Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections affecting any age group. The danger is the combination of manifestations of infection with the development of oncology. To avoid infection, you need to know how HPV is transmitted.
Human papillomavirus transmission routes
The papillomavirus is an infection that occurs everywhere, this is due to its high infectivity, the variety of virus types and the ability to remain unharmed in the environment, being 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, including direct contact.
Copulation
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 viral carrier, the pathogen penetrates the basal layer of the stratified squamous epithelium and infects the cells. It can be in an episomal state, unintegrated into the host cell genome, or in an integrated (embedded) state. HPV is in the epidermis in an inactive state. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, the possibility of infecting a partner remains. During sexual intercourse, microtraumas occur on the mucous membrane, which contributes to the release of the pathogen on the surface and the infection of the partner.
When condylomas appear, the infectivity increases. The cells contain mature viral particles that burst onto the surface of the mucosa or skin. Condylomas are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The appearance of condylomas is characteristic of HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of cases of visits to gynecology.
Growths due to this mechanism of transmission have a characteristic localization in the intimate area:
- external, internal genitalia;
- anal area;
- the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
In men, the head, foreskin and external opening of the urethra are affected. In women - the outer and inner labia, the vagina, the perineum, the perianal area.
Removal of genital warts is an important stage of treatment that should not be neglected.
Household way
You can get HPV in everyday life. It is characteristic of vulgar warts, the place of appearance of which are the fingers, the nail ridges, the outer surface of the hands, the forearm, the face and other parts of the body. Family members of the patient are affected (parents, children). The papillomavirus falls on another person when using common hygiene products (towel, shoes), shaking hands, wearing the same clothes, hugging.
There is a chance of infecting other people when you visit crowded places. This applies to pools, saunas, bathrooms, where the risk of HPV transmission is high.
Through a kiss
Sometimes each type of HPV is transmitted through a simple kiss, affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and the skin of the face. Types 6 and 11 most commonly affect the mouth. They occur in 90% of cases of genital warts. Strains 2, 16, 18, 33 can appear with varying degrees of oncogenicity.
Saliva contains infected exfoliated epithelium. During a kiss, part of the skin enters the body of the other. Transmission of infection occurs. Violation of mucosal integrity contributes to infection. In the oral cavity, minor injuries that occur while brushing the teeth or eating hot, coarse food are not noticeable. This violates the local protection of biological barriers.
From mother to child
If the expectant mother was infected before pregnancy, then the disease can progress to the stage of advanced clinical signs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If these are vulgar warts and there is no damage to the genital organs, there is nothing to fear. It is enough to constantly visit a doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a chance 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 baby is not possible through the milk during breastfeeding and through the 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. HPV foci are located 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 go away on their own within two years.
Squamous papillomas are caused by types 3 and 5. Typical sites are the face and hands. Characteristic of adolescence.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. They appear in places with constant friction and pressure from shoes. It is transmitted through household contacts through the use of shared shoes, 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 a flu or a cold.
Genital HPV is acquired in 60% of cases during the first sexual contact. If a woman is infected, she is able to transmit the virus to 9 out of 10 of her partners. Due to the high contagiousness of condylomas, close contact and the appearance of microtraumas.
Can only one partner have HPV?
Only one partner can have HPV, but it's 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 one partner has a strong immune system, effective resistance to HPV is possible.
If the infection proceeds 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 changes sexual partners;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- Do not use only slippers, underwear, 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 carrier 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, there are no results from using the second vaccine in men.
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;
- second;
- tertiary
Primary prevention methods include vaccination.
Secondary prevention includes examinations by medical specialists (dermatologist, gynecologist) with the aim of timely identification of a precancerous condition (cervical erosion, dysplasia, polyps) and treatment.
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 the transmission of infection.