The papilloma virus can stay in the human body for a long time and not manifest itself in any way. 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 this already poses a threat to human life. It is impossible to get rid of the pathogenic microorganism completely. 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 carriage
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, such a growth appears when the body's defenses are weakened. Usually a person lives quietly and does not even think “I can be a carrier or not, ” for the time being. Why papillomas are formed:
- frequent hypothermia or overheating;
- presence of concomitant diseases;
- inappropriate 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 immediately arises whether the human papillomavirus is contagious or not. The answer is yes. Nobody 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
Given that the likelihood of contracting HPV is very high, the question often arises of 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 methods of infection:
- Sexually transmitted HPV pathogen (by having sex). Very often, the spread of an oncogenic microorganism occurs in this way. For example, such as HPV 16 and 18. Strains of 16 and 18 types are life-threatening, as they can degenerate into oncological diseases.
- Contact methods of infection. You can infect a person by touching, hugging, kissing. The virus enters the body through damage, microcracks in the skin. Therefore, you do not need to come into close contact with people if you observe a wart on their body (if you doubt whether it is contagious).
Transmission paths can also be domestic. How can you get an infection (papilloma) in this way:
- through personal hygiene products (towel, washcloth, toothbrush, etc. );
- human papillomavirus can be transmitted through clothing (infection occurs through lesions on the skin);
- infection can occur in public baths, saunas (the pathogen can be on the floor, benches, etc. ).
The disease is not inherited. However, a newborn baby can also be infected. How can a baby get papilloma:
- during intrauterine development from 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 on this, but also the life of the baby.
Human papilloma (HPV), how is it transmitted: infection can occur in medical centers, hairdressing salons, beauty salons due to insufficient sterilization of instruments. This happens extremely rarely, because such institutions, as a rule, meet all sanitary standards, but still there is a place to be.
An infected person may not even be aware of it. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo routine diagnostic examinations annually. How the infection occurs has now become clear. Thanks to this, preventive measures can be taken and infection can be avoided.
Sexual method
Earlier, we figured out how you can get infected with a benign neoplasm (papillomavirus). It became clear that most often HPV is transmitted through intimacy (sexually). Moreover, you can get infected with all types of sex (vaginal, oral, anal).Papilloma through intimate contact (sexually) is transmitted by contact of the mucous membranes, if they are damaged. Moreover, the risk of infection is higher 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 partner has it? Moreover, during sexual intercourse, infection with oncogenic strains of the virus often occurs.
Sex with HPV is acceptable. But during it, you should always use barrier contraception (condoms). According to statistics, protection helps to avoid 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 into 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 sexual intercourse, even with a contraceptive, undesirable phenomena can occur. During sex, the growth can be injured. 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 one. Thus, it turns out thathaving sexual intercourse while treating HPV is undesirable.If you do this, be extremely careful. But it's still better to have a connection only after treatment. Sexual life after removal of papillomas is less risky.
It is believed that the papillomavirus can be activated by masturbation. Allegedly, this is an inadequate intercourse, as a result of which hormonal disruption and a weakening of the immune system occur. This opinion is erroneous. 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 through oral sex. This happens through microdamages on the skin and mucous membranes. Through oral sex, HPV strains are most often transmitted, which can degenerate into cancer.
A condom for oral sex only reduces the risk of infection if a blow job is done. With cunnilingus in 90% of cases, infection cannot be avoided.
Is the human papillomavirus transmitted from mother to child?
How adults most often get infected with the papillomavirus, we figured it out. Now it is necessary to understand whether the human papillomavirus is transmitted from mother to her child, how it happens and what is the risk for babies.
In a newborn child, 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. Also, infection can occur during childbirth. Although rare, it has dire consequences.
Through Kiss and Blood
How is human papillomavirus infection transmitted:
- through saliva;
- through a kiss;
- through blood.
The question immediately arises, if HPV is transmitted through kissing, can you kiss a person who is infected? 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 acceptable. However, this 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 human papillomavirus infection through blood has not been scientifically proven. There have been cases when infection occurred during transfusion.However, this is not evidence that the pathogen can be transmitted in this way.Perhaps the infection in these cases was made through poorly sterilized instruments.
Household path
In 85-90% of cases, it is possible to become infected through the household when one of the family members is infected.
Pathogenic microorganisms at home are very 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, infection can occur through the use of shared bedding, towels, washcloths, soap, cosmetics and hugging;
- through saliva, you can get infected by using one 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, epilation.
Also, infection in public places is a common way of transmission of the pathogen. For example, in the pool, steam bath, 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 change of sexual partners;
- protect themselves during intimacy;
- not to use other people's things;
- do not wear other people's clothes;
- avoid visiting public baths, saunas, swimming pools (or at least carry a personal towel, changeable shoes);
- do not drink beverages or eat food from infected people;
- carefully approach the choice of cosmetology, clinic, hairdresser (you need to be sure that all sterilization rules are followed in the institution);
- Do not come into close contact with carriers of the virus.
If you do develop papillomas, see your doctor. He will carry out the necessary diagnostics, determine the strain of the pathogen and, if necessary, prescribe an effective treatment.
Does a condom protect
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. Of course, thepathogen will not be able to break through the condom, but infection can occur in a different way.
Infection can occur with foreplay. Through microcracks in the skin or in the mouth. In this case, a barrier contraceptive will not save.
Treatment methods
If you are a carrier of HPV, the infection may be dormant in your body and not cause any problems.To prevent growths on the body, you need to monitor the state of your immune system.The stronger it is, the less the risk of neoplasm formation.
If growths occur, the doctor may advise you not to take any action (provided that papillomas do not cause discomfort and do not have an 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 papilloma degeneration into an oncological disease, surgical intervention is prescribed (if there are no contraindications for this).