Papilloma virus is one of the most common infections affecting any age group. The danger is the combination of the manifestations of infection with the development of oncology. To avoid infection, you need to know how HPV is transmitted.
Ways of transmission of human papillomavirus
Papillomavirus is a ubiquitous infection due to its high infectivity, diversity of virus types and ability to remain unharmed in the environment, residing in exfoliated 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 linked to cancer.
Human papillomavirus has many different routes of infection and transmission that involve 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 with a virus carrier during sexual intercourse without a condom, 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 (embedded) state. HPV is in an inactive state in the epidermis. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, the probability of partner infection remains. During sexual intercourse, microtrauma of the mucosa occurs, which contributes to the release of pathogens to the surface and infection of the partner.
When condylomas appear, infectivity increases. The cells contain mature viral particles that bud on the surface of the mucosa or skin. Condylomas are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The appearance of condylomas is typical for HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of gynecological visits.
Growths due to this transmission mechanism have a characteristic localization in the intimate area:
- external, internal genitalia;
- anal area;
- mucous membranes 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, perianal area.
Removal of genital warts is an important step in treatment that should not be neglected.
Household
You can get infected with HPV in everyday life. It is typical of vulgar warts, where the place of appearance is the fingers, periungual ridges, the outer surface of the hands, forearm, face and other parts of the body. Family members of the affected person (parents, children) are affected. The papilloma virus comes to another person when using shared hygiene products (towel, shoes), shaking hands, wearing the same clothes, hugging.
There is a chance of infecting others when you visit crowded places. This applies to swimming pools, saunas, baths, where the risk of HPV transmission is high.
Through a kiss
Sometimes any type of HPV is transmitted through a simple kiss, affecting the mucous membrane of the mouth and the skin of the face. Types 6 and 11 most commonly affect the mouth. They are found in 90% of cases of genital warts. Strains 2, 16, 18, 33 can appear, with different degrees of oncogenicity.
Saliva contains infected squamous epithelium. During a kiss, part of the skin enters the other person's body. Transmission of infection occurs. Damage to the integrity of the mucosa contributes to infection. Minor injuries that occur when brushing your teeth or eating hot, rough food are not noticed in the oral cavity. This undermines the local protection of biological barriers.
From mother to child
If the expectant mother was infected before pregnancy, then the disease may progress to the stage of advanced clinical signs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If they are vulgar warts and there is no damage to the genital organs, there is nothing to fear. It is enough to constantly visit the doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a possibility that the child will become infected when 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 lead to papillomatosis, affecting the vocal cords and larynx.
Transmission to the newborn is not possible through milk during breastfeeding and 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. Hot spots of HPV are found on the hands, the infection spreads quickly. The appearance of warts is caused by virus type 2, 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.
Squamous papillomas are caused by types 3 and 5. Typical locations are the face and hands. Characteristics of adolescence.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. They appear in places of constant rubbing and pressure from shoes. It is transmitted by household contact using shared footwear, foot towels and in swimming pools.
Usually, the body does not become infected with these types of warts on first contact due to local immunity. But transmission is possible after the flu or a 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 condyloma, close contact, occurrence of microtrauma.
Can only one partner have HPV?
Only one partner can have HPV, but it's impossible to be 100% sure. People often do not suspect that they are infected due to the long incubation period, neglect contraception and infect their partner.
When one 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:
- rarely change sexual partners;
- adhere to the rules of personal hygiene;
- Do not use only slippers, bedding, towels.
Vaccination is an effective way. It is conducted from 9 to 26 years old, who have not had HPV. Vaccination is carried out at an older age, if 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, dangerous strains - 6, 11, 16 and 18. One of the vaccines is used to vaccinate boys, and the use of the second vaccine on men has no results.
Currently, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (USA, UK).
Vaccines provide immunity for up to 5 years. Transfer is not possible during these years.
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 examinations by specialist doctors (dermatologists, gynecologists) in order to detect precancerous conditions (erosion of the cervix, dysplasia, polyps) and treatment.
Tertiary treatment includes a set of therapeutic measures for the treatment of subclinical, clinical forms of HPV, including drug therapy and hardware removal of growths.
Currently, vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent the transmission of infection.