On earth, about 80% of the population is infected with the human papilloma virus. Because HPV infection can cause not only harmless papillomas but also genital warts on the body, as well as growths that can malignantly, it is very important to know how HPV is transmitted. Maybe this knowledge will help someone avoid infection and protect themselves from dangerous diseases such as cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal passages, penis and even breast cancer. In this article, we will tell you about HPV: how it is transmitted, risk factors and prevention measures.
How is the human papilloma virus transmitted?
First of all, it must be said that the papilloma is transmitted through the epidermis and saliva. At the same time, for some time the infection may not feel itself and manifest itself, forming genital warts and papillomas only with a decrease in immunity.
If we talk about how the papilloma virus is transmitted, the risk of infection is greatly increased if there are injuries, scratches and abrasions on the skin.
Attention!Many people wonder if papilloma is inherited. The answer is no. Simply, if one of the family members is infected, the papilloma virus is transmitted on a daily basis or from mother to child during childbirth.
The following types of human-to-human transmission of viral infections are known:
- It is transmitted through everyday life, that is, with a touch, ordinary household items, clothing. The infection can be transmitted by kissing.
- If a person has genital papillomas, the transmission could take place sexually, that is, during unprotected sex.
- Self-infection is possible during shaving, epilation and other skin damage. Because the papilloma is contagious to the surrounding healthy skin cells, a person can transmit the virus from diseased parts of the body to healthy ones.
- The vertical pathway of infection is the transmission of the infection from mother to child at birth.
- Infection occurs much less frequently during blood transfusions, during surgical removal of HPV-induced neoplasms. Infection is also not ruled out in beauty salons, manicure rooms, baths, saunas and swimming pools, where aseptic rules are neglected.
If we talk about how you can get papilloma, then 70% of sexually transmitted infections are caused by men. In the presence of an epithelial neoplasm, the chance of infection on the lips or genitals is almost 90%. It should also be noted that the presence of a condom, while reducing the risk of infection, does not guarantee 100% protection, as HPV can enter through microtrauma to the hands and other parts of the body. In addition, warts can be localized in the groin or pubic area, where the condom will not protect against direct contact with a partner.
Important!If one partner is a carrier of the virus but does not have papillomas, warts, or genital warts, the risk of the other partner becoming infected is greatly reduced.
If you list all the ways to infect the newborn with papillomavirus, infection during the prenatal period is unlikely because the virus does not enter the bloodstream and the fetus is safely protected by amniotic fluid, bladder and placenta. However, cases of intrauterine infection with placental and fetal bladder lesions have been reported rarely in medical practice.
It is very important for women who are planning to become pregnant to know if the father of the baby is contagious and if he can pass the infection on to the expectant mother, as genital warts during pregnancy are very dangerous for the baby. If a child becomes infected during childbirth, there is a risk of laryngeal papillomatosis and subsequent suffocation. Because the infection is transmitted through saliva, it is important to consider the presence of papillomas, genital warts, and warts in a man's mouth and on the lining of the mouth, as a woman can become infected through oral sex.
If a family member has papilloma as it spreads in daily life, it is important for all members of the household to know:
- Using shared bed linen, towels, soap, cosmetics, laundry rags and other personal items, the virus can enter the microtraumas of the skin;
- Saliva infection is possible with a single toothbrush, glasses or other accessories.
- infection with clothing and other household items is also possible.
Risk Factors
We've found out how you can get infected with the human papilloma virus, but it's just as important to know not only the transmission routes, but also the risk factors for getting infected with the human papilloma virus.
This makes it much easier for the human papillomavirus to enter the skin and mucous membranes, given the following provocative factors:
- In men, children and women, the infection is more likely to have reduced immunity. A common cold or sore throat can contribute to this.
- The risk of developing HPV is increased if the intestinal or vaginal microflora is disturbed. In the first case, general immunity suffers, in the second case, the local defenses of the body decrease, and the risk of sexual disease increases.
- Infections of the genitals are more likely to cause infections against the background of other sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis).
- Any means of transmission can be potentially dangerous to a person against the background of an exacerbation of a chronic disease when the disease is attenuated.
- There is no doubt that papillomas are contagious. The virus can easily enter the cells of a healthy person from a host if his defenses are weakened by stress, loss of energy, excessive work or depression.
Important!All viruses are more easily transmitted to men and women with bad habits (smoking, alcohol). The risk of infection is also significantly increased in women using combined contraception.
The following conditions and diseases are predisposing factors for viral transmission of the virus:
- earlier sexual activity;
- prostitution;
- Frequent changes of sexual partners
- frivolous sex life;
- history of sexually transmitted diseases;
- is over 35 years of age;
- cervical pathology;
- immunodeficiency conditions.
Prevention
We've found out how the human papillomavirus is transmitted (women, men and children), now we need to consider prevention. It must be said immediately that the most effective way to avoid infection is through preventive vaccination. To date, two types of vaccines are known for this infection. They protect against the most dangerous oncogenic strains of viral infection. However, the high effectiveness of such protection is only seen when vaccinated at an early age, before sexual intercourse or before becoming infected with one of the HPV strains.
With regard to other methods of prevention, no one has abolished hygiene rules, the use of condoms, a selective sex life and the rejection of bad habits. It is useful to maintain the strength of the immune system: eat properly, harden, exercise, walk in the fresh air, periodically drink vitamins.