On earth, about 80% of the population is infected with the human papillomavirus. Because, due to HPV infection, not only harmless papillomas can appear in the body, but also in genital warts, as well as in developments that can degenerate malignant, it is very important to know how HPV is transmitted. Perhaps this knowledge will help one to avoid infection and to protect oneself from dangerous diseases such as cervical cancer, vulva, vagina, anal passage, penis and even breast. In this article we will tell you about HPV: how it is transmitted, risk factors and preventive measures.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
First, it must be said that the beast is transmitted through the skin and saliva. At the same time, for some time the infection may not be felt and may manifest with the formation of genital warts and papillomas only with a decrease in immunity.
If we talk about how the papilloma virus is transmitted, then the chance of infection increases significantly if there are injuries, scratches and abrasions on the skin.
Attention!Many wonder if papillomas are inherited. The answer is no. It is precisely that when one of the family members is infected, the papilloma virus is transmitted in daily life or from mother to baby during childbirth.
The following are known ways of transmitting viral infection from person to person:
- It is transmitted through everyday life, ie through touch, common household items, clothes. The infection can be transmitted through kissing.
- If a person has genital papillomas, the transmission could have occurred sexually, that is, during unprotected sex.
- Infection is possible through shaving, waxing and other skin lesions. Because the papilla 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 route of infection is the transmission of the infection from mother to child at birth.
- Much less commonly, the infection occurs during a blood transfusion, during surgical removal of HPV-induced tumors. Infection is also not excluded in beauty salons, manicure rooms, baths, saunas and swimming pools, where the rules of asepsis are ignored.
If we talk about how you can get papilloma, then in 70% of sexually transmitted infections, the culprit is a man. In the presence of an epithelial tumor on the lips or genitals, the chance of infection is almost 90%. It should also be borne in mind that the presence of a condom, although it reduces the risk of infection, does not guarantee 100% protection, as HPV can penetrate through microtrauma to the skin of the hands and other parts of the body. In addition, warts can be found in the groin or genital area, where a condom does not protect against direct contact with a partner.
Important!If one of the partners is a carrier of the virus but does not have papillomas, warts or genital warts, the risk of infecting the other partner is greatly reduced.
If you list all the ways in which you can become infected with papillomavirus in a newborn, then infection during the prenatal period is unlikely, as the virus does not enter the bloodstream and the fetus is reliably protected by amniotic fluid. , bladder and placenta. However, in medical practice, rare cases of intrauterine infection have been reported with damage to the placenta and fetal bladder.
For women who are planning a pregnancy, it is very important to know if the father of the child is contagious and if he can transmit the infection to the expectant mother, as genital warts that occur during pregnancy are very dangerous forthe child. In case of infection of the baby during childbirth, there is a threat of laryngeal papilloma and consequent suffocation. Since 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 oral mucosa, because a woman can become infected through oral sex.
If a family member has nipples, how it is transmitted in everyday life, it is important for all household members to know:
- through shared bedding, towels, soap, cosmetics, towels and other personal items, the virus can penetrate the micro-wound into the skin.
- Saliva contamination is possible when using a toothbrush, glasses or other utensils.
- contamination from clothing and other household items is also possible.
Risk factors
We have discovered how you can become infected with the human papillomavirus, but it is equally important to know not only the routes of transmission but also the risk factors for papillomavirus infection.
Thus, the human papillomavirus penetrates much more easily into the skin and mucous membranes against the background of the following factors that cause:
- In men, children and women, infection is very likely in the context of reduced immunity. A common cold or sore throat can contribute to this.
- The risk of contracting HPV increases when the intestinal or vaginal microflora is disrupted. In the first case, the general immunity suffers, in the second case, the body's local defenses are reduced and the chance of contracting sexually increases.
- The genital tract becomes the most common cause of infection in the context of other sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis).
- Any means of transmission can be potentially dangerous for a person in the context of exacerbation of a chronic disease when the body is weakened by the disease.
- There is no doubt that nipples are contagious. The virus can easily enter a healthy person's cells from the host if their defenses are weakened by stress, loss of energy, overwork or depression.
Important!Viruses are more easily transmitted to men and women who have bad habits (smoking, alcohol). The risk of infection also increases significantly in women taking combined contraceptives.
The following conditions and diseases are predisposing factors for the sexual transmission of the virus:
- earlier sexual activity.
- prostitution?
- frequent change of sexual partners.
- diffuse sex life.
- history of sexually transmitted diseases.
- age is over 35 years
- pathology of the cervix?
- immunodeficiency conditions.
Prevention
We have discovered how the human papillomavirus is transmitted (women, men and children), now it remains to consider preventive measures. It must be said immediately that the most effective way to avoid infection is 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 this protection is observed only with vaccination at a young age, before sexual intercourse or before infection with one of the HPV strains.
As for other methods of prevention, no one has abolished the rules of hygiene, 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, moderate, exercise, walk in the fresh air, periodically drink vitamins.