On earth, about 80% of the population is infected with the human papillomavirus. Since, due to HPV infection, not only harmless papillomas can appear on the body, but also genital warts, as well as growths that can degenerate malignantly, it is very important to know how HPV is transmitted. Perhaps this knowledge will help a person avoid infection and protect himself from dangerous diseases such as cancer of the cervix, uterus, vulva, vagina, anus, penis and even breasts. In the article we will tell you about HPV: how it is transmitted, risk factors and precautions.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
First of all, it must be said that papillomas are transmitted via the epidermis and saliva. At the same time, for some time the infection may not be felt and manifest itself with the formation of genital warts and papillomas only with decreased immunity.
If we talk about the mode of transmission of the papilloma virus, then the chances of infection increase significantly if there are cuts, scrapes and abrasions on the skin.
Attention!Many people wonder whether papillomas are inherited. The answer is no. It's just that when a family member is infected, the papilloma virus is transmitted in everyday life or from mother to baby during childbirth.
Mode of transmission of the following person-to-person virus infection:
- Transmitted through everyday life, namely through touch, common household items, clothing. Infection can be transmitted through kissing.
- If a person has genital papilloma, it can be transmitted sexually, that is, during unprotected sex.
- Self-infection is possible during shaving, shaving, and other skin damage. Because the papilloma is transmitted to the surrounding healthy skin cells, a person can transfer the virus from a diseased part of the body to a healthy part of the body on their own.
- The vertical infection route is the transmission of infection from mother to child during birth.
- Less often, infection occurs during blood transfusions, during the surgical removal of neoplasms caused by HPV. In addition, infection is not excluded in beauty salons, manicure rooms, bathrooms, saunas and swimming pools, where the rules of asepsis are ignored.
If we talk about how you get papilloma, then in 70% of cases of sexual infection the culprit is male. In the presence of epithelial neoplasms on the lips or genitals, the chance of infection is almost 90%. It should also be borne in mind that the presence of condoms, although reducing the risk of infection, still does not guarantee 100% protection, because HPV can penetrate microtrauma on the skin of the hands and other parts of the body. In addition, condylomas can be localized in the groin or pubic area, where they will not protect against direct contact with a partner.
Important!If one partner is a carrier of the virus, but he or she does not have papillomas, warts, or genital warts, the risk of infection in the other partner is significantly reduced.
If you list all the ways by which you can get papillomavirus in a newborn, then infection in the prenatal period is unlikely, because the virus does not penetrate the bloodstream and the fetus is protected by amniotic fluid, bladder and placenta. However, in medical practice, rare cases of intrauterine infection have been noted with damage to the placenta and fetal bladder.
For women who are planning a pregnancy, it is very important to know whether the father of the child is contagious and whether he can pass the infection on to the pregnant woman, because genital warts that appear during pregnancy are very dangerous for the child. In case of infection of the baby during childbirth, there is a threat of papillomatosis of the larynx and subsequent shortness of breath. Since the infection is transmitted through saliva, it is important to take into account the presence of papillomas, genital warts, and warts in the mouth of men and on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, as women can be infected with oral sex.
If a family member has papilloma, how it is transmitted in everyday life, it is important that all household members know:
- through shared bedding, towels, soap, cosmetics, washcloths and other personal items, the virus can penetrate the microtrauma on the skin;
- saliva infection may occur when using a toothbrush, glasses or other equipment;
- infections through clothing and other household items are also possible.
Risk Factors
We found out how you can become infected with the human papillomavirus, but it is equally important to know not only the route of transmission, but also the risk factors for papillomavirus infection.
Thus, the human papillomavirus is easier to penetrate into the skin and mucous membranes against the background of the following trigger factors:
- In men, children and women, infection is most likely to occur against the background of decreased immunity. The common cold or sore throat can cause this.
- The risk of contracting HPV increases when the intestinal or vaginal microflora is disturbed. In the first case, general immunity suffers, in the second case, the local body defenses decrease, and the likelihood of sexual transmission increases.
- Genital tract infections are more often the cause of infection against the background of other sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis).
- Any mode of transmission can be potentially dangerous for a person with a background of exacerbation of chronic diseases, when the body is weakened by the disease.
- There is no doubt whether papillomas are contagious. Viruses can easily penetrate from the host into a healthy person's cells if their defenses are weakened by stress, loss of energy, overwork or depression.
Important!Any virus is more easily transmitted to men and women who have bad habits (smoking, alcohol). The risk of infection also increases significantly in women using combined contraceptives.
The following conditions and diseases are predisposing factors for sexual transmission of the virus:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- prostitution;
- frequently changes sexual partners;
- promiscuous sex life;
- history of sexually transmitted diseases;
- age over 35;
- cervical pathology;
- immunodeficiency status.
Prevention
We found out how the human papillomavirus (women, men and children) is transmitted, we are considering taking precautions. It must be said right away that the most effective way not to become infected is preventive vaccination. To date, there are two types of vaccines known for this infection. They protect against the most dangerous oncogenic strains from viral infection. However, the high effectiveness of such protection is only observed with vaccination at an early age, before sexual intercourse or before infection with one of the HPV strains.
As for any other method of prevention, nothing can invalidate hygiene rules, use of condoms, a picky sex life and the rejection of bad habits. Useful for maintaining the strength of the immune system: eating right, temperament, exercise, take a walk in the fresh air, take vitamins regularly.