How HPV and methods of infection occur

About 80% of the world's population is infected with the human papillomavirus. Since HPV infection can cause not only harmless papillomas on the body, but also genital warts, as well as a rash that can malignantly degenerate, it is very important to know how HPV occurs. Perhaps this knowledge will help someone prevent infection and protect themselves from dangerous diseases such as cervical, vulva, vagina, anal passage, penis and even breast. In this article we will tell you about HPV: how it is transmitted, risk factors and preventive measures.

How is human papillomavirus transmitted?

First of all, it must be said that the papilloma passes through the epidermis and saliva. At the same time, for some time the infection may be felt and manifest itself by the formation of genital warts and papillomas with only a decrease in immunity.

If we talk about how the papilloma virus is transmitted, then the likelihood of infection increases significantly if there are lesions, scratches and abrasions on the skin.

Attention!Many wonder if papilloma is inherited. The answer is no. Simply, when any member of the family is infected, the papilloma virus is transmitted in daily life or from the mother during childbirth.

The following are known ways of transmitting a viral infection from person to person:

1. It is transmitted through everyday life, that is, through touch, household items, clothing. Infection can be transmitted through kissing.
2. If a person has genital papilloma, transmission can occur sexually or through unprotected sex.
3. Self-infection is possible during shaving, epilation and other skin lesions. Since papilloma is contagious in the vicinity of healthy skin cells, a person can transmit the virus from diseased parts of the body to healthy ones.
4. A vertical route of infection is the transmission of infection from mother to child at birth.
5. Infection occurs much less frequently during blood transfusions, during surgical removal of HPV-induced neoplasms. Also, infection is not ruled out in beauty salons, manicure rooms, baths, saunas and swimming pools where the rules of asepsis are ignored.

If we talk about how you can get papilloma, then in 70% of cases of sexually transmitted infections the culprit is men. In the presence of an epithelial neoplasm on the lips or genitals, the probability of infection is almost 90%. It should also be noted that the presence of a condom, while reducing the risk of infection, still does not guarantee 100 percent protection, as HPV can penetrate the skin of the hands and other parts of the body through microtrauma. Moreover, warts can be localized in the groin or in a public area where a condom does not protect against direct contact with a partner.

Important!If either partner is a carrier of the virus but does not have papillomas, warts or genital warts, the risk of infection of the other partner is greatly reduced.

If you list all the ways in which you can become infected with papillomavirus in a newborn, infection is less likely in the prenatal period because the virus does not enter the bloodstream and the fetus is reliably protected by amniotic fluid, bladder and placenta. However, in medical practice, rare cases of intrauterine infection have been reported with damage to the placenta and fetal bladder.

It is very important to plan a pregnancy to know if the baby's father is contagious and if he can transmit the infection to the expectant mother because the genitals are extremely dangerous for the baby during pregnancy. In case of infection of the baby during childbirth, there is a risk of laryngeal papillomatosis and subsequent suffocation. Since the infection is transmitted through saliva, it is important to note the presence of papillomas, genital warts, and warts on the mucous membranes of a man’s mouth and mouth, as a woman can be infected through oral sex.

If a family member has papilloma, how it is transmitted in everyday life, it is important for all family members to know:

• Common beds, towels, soap, cosmetics, laundry and other personal items can spread the virus through microtraumas on the skin;
• saliva infection is possible when using a single toothbrush, glasses or other utensils;
• It is also possible to get infected through clothing and other household items.

Risk factors

We have found out how you can become infected with human papillomavirus, but it is equally important to know not only the routes of transmission but also the risk factors for human papillomavirus infection.

So, human papillomavirus is much easier to penetrate the skin and mucous membranes against the background of the following provoking factors:

1. In men, children, and women, the infection is likely to occur against a background of reduced immunity. A cold or sore throat can contribute to this.

2. Disruption of the intestinal or vaginal microflora increases the risk of HPV infection. In the first case, the general immunity suffers, in the second case, the body's local defense decreases and the likelihood of contracting sexually increases.
3. Infection of the genitals is more often the cause of infection in the context of other sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis).
4. Any means of transmission can be potentially dangerous for a person with an exacerbation of a chronic disease when the disease is affecting the body.
There is no doubt whether papillomas are contagious. The virus can easily enter the cells of a healthy person from the host if its protection is weakened due to stress, loss of energy, overload or depression.

Important!Any virus is more easily transmitted to women and men who have bad habits (smoking, alcohol). The risk of infection is also significantly increased in women taking combined contraceptives.

The sexually transmitted factors of the virus are the following conditions and diseases:

• Early onset of sexual activity;
• prostitution;
• Frequent change of sexual partners;
• abusive sex life;
• History of sexually transmitted diseases;
• over 35 years of age;
• cervical pathology;
• Immunodeficiency conditions.

Prevention

We understand how human papillomavirus (women, men and children) is transmitted, now it remains to discuss preventive measures. It should be immediately noted that the most effective way of infection is prophylactic vaccination. Two types of vaccines are currently known for this infection. They protect against the most dangerous oncogenic strains of viral infection. However, the high effectiveness of such protection is observed only at an early age by vaccination, before sexual intercourse or by infection with any strain of HPV.

As for other methods of prevention, no one has abolished the rules of hygiene, the use of condoms, choosing a sex life and rejecting bad habits. It is useful to maintain the strength of the immune system: eat properly, in the mood, exercise, walk in the fresh air, periodically drink vitamins.