The most common mechanisms of HPV infection: how is the human papilloma virus transmitted?

Papilloma virus infection (PVI) - belongs to the group of anthroponotic pathogens (transmitted exclusively from person to person).

The route of infection is determined by several options for the development of events: sexual contact, blood, home (with a latent form of the disease - "warts").

how human papilloma virus is transmitted

Methods of infection

As already mentioned, there are only three main ways of infection - sexual contact, blood, home.

By penetrating the protective barrier of the skin, mucous membranes and circulatory system, HPV has an extremely negative impact on the health of patients.

Typically, a person experiences:

  1. Constant weakness.
  2. Feeling of nausea, heaviness in the hypochondrium.
  3. Pain syndrome.
  4. Problems with the urinary and reproductive system (difficulty urinating, the appearance of acute paroxysmal pain in the perineum).
  5. Burning sensation in the groin.
  6. Dizziness on the background of frequent increases in body temperature.
  7. General reduction of the body's protective functions (frequent colds, long recovery period after illness).
  8. Itchy skin, which is accompanied by the appearance of papillomas.

In order to recognize the presence of a viral infection and consult a doctor in time, it is necessary to take into account the preconditions for the development of this disease.

Prerequisites for infection

The most common preconditions for HPV are:

  1. Weakened immunity.
  2. The presence of other chronic diseases that undermine the body's resistance to all kinds of external attacks.
  3. These include hepatitis, human immunodeficiency (HIV), cardiovascular disease, genetic abnormalities, and rare inherited forms of the disease.
  4. Promiscuous sexual relations.
  5. Unprotected sexual contact.
  6. Infection from a loved one in everyday life: when using dishes, bedding, towels, kisses, hugs.
  7. Use of public places of culture and recreation.
  8. Visit to beauty salons.
  9. Sharing personal belongings: combs, manicure accessories.

Bitan!

Timely vaccination will protect against the most aggressive types of viruses.

Transmission routes

The papilloma virus is transmitted by physical contact, transplacentally (transplanted from infected surfaces), with the help of cerebrospinal fluid (blood, saliva, sweat).

Therefore, if there is a sick person in the family, it is necessary to constantly treat all surfaces with a special antiseptic, adhere to strict rules related to personal contacts and monitor the condition of the skin (even microcracks can become the initial area of damage).

Can HPV be contracted through household contact?

Papillomavirus infection is perfectly transmitted through common objects, as well as saliva. This should not be forgotten if there are sick people in the house.

Distribution mechanism:

  1. Kissing, hugging. With saliva and sweat, PVI spreads from one person to another. This is possible due to the fact that the virus moves freely through the mucous membrane, it is present in saliva and cerebrospinal fluid.
  2. When using personal hygiene items that belong to the patient.
  3. When handling. Skin microtraumas can be excellent conductors of infection.
  4. When using shared accessories.
  5. When transferring things, items from an infected person to a healthy person (this type of infection is very resistant to the influence of environmental factors).

Can HPV be transmitted sexually?

Since mucous membranes, skin and their derivatives (secretions, blood vessels, saliva) are carriers of genetic material, it is possible to become infected with the human papilloma virus through sexual contact; as well as when using public baths, sauna.

Transmission mechanism:

  1. Directly during sexual intercourse (this is especially true for oral and anal sex).
  2. When using shared showers, baths, saunas. Without proper antiseptic and antibacterial treatment, such sites are a breeding ground for all kinds of infections.
  3. When using underwear and partner's clothes (especially for women who like to wear men's shirts, T-shirts, shorts, family shorts).

Is the virus transmitted from mother to child?

Transmission of the infection from mother to child is called the "vertical transplant route". This type of transmission of papilloma virus is one of the most dangerous, because it injures the child's organism and intellect.

After undergoing HPV, especially in the early stages (1 trimester), doctors insist on abortion for medical reasons.

Autoinfection

Self-infection is possible only if untreated hygiene products are used. For example: razors, toothbrushes, nail scissors and similar items.

With this form of papilloma virus transmission, the patient does not feel discomfort for a long time and leads a normal life. And when the first symptoms of the disease appear (which are very similar to banal overwork), he ignores them without going to the doctor.

Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?

The most dangerous types of human papilloma virus (HPV) include types 16 and 18. They have strains that cause malignant neoplasms - cancerous tumors that, when they grow, can metastasize.

The most common manifestation of exposure to the virus strain is the appearance of diseases such as: cervical cancer, infertility, pulmonary and bronchial changes, acute immunoglobulin deficiency.

Note! Cervical cancer can occur only because of the most aggressive form of the virus. Most papillomas are not dangerous.

Diagnosis

To detect the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the body, a number of the most complex hardware techniques help.

  • Colposcopy. Colposcope is a medical device that allows you to accurately determine changes in the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system: detect inflammation, damage and spread of viruses, fungal bacteria. Its use to determine the presence of HPV in the body is used to definitively confirm the diagnosis. This device is capable of: finding the source of inflammation under 30 times magnification, determining its nature, taking scrapings directly on the affected area.
  • PCR review. This laboratory method is a differential diagnosis of this type of disease. PCR makes it difficult to determine the type of virus, but also the route of infection. For this analysis, it is necessary to take samples of biomaterials: blood, urine, sperm.
  • Great test. A modern diagnostic technique based on separating a small area of affected skin for study. Using this approach, medical experts can tell 100% exactly what type of virus is present in the body, what is its concentration, whether it is in reactive form, to which antiviral drugs there is sensitivity.
  • Cytology. It is a study of problems at the cellular level. For this, the upper layer of the papilloma is removed, a special part of the mucosa is taken. With the help of a heavy microscope and a basic set of reagents, laboratory assistants study the behavior of the virus, its effect on the organism (prognosis), the degree of damage to the internal systems of the organism.
  • Histological diagnosis. The purpose of this technique is to study morphological changes in tissues. Study material is taken by biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of human papilloma virus involves strict adherence to sexual abstinence, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunomodulatory drugs, vitamin complex and drugs to reduce the effects of the virus on the body.

You should also limit the access of healthy people to personal belongings, hygiene products, dishes and bedding. When malignant neoplasms caused by the virus appear, corrective treatment or surgical intervention with a long period of rehabilitation is performed.

Ways of disease prevention

The main ways to prevent HPV are:

  • Respecting the rules of sanitary and home security of living space.
  • Contraceptive use.
  • Control of one's own health by specialized specialists.
  • Use of personal hygiene products exclusively for their intended purpose, without transfer to third parties.
  • There are no trips to places of increased risk of infection: baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks, massages and beauty salons.
  • Protect the skin from interaction with a large number of external factors.
  • Protecting your own health by isolating yourself from those suffering from any infectious and viral diseases, skin diseases.

It is simply impossible to deal with a complex viral infection on your own. Medical control, a timely appeal for qualified help to a wide group of specialists will be the first and most serious step in solving the existing problem.

If this problem occurs, one of the family members should immediately undergo a routine diagnosis and follow all the doctor's instructions in order to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, one should not forget about precautionary measures that will help prevent infection.