Absolutely everyone should know how human papillomavirus is transmitted. More than half of the world's population are already carriers of the papillomavirus. HPV is a special microorganism capable of reproducing itself in epithelial cells and preventing their division. It is most often activated in the body in women. Are people carriers of the contagious virus and what are the ways of transmitting it? Only by having complete information about what are the ways of transmitting the virus, you can warn yourself and your loved ones from the infection. The main source of infection is the carrier of the HPV virus.
Transfer methods
Among the mechanisms under the influence of which you can become infected, there are:
- contact;
- vertical (from mother to child at birth).
The implementation of the contact mechanism is carried out through sexual and contact-family channels. Therefore, HPV can be transmitted through:
- handshakes and kisses;
- use of other people's hygiene products, which include a razor, washing cloth, soap, towels and cosmetics;
- wearing clothes belonging to the carrier of the infection;
- visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
Oncogenic strains of the virus are sexually transmitted. The risk of infection increases many times in those people who are debauched in partners. The more often they change, the higher the likelihood of infection, even using condoms you can not be sure of your safety.
You can also become infected through homosexuality because they are the ones characterized by damage to the epithelium and mucosa. And a condom in this case also does not really help. The presence of warts on the body of a sexual partner also signals the possibility of getting HPV through microtraumas in 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 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 at particular risk. The child will find it difficult to breathe and eat, possibly even choking.
Favorable conditions for infection
Contact with a person who is an HPV carrier does not necessarily mean infection. Only if there are lesions on the skin and mucous membranes can the papillomavirus enter the body. Therefore, HPV is much easier to get infected if the skin has:
- Wounds;
- scratches;
- erosions;
- cracks;
- erosions;
- combing.
During sexual intercourse, it should be borne in mind that different types of skin injuries can be in the tissues adjacent to the genitals. Infection can also occur while using a condom.
The mucosa becomes uninsured from infection with a depressed immune system. The appearance of papillomas and warts in the genital area is often caused by the presence of other infections in the body. If such increases are found, treatment should be performed 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 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 in the body. Papillomavirus often appears in the latent stage and absolutely without symptoms.
HPV can be compared to the herpes virus, which is also present in the body of the majority of the population, but the characteristic symptoms in the body do not always indicate its presence. With a strong immune system, the papillomavirus cannot multiply.
Only under favorable conditions for the development of HPV infection begins to intensify. There is an active reproduction of virions in cell nuclei, which leads to disturbances in cell reproduction. Using human cells, the papillomavirus creates copies of itself. As a result, uncontrolled cell reproduction and the appearance of neoplasms in the body.
Conditions that provoke virus activation:
- exacerbation of any disease that may be called chronic;
- recent infectious diseases;
- the presence of an intestinal infection;
- congenital immunodeficiency;
- non-compliance with diet and diet;
- production work, which belongs to the category of harmful;
- frequent stressful situations.
Activation of the virus can be caused by various factors that, to a greater or lesser extent, affect the state of the immune system. Only with failed immunity do neoplasms appear in the body.
Preventive measures
There are a number of preventative measures, due to which human papillomavirus infection most likely does not enter the body.
- all skin lesions should be treated with antiseptics;
- use only personal hygiene products;
- in public saunas, baths and swimming pools it is necessary to use slippers made of rubber;
- any disease must be treated in a timely manner;
- fidelity to a trusted sexual partner;
- use a condom for any sexual intercourse. Although this does not guarantee safety, however, through the condom, papillomavirus enters the body of women and men with less probability;
- regular exercises;
- body strengthening;
- adherence to sleep and nutrition.
These precautions should be taken not only to avoid HPV infection but also other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms provide a guarantee against infection with many diseases that provoke 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 thorough examination and removal of such neoplasms is necessary. If there are papillomas in the genitals, a cesarean section is recommended for a woman to prevent infection of the baby while passing into the birth canal.
There is a special vaccine against highly oncogenic strains of viruses, which is mainly recommended for women under 26 years of age and adolescents. Even if the HPV carrier himself is vaccinated, his immunity is significantly improved and the virus enters an inactive phase.
At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the virus does not disappear from the body and, accordingly, the person remains a carrier of the infection. For safety reasons, he should use condoms during sexual intercourse and use only personal hygiene products.
prediction
Most prone to such manifestations of HPV as growth in the female body's body. Their immune system is much weaker and does not resist the virus well. But at the same time, there is no reason to believe that a man should not worry about the presence of a virus. It also poses a threat, being a source of infection.
Every neoplasm in the body cannot be removed independently. All operations should be performed only under the supervision of the attending physician.
Infection can be avoided. Just follow personal hygiene, use a condom during sex, carefully monitor your skin and pay attention to the presence of growths on the body of loved ones.