The papilloma virus can remain in the human body for a long time and not manifest at all. It is activated only when the immune system is weakened. In most cases, the infection does not pose a particular danger, but some of its strains, under certain factors, can degenerate into oncological diseases. And that already represents a threat to human life. It is impossible to completely get rid of the pathogenic microorganism. Therefore, it is very important to know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted to reduce the risk of HPV infection.
Characteristics of the virus and its transport
The human papillomavirus causes the formation of benign neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes. They look like a papilla, which protrudes several millimeters above the surface. As a rule, this growth appears when the body's defenses are weakened. Usually the person lives calm and does not even think "I can be a carrier or not" for now. Why papillomas are formed:
- frequent hypothermia or overheating;
- presence of concomitant diseases;
- inadequate nutrition;
- presence of bad habits;
- frequent stress, depression, overwork;
- lack of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
90% of the world's inhabitants are carriers of the papillomavirus. The question that immediately arises is whether the human papillomavirus is contagious or not. The answer is yes. No one is 100% safe from infections. Therefore, it is very important to know how you can be infected with HPV (human papilloma virus).
How the human papillomavirus is transmitted
Since the probability of contracting HPV is very high, the question often arises of how the infection (human papillomavirus) is transmitted. Knowing the answer to that question can significantly reduce your risk of infection. Pathogenic microorganisms are transmitted from person to person. These are the most common routes of infection. Contact infection methods:
- Sexually transmitted HPV pathogen (through sex). Often, the spread of an oncogenic microorganism occurs in this way. For example, like HPV 16 and 18. Strains of types 16 and 18 are fatal, as they can degenerate into oncological diseases.
- Methods of contact infection. You can infect a person by touching, hugging, kissing. The virus enters the body through damage, micro fissures in the skin. Therefore, you do not need to get in close contact with people if you see a mole on your body (if you are unsure whether it is contagious).
Transmission paths can also be domestic. How can you get an infection (papilloma) this way:
- using personal care products (towel, face cloth, toothbrush, etc. );
- the 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 the floor, benches, etc. ).
The disease is not hereditary. However, a newborn baby can also be infected. How a baby can have papilloma:
- during the intrauterine development of an infected mother;
- through the birth canal at the time of birth.
Pregnant women need to be very careful to avoid infecting or activating a pathogen.After all, not only their health depends, but also the baby's life.
Human papilloma (HPV), as it is transmitted: infection can occur in medical centers, hairdressing salons, beauty salons due to insufficient sterilization of the instruments. This is rarely the case, as such institutions, as a rule, comply with all health standards, but there is still a place to be.
An infected person may not even be aware of it. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo routine diagnostic tests annually. It has now become clear how the infection occurs. Thanks to this, preventive measures can be taken and infections can be prevented.
Sexual method
Previously, we discovered how you can be infected with a benign neoplasm (papillomavirus). It was clear that most of the time HPV is transmitted through intimacy (sexually). In addition, you can become infected with all types of sex (vaginal, oral, anal).Papilloma by intimate contact (sexually) is transmitted by contact of the mucous membranes, if they are damaged. In addition, the risk of infection is greater with anal sex, as 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 one of the partners has it? In addition, during sexual intercourse, infection with oncogenic strains of the virus often occurs.
Sex with HPV is acceptable. But during this, you should always use barrier contraceptives (condoms). According to statistics, protection helps prevent infection in men and women in 2 out of 3 cases. Without contraception, the risk of infection rises to 90%. If one of the people entering the intimacy is infected, it is necessary to have a diagnostic test regularly for the oncogenicity of the pathogen (a healthy partner for the presence of HPV).
However, during sexual intercourse, even with a contraceptive, undesirable phenomena can occur. During sex, growth can be hindered. As a result, another infection may be introduced into the wound or blood poisoning may occur. In addition, damage to the neoplasm can cause it to degenerate into malignant. Therefore,having sex while on HPV treatment is undesirable.If you do, be very careful. But it is still better to have a connection only after treatment. Sex life after removal of papillomas is less risky.
It is believed that the papillomavirus can be activated by masturbation. This is supposed to be an incomplete sexual relationship, as a result of which hormonal disturbances and weakened immune systems occur. This opinion is wrong. Masturbation in no way affects the protective functions of the body.
For oral sex
HPV can be transmitted from women to men and vice versa through oral sex. This happens through microdanks on the skin and mucous membranes. Through oral sex, HPV strains are more often transmitted and can degenerate into cancer.
A condom for oral sex reduces the risk of infection only if you are given a blowjob. With cunnilingus in 90% of cases, the infection cannot be prevented.
Is the human papillomavirus transmitted from mother to child?
As adults are usually infected with papillomavirus, we found out. Now it is necessary to understand whether the human papillomavirus is transmitted from the mother to the child, how it happens and what the risk is for babies.
In a newborn, the infection can occur through touching and kissing the mother, if she is a carrier of the pathogenic microorganism. The infection enters the baby's body through damage to the skin or mucous membranes.
Infection can also occur during fetal development. From an infected woman to her fetus. In addition, the infection can occur during delivery. Although rare, it has dire consequences.
Through Kiss and Blood
How human papillomavirus infection is transmitted:
- by means of saliva;
- through a kiss;
- through the blood.
The question immediately arises: if HPV is transmitted by 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) to your oral cavity, kissing is perfectly acceptable. However, this is a very risky decision. There may be lesions in the mouth that are not felt and that you do not even notice.
The possibility of infection by human papillomavirus through blood has not been scientifically proven. There have been cases where the infection occurred during the transfusion.However, this is not evidence that the pathogen can be transmitted in this way.Perhaps the infection in these cases was made using poorly sterilized instruments.
Domestic way
In 85-90% of cases, it is possible to be infected inside the home when one of the family members is infected.
Pathogenic microorganisms at home are often transmitted from parents to children. The child's immunity is still fragile and therefore the baby is more susceptible to infection. Domestic infection can occur as follows:
- if there is damage to the skin, the infection can occur through the use of sheets, towels, face cloths, soap, cosmetics and shared hugs;
- through saliva, you can become infected by using a plate, a toothbrush, kissing with a virus carrier;
- when wearing an infected person's clothing (especially underwear);
- in a domestic environment, autoinfection may occur during shaving, hair removal.
In addition, infection in public places is a common form of transmission of the pathogen. For example, in the pool, Turkish bath, sauna. And also with frequent handshakes and friendly hugs.
How not to be infected with papillomavirus
How not to contract HPV (human papillomavirus):
- avoid frequent changes of sexual partners;
- protect yourself during intimacy;
- not using other people's stuff;
- don't wear other people's clothes;
- avoid visiting public baths, saunas, swimming pools (or at least take a personal towel with you, shoes that can be changed);
- do not drink or eat food from infected people;
- carefully approach the choice of cosmetology, clinic, hairdresser (you need to make sure that all sterilization rules are followed in the institution);
- Do not have close contact with carriers of the virus.
If you develop papillomas, see your doctor. He will make the necessary diagnoses, determine the strain of the pathogen and, if necessary, prescribe an effective treatment.
A condom protects
If one of the partners has HPV, it is necessary to use a condom during sexual intercourse. However, a contraceptive is not a 100% guarantee that the infection will not be transmitted. Obviously, the pathogenwill not be able to break the condom, but the infection can occur in a different way.
Infection can occur with foreplay. Through micro-cracks in the skin or mouth. In this case, a barrier contraceptive does not skimp.
Treatment methods
If you have HPV, the infection may be latent in the body and not cause any problems.To prevent growth in the body, you need to monitor the state of your immune system.The stronger, the lower the risk of neoplasms.
If tumors occur, your doctor may advise you not to take any action (as long as the papillomas do not cause discomfort and do not have an oncogenic strain). If the decision is 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 papilloma degeneration in oncological disease, surgical intervention is prescribed (if there is no contraindication).