HPV in pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papillomavirus, can lead to an increase in the number and size of warts in the genital region due to hormonal changes, low immunity and increased vascularity in the region that are typical of gestation.
Although it is uncommon to contaminate a baby's HPV from the mother, when it is infected, the baby may have warts on the oral, eye, larynx, and genital region.
How to treat HPV in pregnancy
Treatment of HPV in pregnancy should generally be done up to the 34th week of gestation for complete scarring of the warts before delivery by:
- Application of trichloroacetic acid : serves to dissolve the warts and should be done once a week for 4 weeks;
- Electrocauterization : uses an electric current to remove isolated warts on the skin and, therefore, is done with local anesthesia;
- Cryotherapy : application of cold to freeze the warts with liquid nitrogen, causing the injury to fall in a few days.
These treatments can cause pain, which is usually tolerated, and should be done in the gynecologist's office, and the pregnant woman can return home without special care.
How does HPV deliver?
Usually, HPV is not contraindicated for normal delivery, but when the genital warts are very large cesarean delivery or surgery may be indicated to remove the warts.
Although the mother is at risk of transmitting the HPV virus to the baby during childbirth, it is not uncommon for the baby to become infected. However, when the baby becomes infected, it can present warts in the mouth, throat, eyes or genital area.
HPV risks in pregnancy
The risks of HPV in pregnancy are related to the mother being able to transmit the virus to the baby during childbirth. However, this is not common and even though the baby gets HPV at the time of delivery, most of the time, it fails to manifest the disease.
However, when the baby is infected, it can develop warts in the oral, genital, ocular and laryngeal areas, which should be properly treated.
After the baby is born, it is advised that the woman be re-examined to check whether the HPV virus is present or not and continue treatment if necessary. It is important that women know that postpartum HPV treatment does not prevent breastfeeding because it does not pass into breast milk.
Signs of HPV improvement
The signs of HPV improvement in pregnancy are decreasing the size and number of warts, while the signs of worsening are the increase in the number of warts, their size and the affected regions, and it is recommended to consult the doctor to adjust the treatment.
Understand better and in a simple way what is and how to treat this disease by watching the following video:
See too:
- HPV has a cure
- HPV in the mouth
