The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the general name of a group of viruses that provoke various diseases.More than 100 types are known.Pathogen is common all over the world.To avoid infection, it is important to know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted.
What is HPV infection?
HPV infection is a group of viral diseases provoked by papilloma virus.At the moment, it is studied and described above 100 types of virus.Scientists have been studying the morphology of pathogen for a long time, which made it possible to determine what types of viruses what pathologies provoke.Separately, a group of HPV with a high risk of onco was allocated.
Due to the fact that HPV is primarily impressed by the sexual system, gynecologists pay considerable attention to the study of the problem.Talking about what HPV is in gynecology, it is necessary to note a high risk of developing the cervix oncology.Experts found that this virus, more precisely, the 16th and 18th types provoke the development of the oncological process in the female reproductive system.
HPV - transmission and infection paths
The papilloma virus is known for its resistance to environmental factors, so for a long time it can maintain activity in the external environment.This explains the ability of pathogen to widespread.However, the transmission of HPV airborne is not directly transmitted.Talking about how the 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 hearing about this type of pathogen, patients are often interested in the doctor: whether the human papillomavirus is transmitted sexually.Doctors note that this method is the most common.According to statistics, about 70% of people leading an active sex life are carriers of the papilloma virus.In this case, infection can occur repeatedly throughout life.
Most women and men are infected by HPV already several months after the beginning of active sexual activity.It is worth noting that often HPV is attributed to sexually transmitted infections, but infection is possible with sex without penetration.Contact with the genitals of the virus carrier can lead to infection.
Doctors also call the following ways of infection with HPV:
- with a kiss;
- With oral sex.
HPV - methods of infection in everyday life
Some infectious disease specialists distinguish the domestic path of HPV transmission.The percentage of the spread of the virus in this way is small, but this possibility cannot be completely excluded.The virus can maintain activity for some time, getting into the pool, a bathhouse, so infection is possible in common areas.
Infection in everyday life occurs with kisses, the use of personal hygiene products of the affected HPV.In such cases, the risk of infection increases:
- weakening of immunity;
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
The risk of infection with HPV
The probability of infection of HPV increases sharply with the beginning of sexual activity.This transmission path is considered as the main one.At the same time, experts distinguish a number of factors, the presence of which several times increases the risk of infection:
- Early beginning of sexual activity;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- neglect of contraceptive means.
Separately, it is necessary to say about the possibility of infection in childhood.In most cases, HPV is transmitted to the child from the mother during childbirth.When promoted along the birth canal, an infection of the baby occurs.Children tolerate infection easier, it practically does not manifest it.In addition, thanks to the receipt of ready -made antibodies, a spontaneous cure is observed along with mother's milk.
How is HPV infection?
Infection of HPV occurs with direct contact of the mucous membranes, skin of genitals.During intercourse, microcracks and damage to the mucous membranes often occur, which only increases the risk of HPV infection.At the same time, there are some differences in the mechanisms of the transmission of the virus in women and men.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted in men?
The probability of HPV infection in men directly depends on the number of permanent sexual partners.Frequent random sexual intercourse increases the likelihood of infection several times.At the same time, the man himself in most cases does not suspect the presence of HPV virus in the body.As a result, the virus is spread further.In 90% of cases of sexual relations, an infection of a partner occurs, who used to be absolutely healthy.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted to the woman?
Ways of HPV infection in women do not differ from those that are characteristic of men.In the first place is sexual.However, some factors increase the risk of infection in women.
Among these, gynecologists identify:
- Early beginning of sexual activity;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- abortion;
- history of traumatic birth;
- 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 planning pregnancy in the near future are wondering whether the human papillomavirus from the mother is transmitted to the baby.Experts say that the risk of infection of the child exists.However, in children, HPV is rarely observed, the methods of infection differ from those in adults.The transmission of infection is more often at the stage of the fetal advancement along the birth canal: the virus from the mucous membrane of the mother passes to the baby.
It is worth noting that the danger of such an infection is small.In most cases, the baby’s body manages to get rid of HPV during the first 2-3 months of life.This happens thanks to the intake of antibodies to the infant organism 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 as exceptions.
HPV - how much does it appear after infection?
Having learned about how the human papillomavirus is transmitted, many patients are interested in the terms of manifestation of the first symptoms.Doctors cannot unequivocally say how quickly it manifests itself after infection of HPV.
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 the clinical manifestation of HPV are different.The appearance of a condy, changes in the affected cells can be observed both after several weeks and after months.In some cases, the first lesions on the skin in the groin and genitals are found a year after the papilloma virus enters the body.It is possible to determine the exact time of HPV in the body on the basis of laboratory tests.
Signs of infection with HPV
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.Outwardly, these outgrowths resemble cauliflower, so it is difficult to confuse them with other skin manifestations.
In women, pale pink pale pink growths are localized:
- in the small labia;
- in the groin;
- on the clitoris;
- near the outer hole of the urethra;
- On the eve of the vagina.
In some cases, condylomas are formed in the anus if a woman practice anal sex.A strong growth of such formations leads to the appearance of bloody discharge, pain sensations during intercourse.In men, such formations are localized in the area of pubis, perineum, less often on the surface of the penis.
HPV vaccinations after infection
Even those who know how the human papillomavirus is transmitted, they are not always able to avoid infection.After the treatment, in order to eliminate the re -infection of HPV, to prevent the development of relapse, doctors are vaccinated against the papilloma virus.Vaccinations prevent the development of viral infection for 15 years or more.