The papillomavirus can stay in the human body for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. It is only activated when the immune system is weakened. In most cases, the infection does not present a particular danger, but some of its strains, under certain factors, can degenerate into oncological diseases. And this is already a threat to human life. It is impossible to completely get rid of the pathogenic microorganism. Hence, it is very important to know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted in order to reduce the risk of HPV infection.
Characteristics of the virus and its transport
Human papillomavirus causes benign neoplasms to form on the skin and mucous membranes. They look like a papilla, which protrudes several millimeters above the surface. As a rule, such growth appears when the body's defenses are weakened. Usually a person lives quietly and doesn't even think "I may or may not be a carrier" yet. Why papillomas form:
- frequent hypothermia or overheating;
- presence of concomitant diseases;
- poor nutrition;
- presence of bad habits;
- frequent stress, depression, overwork;
- lacks vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
90% of the world's inhabitants are carriers of the papillomavirus. The question immediately arises as to whether the human papillomavirus is contagious or not. The answer is yes. No one is 100% insured against infection. Therefore, it is very important to know how you can get infected with HPV (human papillomavirus).
How the human papillomavirus is transmitted
Since the likelihood of contracting HPV is very high, the question often arises as to how the infection (human papillomavirus) is transmitted. Knowing the answer to this question can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Pathogenic microorganisms are transmitted from person to person. These are the most common routes of infection. Contact infection methods:
- Pathogen of HPV transmitted sexually (through having sex). Very often the spread of an oncogenic microorganism occurs in this way. For example, like HPV 16 and 18. Strains of 16 and 18 types are fatal because they can degenerate into oncological diseases.
- Contact infection methods. You can infect a person by touching, hugging, kissing. The virus enters the body through damage, microcracks in the skin. Therefore, you don't need to come into close contact with people if you observe a wart on their body (if you doubt it is contagious).
Transmission paths can also be domestic. How can you get an infection (papilloma) like this:
- by personal hygiene products (towel, washcloth, toothbrush, etc. );
- human papillomavirus can be transmitted through clothing (infection occurs through skin lesions); The infection
- can occur in public baths, saunas (the pathogen can be on floors, benches, etc. ).
The disease is not inherited. However, a newborn baby can also be infected. How a baby can get papilloma:
- during intrauterine development of an infected mother;
- through the birth canal at the time of birth.
Pregnant women should be very careful to avoid infecting or activating any pathogen.After all, not only their health depends on it, but also the life of the baby.
Human papilloma (HPV), how is it transmitted: Infection can occur in medical centers, hairdressers, beauty salons due to insufficient sterilization of instruments. This happens extremely rarely, because such institutions, as a rule, meet all sanitary standards, but there is always a place to be.
An infected person may not even be aware of it. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo routine diagnostic examinations every year. It has now become clear how the infection occurs. Thanks to this, preventive measures can be taken and infection can be avoided.
Sexual method
Earlier we found out how you can get infected with a benign neoplasm (papillomavirus). It has become clear that HPV is most often transmitted during intimacy (sexually). In addition, you can get infected through all types of sex (vaginal, oral, anal).Intimate contact papilloma (sexually) is transmitted by contact of mucous membranes, if they are damaged. In addition, the risk of infection is higher with anal sex because it is more traumatic.
Considering that during intimate contact the risk of infection increases, the question arises, is it possible to have sex with HPV if a partner has it? In addition, during sexual intercourse, infection with oncogenic strains of the virus often occurs.
Sex with HPV is okay. But during this, you should still use barrier contraception (condoms). According to statistics, protection prevents infection in men and women in 2 out of 3 cases. Without contraception, the risk of infection is 90%. If any of the people entering intimacy is infected, it is necessary to regularly undergo a diagnostic examination for the oncogenicity of the pathogen (a healthy partner for the presence of HPV).
However, during intercourse, even with contraceptives, unwanted phenomena may occur. During intercourse, the growth can be damaged. As a result, another infection may be introduced into the wound or blood poisoning may occur. Also, damage to the neoplasm can cause it to degenerate into a malignant neoplasm. So it turns out thathaving sex while on HPV treatment is undesirable.If you do this, be extremely careful. But it is always better to have a connection only after the treatment. Sexual life after papilloma removal is less risky.
It is believed that the papillomavirus can be activated by masturbation. Apparently, this is improper intercourse, as a result of which hormonal disruption and weakening of the immune system occurs. This opinion is wrong. Masturbation does not in any way affect the protective functions of the body.
For oral sex
HPV can be spread from woman to man and vice versa by mouth. This occurs through micro damage to the skin and mucous membranes. Through oral sex, strains of HPV are most often transmitted, which can degenerate into cancer.
A condom for oral sex only reduces the risk of infection if a blowjob is given. With cunnilingus in 90% of cases, infection cannot be avoided.
Is human papillomavirus transmitted from mother to child?
How adults are most often infected with HPV, we've figured out. Now it is necessary to understand whether the human papillomavirus is transmitted from mother to child, how it happens and what is the risk to babies.
In a newborn baby, infection can occur by touching and kissing the mother, if she is a carrier of the pathogenic microorganism. The infection enters the baby's body damaging the skin or mucous membranes.
Infection can also occur during the development of the fetus. From an infected woman to her fetus. In addition, infection can occur during childbirth. Although rare, it has dire consequences.
By kiss and blood
How is human papillomavirus infection spread:
- by saliva;
- with a kiss;
- by blood.
The question immediately arises, if HPV is spread through kissing, can you kiss an infected person? This decision is up to you. If you are 100% sure that there is no damage (even microscopic) in your oral cavity, then kissing is perfectly fine. However, it is a rather risky decision. There may be lesions in the mouth that are not felt and that you are not even aware of.
The possibility of infection with the human papillomavirus through the blood has not been scientifically proven. There have been cases of infection occurring during the transfusion.However, this does not prove that the pathogen can be transmitted in this way.Perhaps the infection in these cases was caused by improperly sterilized instruments.
Chemin du foyer
In 85-90% of cases, it is possible to become infected in the household when one of the family members is infected.
Pathogenic microorganisms in the home are very often transmitted from parents to children. The child's immunity is still fragile and the baby is therefore more vulnerable to infections. Domestic infection can occur as follows:
- if there is damage to the skin, infection can occur through the use of shared bedding, towels, washcloths, soap, cosmetics and hugs;
- through saliva, you can be infected by using a dish, a toothbrush, kissing with a carrier of the virus;
- when wearing the clothes of an infected person (especially underwear);
- in a domestic environment, self-infection may occur during shaving, waxing.
Infection in public places is also a common means of transmission of the pathogen. For example, in the swimming pool, the steam bath, the sauna. And also with frequent handshakes and friendly hugs.
How not to get infected with papillomavirus
How not to get HPV (human papillomavirus):
- avoid frequent changes of sexual partners;
- protect yourself during privacy;
- not to use other people's things;
- do not wear other people's clothes;
- avoid visiting public baths, saunas, swimming pools (or at least wear a personal towel, changing shoes);
- do not drink beverages or eat food from infected people;
- carefully approach the choice of cosmetology, clinic, hairdresser (you need to make sure that all the rules of sterilization are observed in the establishment);
- Does not come into close contact with carriers of the virus.
If you develop papillomas, see your doctor. He will carry out the necessary diagnostics, determine the strain of the pathogen and, if necessary, prescribe effective treatment.
Does a condom protect
If either partner has HPV, it is necessary to use a condom during sex. However, a contraceptive is not a 100% guarantee that the infection will not be transmitted. Of course, the pathogenwill not be able to pierce the condom, but infection can occur in a different way.
Infection can occur during foreplay. By microcracks in the skin or in the mouth. In this case, a barrier contraceptive will not save.
Processing methods
If you are a carrier of HPV, the infection may be dormant in your body and not cause any problems.To avoid growths on the body, you need to monitor the state of your immune system.The stronger it is, the lower the risk of neoplasm formation.
If there is growth, your doctor may advise you not to take any action (provided the papillomas are not causing discomfort and have no oncogenic strain). If a decision was made to get rid of neoplasms, then, as a rule, this is done by conservative methods. If drug treatment does not give a therapeutic result or there is a risk of degeneration of the papilloma into an oncological disease, surgical intervention is prescribed (if there are no contraindications for this).