Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections affecting any age group. The danger is the combination of infectious manifestations with the development of oncology. To avoid infection, you need to know how HPV is transmitted.
Transmission routes of human papillomavirus.
The papillomavirus is an infection that is found everywhere, this is due to its high contagiousness, the variety of virus types and the ability to remain unharmed in the environment, being found in the exfoliated and keratinized cells of the epidermis. The disease remains in the body without manifestations, a person does not suspect that he is a carrier of HPV for a long time. The virus is dangerous because some types have an oncogenic risk and are associated with cancer.
Human papillomavirus has many different routes of infection and transmission that involve direct contact.
sexual relations
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 condomless sexual intercourse with a carrier of the virus, the pathogen penetrates the basal layer of the stratified squamous epithelium and infects the cells. It can be in an episomal state, not integrated into the host cell genome, or in an integrated (incorporated) state. HPV is found in the epidermis in an inactive state. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, the probability of infecting the partner 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 appear, infectiousness increases. The cells contain mature viral particles that bud onto the surface of the mucous membrane or skin. Condylomas are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The appearance of condylomas is typical of HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of gynecology visits.
The growths due to this transmission mechanism have a characteristic location in the intimate area:
- external and internal genitalia;
- anal area;
- mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
In men, the head, foreskin, and external opening of the urethra are affected. In women: outer and inner lips, vagina, perineum and perianal region.
Removal of genital warts is an important stage of treatment that should not be neglected.
Home way
You can become infected with HPV in everyday life. It is typical for common warts, the place of appearance of which are the fingers, periungual ridges, the outer surface of the hands, forearm, face and other parts of the body. The patient's relatives (parents, children) are affected. The papillomavirus reaches another person when you use shared hygiene products (towel, shoes), shake hands, wear the same clothes, hug.
There is a chance of infecting other people by visiting crowded places. This applies to swimming pools, saunas and baths, where the risk of HPV transmission is high.
through a kiss
Sometimes, any type of HPV is transmitted through a normal kiss, affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and the skin of the face. Types 6 and 11 most frequently affect the mouth. They are found in 90% of cases of genital warts. Strains 2, 16, 18, 33 may appear, with different degrees of oncogenicity.
Saliva contains infected exfoliated epithelium. During a kiss, part of the skin enters the other person's body. Transmission of infection occurs. Violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane contributes to infection. Minor injuries that occur when brushing your teeth or eating hot, rough foods are not noticeable in the oral cavity. This disrupts the local protection of biological barriers.
From mother to son
If the expectant mother was infected before pregnancy, the disease may progress to the stage of advanced clinical signs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If these are common warts and there is no damage to the genital organs, there is nothing to fear. It is enough to constantly consult a doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a chance that the child may become infected while passing through the birth canal. The skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx and upper respiratory tract are affected. The disease can be recurrent and cause papillomatosis, affecting the vocal cords and larynx.
Transmission to a baby is not possible through milk during breastfeeding or through blood through the placenta.
Are papillomas on the body contagious?
The skin of the body is affected by flat and vulgar plantar warts. Each of them differs in appearance and structure.
Transmission occurs through contact with affected skin. Promotes damage to the stratum corneum of the epidermis. HPV foci are found on the hands and 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 go away on their own within two years.
Flat papillomas are caused by types 3 and 5. Typical locations are the face and hands. Characteristic of adolescence.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. They appear in places of constant friction and pressure from shoes. It is transmitted by household contact through the use of shared shoes, foot towels, and in swimming pools.
Normally, the body does not become infected with this type of warts at first contact due to local immunity. But transmission is possible after a flu or cold.
Genital HPV is acquired in 60% of cases during the first sexual contact. If a woman is infected, she is capable of transmitting the virus to 9 out of 10 of her partners. Due to the high contagiousness of condylomas, close contact and the appearance of microtrauma.
Can only a couple have HPV?
Only one person in a couple can have HPV, but it is impossible to be 100% sure. Often people do not suspect that they are infected due to a long incubation period, neglect contraception and infect their partner.
When 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 the triggering factors that contribute to the transmission of the disease. You must follow the rules:
- they rarely change sexual partners;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- Don't just use slippers, bedding and towels.
An effective way is vaccination. It is carried out from 9 to 26 years old, who have not had HPV. Vaccination is carried out at older ages, if there are no carriers 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 children, there are no results from the use of the second vaccine in men.
At the moment, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (USA, UK).
Vaccines provide immunity for up to 5 years. During these years transfer is not possible.
Prevention of complications
There are several stages to prevent the development of cancer in women:
- Primary prevention;
- secondary;
- tertiary
Primary prevention methods include vaccination.
Secondary prevention involves undergoing examinations by specialist doctors (dermatologist, gynecologist) to timely identify a precancerous condition (cervical erosion, dysplasia, polyps) and its treatment.
Tertiary treatment includes a set of therapeutic measures for the treatment of clinical and subclinical forms of HPV, including drug therapy and hardware removal of growths.
Vaccination is currently considered the most effective way to prevent the transmission of infections.