Papillomavirus is one of the most common infections that affects 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 is found everywhere, this is due to its high contagiousness, the variety of types of viruses and the ability to remain unharmed in the environment, being in keratinized cells exfoliated from the epidermis. The disease remains in the body without manifestations, the person goes a long time without suspecting that they are a carrier of HPV. The virus is dangerous because some types present an oncogenic risk and are associated with cancer.
The human papillomavirus has many different routes of infection and transmission involving direct contact.
Sexual intercourse
According to research, the main route of transmission of genital HPV is sexual contact. Both men and women can carry HPV. When infected during condomless 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 episomal state, not integrated 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 likelihood of infecting a partner remains. During sexual intercourse, microtraumas of the mucosa occur, which contributes to the release of the pathogen on the surface and infection of the partner.
When condylomas appear, infectivity increases. The cells contain mature viral particles that bud to the surface of the mucous membrane or skin. Condylomas are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The occurrence of condylomas is typical of HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of gynecological consultations.
Growths due to this transmission mechanism have a characteristic location in the intimate area:
- external and internal genitalia;
- anal region;
- 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, vagina, perineum, perianal region.
Removing genital warts is an important stage of treatment that should not be neglected.
Domestic way
You can become infected with HPV in everyday life. It is typical of vulgar warts, the site of which is the fingers, nail ridges, the outer surface of the hands, the forearm, the face and other parts of the body. The sick person's family members (parents, children) are affected. The papillomavirus reaches another person when using shared hygiene products (towel, shoes), shaking hands, wearing the same clothes, hugging.
There is a possibility 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 a common kiss, affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and the skin of the face. Types 6 and 11 most often affect the mouth. They are found in 90% of genital wart cases. 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. Mild injuries that occur while brushing teeth or eating hot, rough foods are not noticed 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 they are common warts and there is no damage to the genitals, there is nothing to fear. Just consult a doctor regularly. If the genitals are affected, there is a possibility that the child may 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 a child is not possible through milk during breastfeeding and through blood through the placenta.
Are papillomas on the body contagious?
The skin of the body is affected by vulgar and flat 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 located 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 sites 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 through household contact through the use of shared shoes, foot towels and in swimming pools.
Normally, the body does not get infected by these types of warts on first contact due to local immunity. But transmission is possible after a cold or flu.
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 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. People often 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 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, sheets, 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 is no carriage of the virus. For this, a diagnostic method is used that determines 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, there are no results from using the second vaccine in men.
At this time, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (US, UK).
Vaccines provide immunity for up to 5 years. Transfer is not possible during these years.
Preventing complications
There are several steps to prevent the development of cancer in women:
- Primary prevention;
- secondary;
- tertiary
Primary prevention methods include vaccination.
Secondary prevention involves examinations by specialist doctors (dermatologist, gynecologist) to timely identify a precancerous condition (cervical erosion, 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.
At this time, vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent the transmission of infection.