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

Papillomavirus infection (PVI): belongs to the group of anthroponotic pathogens (transmitted exclusively from person to person).

The path of infection is determined by various options for the development of events: through sexual contact, through blood, by household means (with a latent form of the disease - "warty").

Infection methods

As mentioned above, there are only three main ways of infection: through sexual contact, through blood, by household means.

Penetrating through the protective barrier of the skin, mucous membranes and the circulatory system, HPV has an extremely negative impact on the patient's health.

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 against the background of a frequent increase in body temperature.
7. A general decrease in the protective functions of the body (frequent colds, a long recovery period after an illness).
8. Itching on the skin, which is accompanied by the appearance of papilloma.

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

Prerequisites for infection

The most common prerequisites for the appearance of HPV include:

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

Important!

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

transmission routes

Papillomavirus is transmitted by body contact, transplacental (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, follow strict rules regarding personal contacts and monitor the condition of the skin (even microcracks can become the area initial damage).

Can you get HPV through household contact?

Papillomavirus infection is perfectly transmitted through ordinary objects, as well as with saliva. This should not be forgotten if there is a sick person in the house.

Distribution Mechanism:

1. Kisses hugs. With saliva and sweat, PVI passes from one person to another. This is possible due to the fact that the virus moves freely through the mucous membranes, is present in saliva and cerebrospinal fluid.
2. When using personal hygiene items belonging to the patient.
3. By shaking hands. Microtraumatisms of the skin can be excellent conductors of infection.
4. When shared utensils are used.
5. By transferring things, objects 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 the mucous membranes, the 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, saunas.

Transmission Mechanism:

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

Is the virus transmitted from mother to child?

The transmission of infection from mother to child is called the "vertical transplant route". This type of transmission of the papillomavirus is one of the most dangerous, since it harms the body and intellect of the child.

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

Autoinfection

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

With this way of transmission of the papillomavirus, 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.

What 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 the appearance of malignant neoplasms, cancerous tumors that, when growing, can metastasize.

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

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

Diagnosis

To detect the presence of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the body, several of the most complex hardware techniques help.

• Colposcopy. A colposcope is a medical device that allows you to accurately determine changes in the mucous membranes of the genitourinary system: to detect inflammation, damage and the spread of viruses, fungal bacteria. Its use to determine the presence of HPV in the body serves to finally confirm the diagnosis. This device is capable of: at a magnification of 30 times, find the source of inflammation, determine its nature, take a scraping directly on the affected area.
• CRP exam. 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, sampling of biomaterials is required: blood, urine, sperm.
• Diggin test. Modern diagnostic technique based on the separation of a small area of the affected skin for its study. Using this approach, medical specialists can say exactly 100% what kind of virus is present in the body, what is its concentration, whether it is in a reactive form, to which antiviral drugs there is sensitivity.
• Cytology. It is a study of the problem at the cellular level. For this, the upper layer of the papilloma is removed, a separate section of the mucous membrane is taken. With the help of a sturdy microscope and a basic set of reagents, laboratory assistants study the behavior of the virus, its effect on the body (they make a prognosis), the degree of damage to the internal systems of the body.
• Histological diagnosis. The purpose of this technique is to study morphological changes in tissues. The material for the study is taken by biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of human papillomavirus involves strict observance of sexual abstinence, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunomodulatory drugs, vitamin complexes and drugs to reduce the effect of the virus on the body.

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

Ways to prevent the disease.

The main ways to prevent HPV are:

• Compliance with the standards of sanitary and domestic provision of living space.
• The use of contraceptives.
• Control over the state of one's own health by specialized specialists.
• The use of personal hygiene products strictly for the purpose for which they are intended, without transferring them to third parties.
• Do not travel to places with a higher risk of infection: baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks, massages and beauty salons.
• Protection of the skin from interaction with a large number of external factors.
• Protect one's health by isolating oneself from those who are sick with infectious and viral diseases, skin diseases.

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

If such a problem occurs, one of the family members should immediately undergo a routine diagnosis and follow all the doctor's instructions to prevent the spread of the virus. Also, we must not forget about precautions that will help prevent infection.