Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections that affects every age group. The danger lies in the combination of infectious manifestations with the development of oncology. To avoid infection, you need to understand how HPV is transmitted.
Transmission routes of the human papilloma virus
The papilloma virus is an infection that occurs everywhere. This is due to its high contagiousness, diversity of virus types and ability to remain intact in the environment as it is found in exfoliated keratinized cells of the epidermis. The disease remains without manifestations in the body; For a long time a person does not suspect that he is a carrier of HPV. The virus is dangerous because some species have an oncogenic risk and are associated with cancer.
The human papillomavirus has many different routes of infection and transmission involving direct contact.
sexual intercourse
According to research, the main route of transmission of genital HPV is sexual contact. Both men and women can be carriers of HPV. When infected during sexual intercourse without a condom with a virus carrier, the pathogen penetrates the basal layer of the stratified squamous epithelium and infects cells. It can exist in an episomal state, not integrated into the host cell's genome, or in an integrated (built-in) state. HPV is in an inactive state in the epidermis. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, the likelihood of the partner becoming infected remains. During sexual intercourse, microtrauma of the mucous membrane occurs, which contributes to the release of the pathogen to the surface and infection of the partner.
When condylomas occur, infectivity increases. The cells contain mature virus particles that sprout on the surface of the mucous membrane or skin. Condylomas are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The appearance of condyloma is typical for HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of cases during gynecological visits.
Growths due to this transmission mechanism have a characteristic localization in the intimate area:
- external, internal genitals;
- anal area;
- Mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
In men, the head, foreskin and external opening of the urethra are affected. In women – the labia minora, labia minora, vagina, perineum and perianal area.
Removing genital warts is an important treatment step that should not be neglected.
Household way
You can become infected with HPV in everyday life. It is typical of vulgar warts that occur on the fingers, periungual groins, the outer surface of the hands, the forearm, the face and other parts of the body. Family members of the sick person (parents, children) are affected. The papilloma virus gets to another person when using shared hygiene items (towel, shoes), shaking hands, wearing the same clothes, or hugging.
There is a risk of infecting others when visiting crowded places. This applies to swimming pools, saunas and spas where the risk of HPV transmission is high.
Through a kiss
Sometimes any type of HPV is transmitted through a common kiss and affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and facial skin. Types 6 and 11 most commonly affect the mouth. They occur in 90% of cases of genital warts. Strains 2, 16, 18, 33 can occur with varying degrees of oncogenicity.
Saliva contains infected exfoliated epithelium. During a kiss, part of the skin penetrates the other person's body. The infection is transmitted. Violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane contributes to infection. Minor injuries that occur when brushing your teeth or eating hot, rough foods go unnoticed in the mouth. This disrupts the local protection of biological barriers.
From mother to child
If the expectant mother was infected before pregnancy, the disease can progress to the stage of advanced clinical symptoms due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. If these are vulgar warts and there is no damage to the sexual organs, there is no reason to be afraid. It is enough to constantly consult a doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a chance that the child will become infected while passing through the birth canal. The skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and upper respiratory tract are affected. The disease can recur and lead to papillomatosis, which affects the vocal cords and larynx.
It cannot be transmitted to an infant via milk during breastfeeding or via blood through the placenta.
Are papillomas on the body contagious?
The skin of the body is affected by vulgar, flat plantar warts. Each of them differs in appearance and structure.
Transmission occurs through contact with the affected skin. Promotes damage to the stratum corneum of the epidermis. If there are HPV foci on the hands, the infection spreads quickly. The appearance of warts is caused by a type 2 virus, which has a low oncogenic risk and is considered safe. Warts are characteristic of childhood and puberty. They usually disappear on their own within two years.
Flat papillomas are caused by types 3 and 5. Typical places are the face and hands. Characteristic of adolescence.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. Occur in places where shoes constantly rub and exert pressure. Transmission occurs through contact in the household, through the use of shared shoes, foot towels and in swimming pools.
Normally, the body does not become infected with this type of warts upon first contact due to local immunity. However, transmission is also possible after the flu or a cold.
Genital HPV is acquired during first sexual contact in 60% of cases. If a woman is infected, she can transmit the virus to 9 out of 10 of her partners. Due to the high risk of infection of condylomas, close contact and the occurrence of microtraumas.
Can only one partner have HPV?
Only one partner may have HPV, but it is impossible to be 100% sure. Due to a long incubation period, people often do not suspect that they are infected, neglect contraception and infect their partner.
If a partner has a strong immune system, effective resistance to HPV is possible.
If the infection occurs in a latent state, the person does not suspect that he is sick. In this case, the virus is transmitted to the partner.
Is it possible to prevent infection?
Infection can be prevented by influencing trigger factors that contribute to the transmission of the disease. You must follow the rules:
- rarely change sexual partners;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- Don't just use slippers, bed linen and towels.
One effective way is vaccination. It is performed on ages 9 to 26 who have not had HPV. The vaccination is carried out at older ages when there is no transmission of the virus. To do this, a diagnostic method is used to determine the presence of papillomavirus DNA. There are two vaccines. They allow you to develop specific immunity and prevent infection with the most common and dangerous strains - 6, 11, 16 and 18. One of the vaccines is used to vaccinate boys; there are no results when using the second vaccine in men.
Currently, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (USA, Great Britain).
Vaccines provide immunity for up to 5 years. Transfer is not possible in these years.
Avoiding complications
There are several steps to prevent the development of cancer in women:
- primary prevention;
- secondary;
- Tertiary-
The primary prevention methods include vaccination.
In secondary prevention, examinations are carried out by specialists (dermatologists, gynecologists) in order to detect and treat precancerous lesions (cervical erosion, dysplasia, polyps) in a timely manner.
Tertiary treatment includes a range of therapeutic measures to treat subclinical, clinical forms of HPV, including drug therapy and hardware removal of growths.
Vaccination is currently considered the most effective way to prevent infection transmission.