Everyone should know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted. Is this the only way to protect yourself from dangerous diseases? Often papillomas are not given special attention. Many people believe that if a growth occurs in the body, it will disappear by itself. This mistake follows humanity, and the result can be undesirable.
Papilloma tissue tends to grow, which causes the papillomavirus to spread throughout the body. Sometimes individual strains can form a cancerous tumor.
What is human papillomavirus
This virus is a chronic infectious manifestation of various diseases that can occur in people of any age. In medical practice, this virus is of two types, one of which does not carry the risk of dangerous diseases and is a high-risk virus.
Less dangerous viruses include subtypes 6 and 11 papillomas and warts, and 16 and 18 dangerous viruses. It is the last species to cause cell mutations and cancer.
Papilloma virus multiplies on the skin and mucous membranes. As a result, the following growths appear on the skin:
- warts;
- condylomata;
- papillomas in the mouth and throat;
- papillomas in the internal organs.
There are many cases where papillomas are the cause of cervical cancer in women and cancer of the male genitalia. To prevent such consequences, it is necessary to know the ways of transmission of the disease.
How the virus enters the human body
The infection spreads from a person's mucous membranes or skin. In the absence of acute disease, the papilloma does not appear in any way and no growth occurs on the surface of the skin.
If different colored growths appear on the skin, it indicates a precancerous condition in which the human skin and the whole body is infected with a malignant disease or the immunity is significantly reduced.
The "favorite" places for bacteria to enter are cuts, scraps, and skin lesions where the virus can penetrate.
The probability of infection increases if:
- There are other reasons why a person has a cold or a very low level of immunity.
- Dysbacteriosis of the intestines or female genitals is observed. In this case, the death of beneficial microflora occurs, and in its place comes harmful microorganisms, human papillomavirus infection.
- Presence of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Recurrence of chronic diseases.
- Stress, depression, which reduces a person's protection against viruses.
People who suffer from nicotine addiction and women who take birth control pills often get sick.
Ways of virus spread
If a person has no symptoms, it does not mean that he does not have papillomavirus. The initial stage, when there is no growth yet, can be diagnosed using the latest equipment. In medicine, there are several ways in which dangerous microorganisms can pass.
Both men and women can be infected with a dangerous virus. The following transmission methods differ:
Sexually
This is the most common method for infections. Only one sexual contact and the papillomavirus can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person. It does not matter if the contact is oral, vaginal or anal. The risk is still there.
Many people are concerned that the human papillomavirus does not spread from woman to man. The disease is most often diagnosed in men, but many women can be carriers of the disease. In this case, the oral mucosa where the genitals or genital warts appear is the site of bacteria. In this case, there is a 100% risk of infection.
Papillomas form in the anus during anal sex. Especially if you have a loss or injury. If your partner has genital warts, using a condom may not provide complete protection.
The causes of the disease are:
- early onset of sexual activity;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- Condyloma or warts on the sexual partner.
Oral sex is the most common method of infection for 16 and 18 types of papillomas. In this case, the virus enters the human body through various wounds or other damage to the oral mucosa. Proliferation in the mouth, in the absence of specialized treatment, the likelihood of developing throat cancer is high. You should use a condom to prevent such consequences.
If the localization of the virus is on human skin, condoms will not help. Papilloma is transmitted by direct contact with human skin, where condyloma and warts are located.
By households
In this case, the infection occurs in the following ways:
- Use the same towel, soap and other personal hygiene products with a person with warts. If there are injuries and abrasions in the body, pathology occurs.
- The use of a single toothbrush or bowl can cause the patient to become infected through saliva.
- An infected person's clothing can also become a breeding ground for the virus and can be transmitted to a healthy person.
- Self-infection during shaving, epilation and other methods. The disease develops if a wart is previously damaged by a razor or other object that poses no danger. In case of damage, this growth leads to the development of neoplasms that can pose a significant threat to human health.
Infection in public places through contact with infected people
In medical practice, there have been cases of blood-borne virus transmission, genital warts, involuntary spread of the infection center by doctors and poor sterilization of manicure tools in salons.
Transmission of the virus from mother to child
Human papilloma is not an inherited disease, but there is a risk of transmission from mother to child. When carrying a child, the risk of spreading the virus is minimal, but if the placenta is damaged or other changes occur, the papilloma can spread to the unborn baby.
The virus will enter the placenta because the fetus has not yet formed the bronchi and alveoli. In this condition, the child develops respiratory papillomatosis. If the baby is breathing after birth, an examination is performed, after which medication or surgery may be prescribed. The latter option is used more often because it is more likely to be cured.
Therefore, when planning a pregnancy, it is necessary to pass all the necessary tests to rule out the risk of developing papilloma.
Babies are more likely to be infected when they pass through the birth canal. The result is the appearance in the child of the genitals in the mouth and throat, which leads to various disorders of the respiratory system and reduced immunity.
If a woman's genital papilloma is found before delivery, the birth is performed artificially to reduce the risk of infection.
Another way to infect a baby at birth is through breastfeeding. In this case, the child develops respiratory papillomatosis, which is immediately treated.
Characteristics of the virus in men and women
In women, the virus is transmitted through the cervix, rectum or mouth. If there is a frequent change of sexual partners, the risk of infection increases to a maximum. The consequences of the disease can be infertility, cancer and many other diseases.
In men, the papilloma virus most often manifests itself in the scrotum, anus or mouth of the head of the genital organ. In men, the disease can persist without symptoms, and the development of papillomavirus can occur only after severe stress or decreased immunity.
The most dangerous moment of HPV in men is the development of cancer of the male genitals or anus.
In order to prevent the virus from entering the human body, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene, lead a healthy lifestyle and be faithful to one sexual partner.