoing cytological examination twice a year to detect cancer cells (for women under 26 years of age);
• PRC for the presence of the virus
• Digest test for virus type and degree of oncogenic risk.

HPV PCR 31

The PCR analysis for the presence of HPV is the most reliable diagnostic method. The DNA of the virus is determined using a chain reaction.

This analysis can determine the presence, type and amount of the virus in the body.

No special preparation is needed. You just need to not urinate for one and a half to two hours before taking a scraping from the urethra.

The PRC allows you to see the picture of the origin of the papillomavirus and its spread in the body. Thanks to this analysis, the doctor, depending on the type and tendency of the papilloma to degenerate into a malignant neoplasm, will prescribe treatment.

However, it is worth keeping in mind that the result of the study may be false positive or false negative if the conditions for its implementation were violated.

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Decoding the analysis for HPV 31

The oncotension of the strain will divide the analysis into three main categories. The unit of measurement of the Lg equivalents of the pathogen per hundred thousand human epithelial cells.

• Lg< 3 – insignificant concentration of the virus;
• Lg 3-5 – low risk of developing dysplasia;
• Lg > 5 – high probability of developing dysplasia.

The result may depend on many factors:

• Strict adherence by the patient to all doctor’s recommendations for preparation for the test;
• Correct collection of scrapings for analysis;
• Accurate HPV DNA type.

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HPV norm

Only a qualified medical professional can decipher the analysis, because only he can take into account not only the research data, but also the clinical manifestations, as well as the patient’s history.

The norm for HPV in this case is a negative result. If the patient has a positive result, this is a reason to undergo additional examination and the necessary therapy.

HPV 31 positive

If the patient's test result is positive, this means that:

• The patient belongs to a high risk group for developing cancer;
• The patient requires further investigation;
• If there are no clinical manifestations, the development of the virus must be monitored.

What to do if HPV 31 is detected?

If the studies have shown the presence of HPV in the body, you should immediately go to the doctor, only he will be able to prescribe and conduct additional studies. Lesions on the genitals will be detected at an early stage, before the onset of degeneration into a malignant neoplasm, the therapy will be most effective, with a minimum number of undesirable effects. If there are no signs of pathology, the body, under the supervision of a doctor, will most likely cope on its own.

Treatment

Therapeutic treatment includes several points:

• Personal hygiene – each family member should have their own towel;
• Drug therapy, including concomitant chronic diseases of the digestive system (for example, gastritis);
• Mechanical contraception (condom);
• Local treatment;
• Physiotherapy;
• Treatment with folk remedies to strengthen the immune system, have a calming effect and increase the level of vitamins in the blood;
• Antiviral treatment to suppress the virus.

If all this proves ineffective, and the risk of tumors degenerating into cancer increases, surgical treatment is performed using modern methods (laser treatment or cryodestruction).

Prevention HPV type 31

To reduce the risk of infection, you need to follow several rules:

• Personal hygiene;
• Protected sexual intercourse;
• Having a spare pair of shoes when going to the beach or sauna;
• Timely therapy of pathological processes of the digestive system;
• Keeping your body in good shape;
• Protects skin even with minor damage.
• Carrying out vaccination.

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Forecast

If HPV 31 has been detected in a patient, this does not necessarily mean that cancer will develop. If the immune system is healthy, the body will cope on its own under the supervision of a doctor. Since the immune system functions worse in the presence of chronic pathological processes, it is important to tell the doctor about them and take additional means to maintain immunity in this case. The most important thing is to follow all the doctor's recommendations and remember that the pathology can return at any time.

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