Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections that affects any age group. The danger is the combination of the manifestation of infection with the development of oncology. To avoid infection, you need to know how HPV is transmitted.
Human papillomavirus transmission route
Papillomavirus is a ubiquitous infection, this is due to its high transmissibility, the diversity of the virus, and the ability to remain unharmed in the environment, residing in the exfoliated keratin cells of the epidermis. The disease remains in the body without manifestation; a person does not suspect for a long time that he is a carrier of HPV. These viruses are 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 during unprotected sexual intercourse with a virus carrier, the pathogen penetrates the basal layer of the stratified squamous epithelium and infects the cells. It can be in an episodic state, not integrated into the host cell genome, or in an integrated (integrated) state. HPV resides in the epidermis in an inactive state. Even if there are no clinical symptoms, the possibility of infecting the partner remains. During sexual intercourse, microtraumas of the mucous membrane occur, which contribute to the release of pathogens to the surface and infection of the partner.
When condyloma appears, the infection increases. The cells contain mature virus particles that bud out onto the surface of the mucous membrane or skin. Condyloma is dangerous, it is a source of HPV.
The occurrence of condylomas is typical for HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of cases of visits to gynecology.
Growth due to this delivery mechanism has a characteristic localization in the intimate area:
- external, 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 labia, vagina, perineum, perianal area.
Removal of genital warts is an important stage of treatment that should not be neglected.
Household ways
You can get infected with HPV in everyday life. It is typical for vulgar warts, where the places of appearance are the fingers, periungual ridge, outer surface of the hands, forearms, face, and other parts of the body. Family members of the sick (parents, children) are affected. Papillomavirus is transmitted to other people when using shared hygiene products (towels, shoes), shaking hands, wearing the same clothes, hugging.
There is a chance of infecting others when visiting 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 ordinary kissing, affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and facial skin. Types 6 and 11 most often affect the mouth. They are found in 90% of cases with genital warts. Strains 2, 16, 18, 33 may occur, with varying 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. Small injuries that occur while brushing teeth or eating hot and rough food go unnoticed in the oral cavity. This interferes with local protection against biological barriers.
From mother to child
If the expectant mother is infected before pregnancy, then the disease can progress to the stage of advanced clinical signs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If this is a vulgar wart and there is no damage to the genitals, there is nothing to fear. It is enough to always see a doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a possibility that the child will be infected when passing through the birth canal. The skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx, and upper respiratory tract are affected. The disease can recur and lead to papillomatosis, affecting the vocal cords and larynx.
Transmission to the baby is not possible through milk during breastfeeding and through blood through the placenta.
Is papilloma on the body contagious?
The skin of the body is affected by plantar warts that are rough, flat and rusty. Each of them is different in appearance and structure.
Transmission occurs through contact with affected skin. Promotes damage to the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The focus of HPV is 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. Common locations are the face and hands. Characteristics of teenagers.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. Appear in places of constant rubbing and pressure from shoes. It is transmitted through household contact through the use of shared shoes, foot towels, and in swimming pools.
Usually, the body is not infected with this type of wart when it is first affected due to local immunity. But contagion may be after a cold or flu.
Genital HPV is acquired in 60% of cases during the first sexual intercourse. If a woman is infected, she is able to transmit the virus to 9 out of 10 of her partners. Due to the high transmission of condyloma, close contact, and the appearance of microtraumas.
Can only one partner have HPV?
Only one partner may have HPV, but it is impossible to be 100% sure. Often people do not suspect that they are infected because of the long incubation period, neglecting contraception, and infecting their partners.
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 trigger factors that contribute to disease transmission. You must follow the rules:
- rarely change sexual partners;
- comply with personal hygiene rules;
- Do not use slippers, linen, towels only.
An effective way is vaccination. It is carried out from 9 to 26 years, who do not have HPV. Vaccination is carried out at an older age, if there is no virus carrier. To do this, diagnostic methods are 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. To vaccinate boys, one of the vaccines is used; no results from the use of the second vaccine in males.
Currently, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (US, UK).
The vaccine provides immunity for up to 5 years. Transfers cannot be made during these years.
Prevention of complications
There are several stages to prevent the development of cancer in women:
- primary prevention;
- secondary;
- tertiary
The main method of prevention includes vaccination.
Secondary prevention involves undergoing an examination by a medical specialist (dermatologist, gynecologist) to identify precancerous conditions (cervical erosion, dysplasia, polyps) and timely treatment.
Tertiary treatment includes a set of therapeutic measures for the treatment of subclinical, clinical forms of HPV, including drug therapy and removal of tumor hardware.
Currently, vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.