Absolutely everyone needs to know how the human papillomavirus spreads. More than half of the world's population is already a carrier of papillomavirus. HPV is a special microorganism that is able to multiply in epithelial cells and prevent them from dividing. It is activated more often in the body than women. Are people infected with the virus and how does it spread? Only if you have complete information about how the virus spreads can you alert yourself and your loved ones to the infection. The main source of infection is the carrier of the HPV virus.
Transmission methods
The mechanisms by which it can become infected are:
- contact;
- vertical (from mother to child during labor).
The contact mechanism is implemented through sexual and contact-household methods. Therefore, HPV can spread in the following ways:
- handshake and kiss;
- use of hygiene products of others, including razors, wipes, soap, towels and cosmetics;
- wearing clothes that carry the infection;
- visits to public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
The oncogenic types of the virus are sexually transmitted. The risk of infection increases many times over in people who are unusual in their partner. The more often they change, the more likely it is to be infected, and even with a condom, you may not be sure of its safety.
Homosexual intercourse can also become infected because they are characterized by damage to the epithelium and mucous membranes. And a condom doesn't really help in that case either. The presence of warts in the body of a sexual partner also indicates the possibility of acquiring HPV through microtraumas in the body.
Pregnant women with HPV should be aware of the possibility of the child becoming infected through the birth canal.
Infection is performed only in the presence of typical growths in the genital area and cervix. However, papillomavirus infection in a child manifests as laryngeal growth, which is particularly dangerous. It will be difficult for the baby to breathe and eat, and choking may occur.
Conditions conducive to infection
Contact with an HPV carrier does not necessarily indicate an infection. Only if there are changes in the skin and mucous membranes can the papillomavirus get into the body. Accordingly, HPV is much more easily infected if it is applied to the skin:
- wounds;
- scratches;
- abrasions;
- cracks;
- abrasions;
- combing.
During sexual intercourse, it should be borne in mind that various skin lesions may be present on the tissues adjacent to the genitals. Using a condom can also cause an infection.
The mucosa becomes insecure from being infected 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 increases are found, treatment should be given not only by the HPV carrier but also by the partner.
Violation of the vaginal microflora in women, and even in both sexes, can lead to a decrease in immunity, and accordingly, the papillomavirus enters the body more easily.
HPV activation
Even if the papillomavirus infection is already present in the body, its manifestations cannot be noticed. It is not at all necessary for growths to appear on the body. Papillomavirus often occurs at a latent stage and is completely asymptomatic.
HPV is comparable to the herpes virus, which is present in the body of a large part of the population, but the characteristic symptoms that appear in the body do not always indicate its presence. With a strong immune system, the papillomavirus may not multiply.
It only starts to get worse under conditions that are favorable for HPV infection to develop. Active proliferation of virions occurs in the nucleus of cells, leading to disruption of cell proliferation. Using human cells, the papillomavirus makes copies of itself. This results in uncontrolled proliferation of cells and the appearance of neoplasms in the body.
Conditions that trigger the virus:
- exacerbation of any disease that can be called chronic;
- recent infectious diseases;
- presence of intestinal infection;
- congenital immunodeficiency;
- diet and non-compliance with the diet;
- work in production that falls into the harmful category;
- common stressful situations.
Activation of the virus can be caused by a variety of factors that more or less affect the state of the immune system. Only in the case of depressed immunity do neoplasms appear in the body.
Preventive measures
There are a number of preventative measures that make it unlikely that a human papillomavirus infection will enter the body.
- all skin lesions should be treated with antiseptics;
- use only personal care products;
- rubber slippers must be used in public saunas, baths and swimming pools;
- all diseases must be treated in time;
- loyalty to a single sexual partner you can trust;
- use a condom for any sexual intercourse. Although this does not guarantee safety, the papillomavirus is less likely to enter women and men through condoms;
- Regular exercise;
- hardening of the body;
- adherence to sleep and nutrition.
Such precautions should be taken not only to avoid HPV infection but also other sexually transmitted infections. A condom guarantees protection against a number of diseases that provoke the activation of the HPV virus.
The presence and manifestation of the virus in the body of pregnant women in the genital area and the complete examination and removal of such neoplasms are required. If there are papillomas in the genitals, a cesarean section is recommended for women to prevent the child from becoming infected during passage through the birth canal.
There is a special vaccine against highly oncogenic virus strains that is mainly recommended for women and adolescents under 26 years of age. Even if the HPV carrier itself is inoculated, its immunity is greatly improved and the virus enters an inactive phase.
However, it must be taken into account that the virus does not disappear from the body and, accordingly, the person remains the carrier of the infection. For safety reasons, you should use a condom during intercourse and use only personal care products.
Forecast
They are more prone to such manifestations of HPV than growths in the body of women. Their immune systems are much weaker and not resistant to the virus. However, we have no reason to believe that a man does not have to worry about the presence of the virus. It is also a threat as a source of infection.
Neoplasms in the body cannot be removed on their own. All measures should only be taken under the supervision of your doctor.
Infection can be avoided. It is enough to observe personal hygiene, use a condom during intercourse, pay close attention to your own skin, and pay attention to the presence of growths on your loved one’s body.