Of course everyone should know how human papillomavirus is transmitted. More than half of the world’s population is already a carrier of the papillomavirus. HPV is a special microorganism that is able to multiply in epithelial cells and inhibit their division. More often activated in the body in women. Is the person carrying the virus contagious and what is the mode of transmission? Only with full information on how the virus is transmitted, you can warn yourself and loved ones of the infection. The main source of infection is the carrier of the HPV virus.
Transfer Method
Among the mechanisms under the influence of which you can be infected, there are:
- contact;
- vertical (from mother to child during childbirth).
The implementation of the relationship mechanism is done through sexual means and domestic relations. Therefore, HPV can be transmitted through:
- shaking hands and kissing;
- the use of other people’s hygiene products, which include razors, wipes, soap, towels and cosmetics;
- wearing clothing owned by the carrier of the infection;
- visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
This type of oncogenic virus is sexually transmitted. The risk of infection increases many times over in random people in a couple. The more often they change, the higher the chances of infection, and even using a condom you can’t ensure your safety.
You can also be infected with homosexual intercourse, as they are characterized by injury to the epithelium and mucosa. And condoms in this case also don’t really help. The presence of warts on the body of a sexual partner also indicates the possibility of getting HPV through microtraumas on the body.
Pregnant women who are carriers of HPV should be aware of the possibility of infecting the child during its passage through the birth canal.
Infection is carried out only in the presence of characteristic growths in the genital and cervical areas. At the same time, papillomavirus infection in children manifests itself in the form of growths in the larynx, which is a particular danger. It will be difficult for the baby to breathe and eat, possibly even shortness of breath.
Conditions conducive to infection
Contact with someone who is an HPV carrier does not necessarily mean an infection. Only if there are lesions on the skin and mucous membranes, the papillomavirus can enter the body. Therefore, HPV is more susceptible to infection if the skin has:
- wounds;
- scratch;
- melecet;
- crack;
- melecet;
- brush.
During sexual intercourse, keep in mind that various types of skin injuries can occur to tissues adjacent to the genitals. When using condoms, infections can also occur.
The mucosa becomes uninsured from infection with a depressed immune system. The appearance of papillomas and warts in the genital area is often triggered by the presence of other infections in the body. If such a tumor is found, treatment should be carried out not only by the HPV carrier, but also by his partner.
Violation of the vaginal microflora in women as well as the intestines in both sexes can also lead to decreased immunity, and, therefore, papillomavirus enters the body more easily.
HPV activation
Even though the papillomavirus infection is already present in the body, you cannot see any of its manifestations. It is not at all necessary that growth should appear on the body. Often papillomavirus occurs at a latent stage and is completely asymptomatic.
HPV can be compared to the herpes virus, which is also found in the body of most populations, but the characteristic symptoms on the body are far from always indicative of its presence. With a strong immune system, papillomaviruses may not multiply.
Only under favorable conditions for the development of HPV infection begins to increase. There is active reproduction of virions in the cell nucleus, which leads to disturbances in cell reproduction. Using human cells, the papillomavirus creates a copy of itself. As a result, uncontrolled cell proliferation and the appearance of neoplasms on the body.
Conditions that trigger virus activation:
- exacerbation of any disease which may be called chronic;
- recent infectious diseases;
- the presence of intestinal infections;
- congenital immune deficiency;
- diet and dietary non -compliance;
- working in production, which belongs to the hazardous category;
- frequent stressful situations.
Virus activation can be caused by a variety of factors that, to a greater or lesser degree, influence the state of the immune system. Only with suppressed immunity, neoplasms appear on the body.
Preventive measures
There are several preventive measures, which due to human papillomavirus infection most likely do not enter the body.
- all damage to the skin should be treated with antiseptic;
- use only personal hygiene products;
- in public saunas, baths and pools it is necessary to use slippers made of rubber;
- any illness must be treated in a timely manner;
- fidelity to a trustworthy sexual partner;
- use a condom for any sexual intercourse. While this does not guarantee safety, however, through condoms, papillomavirus enters the bodies of both women and men with less probability;
- regular exercise;
- hardening of the body;
- adherence to sleep and nutrition.
Such precautions should be taken not only to prevent HPV infection, but also other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms provide security against infection with many diseases that trigger the HPV virus to activate.
In the case of the presence of the virus in the body of a pregnant woman and its manifestation in the genital area, a full examination and removal of the neoplasm is necessary. If there is a papilloma on the genitals, cesarean section is recommended for women to prevent infection in the child while passing through the birth canal.
There are special vaccines against highly oncogenic viral strains, which are recommended primarily for women under 26 years of age and adolescents. Even in the event that the HPV carrier itself has been vaccinated, its immunity is significantly improved and the virus enters an inactive phase.
At the same time, it must be taken into account that the virus does not disappear from the body, and, thus, the person remains a carrier of the infection. For safety reasons, she should use a condom during intercourse and only use personal hygiene products.
Prediction
More prone to HPV manifestations such as tumors on the female body. Their immune systems are much weaker and do not fight the virus well. But at the same time, there is no reason to believe that a man should not worry about the presence of the virus. It also poses a threat, being a source of infection.
Any neoplasm on the body cannot be removed independently. All actions must be carried out only under the supervision of the treating physician.
Infections can be prevented. It is enough to follow personal hygiene, use condoms during sexual intercourse, carefully monitor your own skin and pay attention to the presence of tumors on the body of loved ones.