The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the general name of a virus group that causes various diseases.More than 100 types are known.The pathogen is common worldwide.To avoid infection, it is important to know how human papillomavirus is transmitted.
What is HPV infection?
HPV infection is a group of viral diseases caused by the papilloma virus.At the moment, it is studied and described above 100 types of viruses.Scientists have been studying pathogen morphology for a long time, which made it possible to determine which types of viruses which pathologies cause.Separately, a high -risk HPV group was allocated.
Due to the fact that HPV is mainly impressed with the sexual system, gynecologists pay considerable attention to the study of the problem.Speaking about what HPV is in gynecology, it is necessary to observe a high risk of developing cervical oncology.Experts have found that this virus, more precisely, the 16 and 18 types cause the development of the cancer process in the female reproductive system.
HPV - Transmission and infection paths
The papilloma virus is known for its resistance to environmental factors;Therefore, for a long time, it can keep the activity in the external environment.This explains the pathogen's ability to spread.However, HPV Airborne transmission is not transmitted directly.Speaking of how papilloma virus is transmitted from person to person, doctors indicate the mandatory presence of direct contact with the skin and mucous membranes of the virus carrier.
HPV transmission paths are diverse:
- sexual;
- Contact-Household;
- vertical.
The most common way to transmit HPV
After listening to this type of pathogen, patients are usually interested in the doctor: if human papillomavirus is sexually transmitted.Doctors observe that this method is the most common.According to statistics, about 70% of people who lead an active sex life are carriers of the Papilloma virus.In this case, the infection can occur repeatedly throughout life.
Most women and men are infected with HPV several months after the onset of active sexual activity.It is noteworthy that HPV is often attributed to sexually transmitted infections, but infection is possible with sex without penetration.Contact with virus carrier genitals can lead to infection.
Doctors also call the following ways of HPV infection:
- With a kiss;
- With oral sex.
HPV - Methods of infection in everyday life
Some infectious disease experts distinguish the domestic path from HPV transmission.The percentage of virus propagation in this way is small, but this possibility cannot be completely excluded.The virus can keep the activity for a while, entering the pool, a bathroom, so that the infection is possible in common areas.
Infection in everyday life occurs with kisses, the use of personal HPV hygiene products.In these cases, the risk of infection increases:
- weakening of immunity;
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
The risk of HPV infection
The probability of HPV infection increases sharply with the onset of sexual activity.This path of transmission is considered the main one.At the same time, experts distinguish several factors, whose presence several times increases the risk of infection:
- Initial beginning of sexual activity;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- negligence of contraceptive means.
Separately, it is necessary to say about the possibility of infection in childhood.In most cases, HPV is transmitted to the mother of the mother during delivery.When promoted along the birth canal, a baby infection occurs.Children tolerate the easiest infection, hardly manifests it.Also, thanks to the receipt of ready antibodies -a spontaneous healing is observed along with the mother's milk.
How is HPV infection?
HPV infection occurs with direct contact of mucous membranes, the skin of the genital organs.During intercourse, microcrack and damage to mucous membranes usually occur, which only increases the risk of HPV infection.At the same time, there are some differences in the mechanisms of virus transmission in women and men.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted in men?
The probability of HPV infection in men depends directly on the number of permanent sexual partners.Frequent random sexual intercourse increases the likelihood of infection several times.At the same time, man himself in most cases does not suspect the presence of HPV virus in the body.As a result, the virus spreads even more.In 90% of cases of sex, there is an infection of a partner, which used to be absolutely healthy.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted to women?
HPV infection forms in women do not differ from those that are characteristic of men.First, it's sexual.However, some factors increase the risk of infection in women.
Among them, gynecologists identify:
- Initial beginning of sexual activity;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- abortion;
- traumatic birth history;
- gynecological diseases;
- stress;
- Long -term reception of oral contraceptives.
Is human papillomavirus transmitted to the child?
Knowing the presence of HPV in the body, women who plan pregnancy in the near future are wondering if the mother's human papillomavirus is transmitted to the baby.Experts say there is a risk of child infection.However, in children, HPV is rarely observed, the infection methods differ from those in adults.Infection transmission is more often in the fetal advance phase along the birth canal: the mother's mucous membrane virus passes to the baby.
It is worth noting that the danger of such an infection is small.In most cases, the baby's body can get rid of HPV for the first 2-3 months of life.This happens thanks to the ingestion of antibodies in the children's body along with breast milk.The main danger of HPV for babies is to damage the respiratory tract - the occurrence of polyps.Such cases are rare and are considered more exceptions.
HPV - How much does it appear after the infection?
Having learned about how human papillomavirus is transmitted, many patients are interested in the terms of manifestation of the first symptoms.Doctors cannot unequivocally say how quickly he manifests himself after HPV infection.
The following factors are determined:
- patient's age;
- the presence of chronic inflammatory processes in the body;
- The state of the immune system.
In practice, the terms of HPV's clinical manifestation are different.The appearance of a condom, changes in affected cells can be observed after several weeks and after months.In some cases, the first skin lesions in the groin and the genitals are found a year after the papilloma virus enters the body.It is possible to determine the exact HPV time in the body based on laboratory tests.
Signs of HPV infection
Symptoms of HPV infection are manifested by the lesion of the genitals.In most cases, the virus leads to characteristic skin lesions.Patients record the appearance of vulgar papillomas and pointed warts.Externally, these consequences resemble the kale, so it is difficult to confuse them with other skin manifestations.
In women, pale pale pink growths are located:
- in the small lips;
- in the groin;
- in the clitoris;
- near the outer orifice of the urethra;
- On the eve of the vagina.
In some cases, the conditioning are formed in the anus if a woman has anal sex.A strong growth in such formations leads to the appearance of bloody discharge, sensations of pain during intercourse.In men, these formations are located in the area of the pubis, perineum, with less frequency on the surface of the penis.
HPV vaccines after infection
Even those who know how human papillomavirus is transmitted, are not always able to avoid infection.After treatment, to eliminate HPV re -infection, to prevent the development of relapses, doctors are vaccinated against the papilloma virus.Vaccines prevent the development of viral infection for 15 years or more.