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.
Routes of transmission of human papillomavirus
Papillomavirus is an infection that is found everywhere, this is due to its high contagiousness, the variety of virus types and the ability to remain unharmed in the environment, being found in the exfoliated keratinized cells of the epidermis. The disease remains in the body without manifestations, a person does not suspect for a long time that he is a carrier of HPV. The virus is dangerous because some types pose an oncogenic risk and are associated with 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 sexual intercourse without a condom 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 found in the epidermis in an inactive state. Despite the absence of clinical symptoms, the probability of infecting the partner remains. During sexual intercourse, microtraumas of the mucosa occur, which contribute to the release of the pathogen onto the surface and infection of the partner.
When warts appear, infectivity increases. The cells contain mature viral particles that germinate on the surface of the mucosa or skin. Warts are dangerous, they are sources of HPV.
The appearance of warts is typical of HPV genotypes 6 and 11. They are found in 70% of cases of visits to gynecology.
Growths due to this transmission mechanism have a characteristic localization in the intimate area:
- external and internal genitalia;
- anal area;
- mucosa of the oral cavity.
In men, the head, foreskin and external opening of the urethra are affected. In women: external and internal labia, vagina, perineum, perianal area.
Removal of genital warts is an important stage of treatment that should not be overlooked.
Domestic way
You can get HPV infection in everyday life. It is typical for vulgar warts, the place of appearance of which are the fingers, periungual ridges, the external surface of the hands, forearm, face and other parts of the body. The patient's family members (parents, children) are affected. The papillomavirus gets to 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 normal kissing, 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 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 mucosa contributes to infection. Minor lesions that occur while brushing your teeth or eating hot, rough foods are not noticeable in the oral cavity. This disrupts 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 these are vulgar warts and there is no damage to the genital organs, there is nothing to be afraid of. It is enough to constantly consult a doctor. If the genitals are affected, there is a possibility that the baby will become infected while 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 newborn 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, flat and 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 found 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. Typical locations are the face and hands. Characteristic of adolescence.
Plantar warts are caused by type 1. They 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.
Normally, the body is not infected by this type of warts upon first contact thanks to local immunity. But transmission is possible after the flu or cold.
Genital HPV is acquired in 60% of cases during first sexual contact. If a woman is infected, she is able to transmit the virus to 9 out of 10 partners. Due to the high contagiousness of warts, close contact and the appearance of microtraumas.
Can only one partner have HPV?
Only one partner can have HPV, but it is impossible to be 100% sure. Often people do not suspect that they are infected due to the 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 the infection?
Infection can be prevented by influencing the triggers that contribute to disease transmission. You have to follow the rules:
- rarely change sexual partners;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- Do not use only slippers, linens, towels.
An effective way is vaccination. It is carried out for ages 9 to 26, who have not had HPV. Vaccination is carried out at an older age, if there is no carriage 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 and dangerous strains: 6, 11, 16 and 18. One of the vaccines is used to vaccinate boys, there are no results from the use of the second vaccine on men .
At the moment, only a few countries have added vaccines to the mandatory list (USA, UK).
Vaccines provide immunity for up to 5 years. In these years transfer is not possible.
Prevention of complications
There are several stages to prevent the development of cancer in women:
- primary prevention;
- secondary;
- tertiary
Primary prevention methods include vaccination.
Secondary prevention involves undergoing visits to specialist doctors (dermatologist, gynecologist) in order to promptly identify a precancerous condition (cervical erosion, dysplasia, polyps) and treatment.
Tertiary treatment includes a number of therapeutic measures to treat subclinical clinical forms of HPV, including drug therapy and removal of growths using hardware.
Vaccination is currently considered the most effective way to prevent transmission of the infection.