Absolutely everyone should know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted. More than half of the world's population already carries the papillomavirus. HPV is a special microorganism capable of reproducing in epithelial cells and preventing their division. Most often activated in the body in women. Are people carrying the virus contagious and what are the ways of transmission? Only by having complete information on what are the ways of transmission of the virus, can you warn yourself and your loved ones from infection. The main source of infection is the vector of the HPV virus.
Transfer methods
Among the mechanisms under the influence of which you can get infected, there are:
- contact;
- vertical (from mother to child during labor).
The implementation of the contact mechanism takes place through sexual and family contact modalities. Therefore, HPV can be transmitted through:
- handshake and kiss;
- the use of other people's hygiene products, which include razor, washcloth, soap, towel and cosmetics;
- wearing clothes that belong to the carrier of the infection;
- visit public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
The oncogenic types of the virus are sexually transmitted. The risk of infection increases many times in those people who are promiscuous in partners. The more often they change, the greater the likelihood of infection and even using a condom you cannot be sure of your safety.
You can also get infected with homosexual relationships, because it is they who are characterized by injuries to the epithelium and mucous membrane. And even then a condom doesn't help much. The presence of warts on a sexual partner's body also signals the possibility of acquiring HPV through microtrauma on the body.
Pregnant women who are carriers of HPV should be aware of the possibility of infecting a baby as it passes through the birth canal.
Infection is carried out 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, possibly even choking.
Conditions conducive to infection
Contact with a person who is a carrier of HPV does not necessarily mean infection. Only if there are lesions on the skin and mucous membranes, the papillomavirus can enter the body. As a result, HPV is much easier to infect if the skin has:
- wounds;
- scratches;
- abrasions;
- cracks;
- abrasions;
- combing.
During sexual intercourse, it should be borne in mind that various types of skin lesions can be on the tissues adjacent to the genitals. When using a condom, it is also possible to carry out the infection.
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 growths are found, 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 of the intestine in both sexes can also lead to a decrease in immunity, and as a result, the papillomavirus enters the body more easily.
HPV activation
Even if the papillomavirus infection is already present in the body, you cannot notice any of its manifestations. It is not at all necessary for the growths to appear on the body. Often the papillomavirus occurs in the latent stage and absolutely without symptoms.
HPV can be compared to the herpes virus, which is also present in the body of most of the population, but the characteristic symptoms on the body are far from always indicating its presence. With a strong immune system, the papillomavirus may not multiply.
Only under favorable conditions for the development of HPV infection does it begin to intensify. There is an active reproduction of virions in the cell nuclei, which leads to disturbances in cell reproduction. Using human cells, the papillomavirus makes copies of itself. As a result, uncontrolled cell reproduction and the appearance of neoplasms on the body.
Conditions that cause the virus to activate:
- exacerbation of any 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 the harmful;
- frequent stressful situations.
The activation of the virus can be caused by various factors which, to a greater or lesser extent, affect the state of the immune system. Only with depressed immunity, neoplasms appear on the body.
Prevention measures
There are a number of preventive measures, due to which it is very likely that human papillomavirus infection will not enter the body.
- all skin damage must be treated with antiseptics;
- use only personal hygiene products;
- in saunas, baths and public swimming pools it is necessary to use rubber slippers;
- any disease must be treated in a timely manner;
- loyalty to a sexual partner who can be trusted;
- use a condom for any sexual intercourse. Although this does not guarantee safety, however, through the condom, the papillomavirus enters the body 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 avoid HPV infection but other sexually transmitted infections as well. The condom provides a guarantee against the infection of many diseases that cause the 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 comprehensive examination and removal of such neoplasms is required. If there are papillomas on the genitals, a caesarean section is recommended for a woman to prevent infection of the baby while passing through the birth canal.
There is a special vaccine against highly oncogenic virus strains, recommended mainly for women under the age of 26 and adolescents. Even under the condition that the HPV carrier himself is vaccinated, his immunity greatly improves and the virus goes into an inactive phase.
At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that the virus does not disappear from the body, and as a result, the person remains a carrier of the infection. For safety reasons, you should use a condom during intercourse and only use personal hygiene products.
Forecast
More prone to such manifestations of HPV as growths on the body of the body of women. Their immune systems are much weaker and do not 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, being a source of infection.
Any neoplasms on the body cannot be removed independently. All actions should be carried out only 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 skin and pay attention to the presence of growths on the body of loved ones.