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

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

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

Methods of infection

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

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

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 sharp paroxysmal pains 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, long recovery period after illness).
8. Itchy skin, which is accompanied by the appearance of a 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 onset of this disease.

Prerequisites for infection

The most common preconditions for the onset 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 immune deficiency (HIV), cardiovascular diseases, genetic anomalies, rare hereditary forms of the disease.
4. Promiscuous sex.
5. Unprotected sexual contact.
6. Infection of a loved one in everyday life: when using dishes, bed linen, towels, with a kiss, hugs.
7. Use of public places of culture and leisure.
8. Visit to beauty salons.
9. Sharing personal items: combs, manicure accessories.

Important!

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

Transmission routes

The papilloma virus is transmitted by bodily 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 for personal contact and monitor the condition of the skin (evenmicrocracks may become the initial area of damage).

Can HPV be contracted through household contact?

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

Distribution mechanism:

1. Kiss, cuddle. With saliva and sweat, PVI passes from person to person. This is possible due to the fact that the virus freely moves through mucous membranes, is present in saliva and cerebrospinal fluid.
2. When using patient-owned personal hygiene items.
3. When shaking hands. Microtraumas of the skin can be excellent conductors of infection.
4. When using shared utensils.
5. When transferring 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 sexually transmitted?

The mucous membranes, the skin and their derivatives (secretions, blood vessels, saliva) being carriers of genetic material, it is possible to be infected by the human papillomavirus by 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 communal showers, baths, saunas. Without proper antiseptic and antibacterial treatment, these places are a breeding ground for all kinds of infections.
3. When using a partner's underwear and clothes (especially for women who like to wear shirts, t-shirts, shorts, men's shorts).

Is the virus transmitted from mother to child?

The transmission of infection from mother to child is called the "vertical route of transplantation". This type of transmission of the papillomavirus is one of the most dangerous, as it injures the child's body and intellect.

After experiencing HPV, especially in the early stages (1 trimeter), doctors insist on aborting for medical reasons.

Autoinfection

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

With this form 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.

Which types of HPV are the most dangerous?

The most dangerous types of human papillomavirus (HPV) include types 16 and 18. They have strains that cause the appearance of malignant neoplasms - cancerous tumors that, growing, can give metastases.

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

To note! Cervical cancer can only occur from the most aggressive form of the virus. Most papillomas are not dangerous.

Diagnostic

To detect the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the body, a number of the most complex hardware techniques are useful.

• 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 is used to ultimately confirm the diagnosis. This device is able to: under 30 times magnification, find the source of inflammation, determine its nature, take a scraping directly from the affected area.
• PCR examination. 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, a sample of biomaterials is necessary: blood, urine, semen.
• Digene's test. A modern diagnostic technique based on the separation of a small area of affected skin for study. Using this approach, medical specialists can tell 100% exactly what kind of virus is present in the body, what is its concentration, whether it is in a reactive form, what antiviral drugs there is sensitivity to.
• 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. Using a sturdy microscope and a set of basic reagents, lab assistants study the behavior of the virus, its effects on the body (making a prediction), the degree of damage to internal body systems.
• Histological diagnosis. The purpose of this technique is to study morphological changes in tissues. The material for the study is taken using a biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment of the human papilloma virus involves strict observance of sexual abstinence, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunomodulating drugs, a complex of vitamins and drugs to reduce the effect of the virus on the body.

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

Ways to prevent the disease

The main ways to prevent HPV are:

• Compliance with the rules of sanitary and domestic provision of the living space.
• The use of contraceptives.
• Control of the state of one's own health by specialized specialists.
• The use of personal hygiene products in strict compliance with their intended purpose, without transferring them to third parties.
• No trips to places with increased risk of infection: baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks, massage and beauty salons.
• Protection of the skin against interaction with a large number of external factors.
• Protecting your own health by isolating yourself from people with infectious and viral diseases, skin diseases.

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

If such a problem arises, 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. Also, we must not forget about the precautions that will help prevent infection.