Absolutely everyone should know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted. More than half of the world's population are already carriers of the papillomavirus. HPV is a special microorganism that can multiply in epithelial cells and prevent them from dividing. Activated in the body more often in women. Are people who carry the virus contagious and how are they transmitted? Only if you have complete information about the transmission routes of the virus can you warn yourself and loved ones about infection. The main source of infection is the carrier of the HPV virus.
transmission methods
The mechanisms under the influence of which you can become infected include:
- Contact;
- vertical (from mother to child during labour).
The implementation of the contact mechanism occurs through the sexual and contact-household pathways. Therefore, HPV can be transmitted by:
- handshake and kiss;
- the use of other people's hygiene products, including razors, washcloths, soap, towels and cosmetics;
- wearing clothing belonging to the carrier of the infection;
- Visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
Oncogenic types of the virus are sexually transmitted. The risk of infection increases several times in people who are promiscuous in partners. The more often they change, the higher the chance of contagion, and even with a condom, you cannot be sure of your safety.
You can also get infected with homosexual relationships, since they are characterized by violations of the epithelium and mucous membrane. And a condom doesn't really help in this case either. The presence of warts on the body of a sexual partner also signals the possibility of acquiring HPV through microtrauma on the body.
Pregnant women who are HPV carriers should be aware of the possibility of infecting an infant during its passage through the birth canal.
Infection occurs only in the presence of characteristic growths in the genital area and cervix. At the same time, papillomavirus infection in a child manifests itself in the form of growths in the larynx, which are especially dangerous. It will be difficult for the baby to breathe and eat, maybe even choke.
Conditions conducive to infection
Contact with a person who is a carrier of HPV does not necessarily mean infection. Only with lesions of the skin and mucous membranes can the papillomavirus enter the body. Accordingly, HPV is much easier to infect when the skin:
- wounds;
- Scratch;
- abrasions;
- cracks;
- abrasions;
- Comb.
During sexual intercourse, it should be remembered that various types of skin injuries can occur on the tissues adjacent to the genitals. Contagion can also occur when using a condom.
The mucosa is uninsured from infection with a weakened immune system. The appearance of papillomas and warts in the genital area is often provoked by the presence of other infections in the body. If such growths are detected, treatment should be carried out not only by the HPV carrier, but also by his partner.
Violation of the microflora of the vagina in women and even the intestines in both sexes can also lead to a decrease in immunity, and accordingly the papillomavirus enters the body more easily.
HPV activation
Even if a papillomavirus infection is already present in the body, you may not notice any of its manifestations. It is not at all necessary for growths to appear on the body. Papillomaviruses often appear in the latent stage and without any symptoms at all.
HPV can be compared to the herpes virus, which is also present in the body of most of the population, but characteristic symptoms on the body are far from always indicating its presence. With a strong immune system, the papilloma virus cannot multiply.
Only under favorable conditions for the development of HPV infection begins to intensify. There is an active multiplication of virions in the cell nuclei, which leads to cell multiplication disorders. Using human cells, the papillomavirus creates copies of itself. As a result, uncontrolled cell reproduction and the appearance of neoplasms on the body.
Conditions that provoke activation of the virus:
- aggravation of diseases that can be called chronic;
- recent infectious diseases;
- the presence of an intestinal infection;
- congenital immunodeficiency;
- non-compliance with diet and diet;
- work in production, which belongs to the category of harmful;
- frequent stressful situations.
Activation of the virus can be caused by various factors that affect the state of the immune system to a greater or lesser extent. Neoplasms appear on the body only with weakened immunity.
preventive measures
There are a number of preventive measures due to which there is a high probability that human papillomavirus infection does not enter the body.
- all skin damage should be treated with antiseptics;
- use only personal care products;
- rubber slippers must be used in public saunas, baths and swimming pools;
- any disease must be treated in a timely manner;
- loyalty to a sexual partner who can be trusted;
- Use a condom every time you have sex. Although this does not guarantee safety, the papillomavirus is less likely to enter the body of women than men through a condom;
- regular exercise;
- hardening of the body;
- Compliance with sleep and diet.
Such precautions should be taken not only to avoid infection with HPV, but also with other sexually transmitted infections. The condom provides a guarantee against infection with many diseases that cause activation of the HPV virus.
In the case of the presence of a virus in the body of pregnant women and its manifestations in the genital area, a full examination and removal of such neoplasms is required. If there are papillomas on the genitals, a woman is recommended to have a cesarean section to prevent infection of the child during its passage through the birth canal.
There is a special vaccine against highly oncogenic virus strains that is recommended primarily for women under the age of 26 and adolescents. Also, on condition that the HPV carrier is vaccinated himself, his immunity improves significantly, and the virus goes into an inactive phase.
At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the virus does not go away from the body and, accordingly, the person remains a carrier of the infection. For safety reasons, he must use a condom during intercourse and use only personal hygiene products.
forecast
More prone to such manifestations of HPV as growths on the body of women's body. Their immune system is much weaker and doesn't resist the virus well. But at the same time there is no reason to believe that a man does not have to worry about the presence of a virus. It also poses a threat as it is a source of infection.
Any new growths on the body cannot be removed independently. All actions may only be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
Infection can be avoided. It is enough to follow personal hygiene, use a condom during sexual intercourse, carefully monitor your own skin and pay attention to the presence of growths on the body of loved ones.