The most common mechanisms of HPV infection: how does the human papillomavirus spread?

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

The path of infection is determined by a number of ways in which events can occur: sexual contact, blood, or household appliances (the latent form of the disease - "warts").

Methods of infection

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

By penetrating the skin, mucous membranes and circulatory system, HPV has an extremely negative effect on the patient’s health.

Usually, a person experiences:

1. Permanent weakness.
2. Nausea, feeling of difficulty in the hypochondria.
3. Pain syndrome.
4. Problems with the urinary and reproductive system (difficulty urinating, appearance of sharp paroxysmal pain in the perineum).
5. Burning sensation in the groin.
6. Dizziness in the background of frequent increases in body temperature.
7. General decrease in the body's defense functions (frequent colds, long recovery period after illness).
8. Itchy skin accompanied by the appearance of papilloma.

The preconditions for the occurrence of the virus should be taken into account in order to detect the presence of a viral infection and to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Prerequisites for infection

The most common prerequisites for HPV are:

1. Weakened immunity.
2. The presence of other chronic diseases that undermine the body's resistance to all kinds of external attacks.
3. We talk about hepatitis, human immunodeficiency (HIV), cardiovascular diseases, genetic anomalies, rare hereditary forms of the disease.
4. Promiscual sexual relations.
5. Unprotected sexual contact.
6. Infection of a loved one in everyday life: washing dishes, using bedding, towels, kissing, hugging.
7. Use of public places of culture and recreation.
8. Visiting beauty salons.
9. Sharing personal items: combs, manicure accessories.

Important!

Timely vaccination protects against the most aggressive types of the virus.

Transmission routes

Papillomavirus is spread by physical contact, transplacentally (transplanted from infected surfaces), via cerebrospinal fluid (blood, saliva, sweat).

Therefore, if there is a patient in the family, all surfaces should be treated with a special disinfectant at all times, the rules for personal contact should be strictly adhered to and the condition of the skin should be monitored (even microcracks can become the initial area of skin). damage).

Can HPV be transmitted through household contact?

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

Distribution mechanism:

1. Kiss, hug. With saliva and sweat, PVI spreads from one person to another. This is due to the fact that the virus moves freely on the mucosa, is present in saliva and cerebrospinal fluid.
2. When using personal hygiene items belonging to the patient.
3. When shaking hands. Skin microtraumas can be excellent carriers of infection.
4. When using common utensils.
5. When we transfer things from an infected person to a healthy person (this type of infection is very resistant to environmental factors).

Can HPV be transmitted sexually?

As mucous membranes, skin and their derivatives (secretions, blood vessels, saliva) are carriers of genetic material, they can also be infected with the human papillomavirus through sexual contact; and when using public baths and saunas.

Transmission mechanism:

1. During direct 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 sites serve as a breeding ground for all kinds of infections.
3. When using underwear and partner clothing (especially for women who like to wear men’s shirts, T-shirts, shorts, family shorts).

Does the virus spread from mother to child?

The transmission of the infection from mother to child is called the "vertical transplant pathway". This type of papillomavirus transmission is one of the most dangerous because it damages a child’s body and mind.

After the onset of HPV, especially in the early stages (1 trimeter), doctors insist on abortion for medical reasons.

Auto-infection

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

With this form of papillomavirus transmission, the patient does not feel uncomfortable for a long time and lives a normal life. And when the first symptoms of the disease appear (which are very similar to banal overtime), ignore them without consulting a doctor.

Which HPV types are the most dangerous?

The most dangerous types of human papilloma virus (HPV) are types 16 and 18. They have strains that trigger the appearance of malignancies - cancerous tumors that can produce metastases as they grow.

The most common manifestations of exposure to the virus strain are diseases such as: cervical cancer, infertility, lung and bronchial lesions, acute immunoglobulin deficiency.

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

Diagnostics

Many of the most sophisticated hardware techniques help detect the presence of the human papilloma virus (HPV) in the body.

• Colposcopy. A colposcope is a medical device that allows the accurate determination of changes in the mucosa of the urogenital system: to detect the spread of inflammation, damage, viruses, fungal bacteria. Its use to determine the presence of HPV in the body is used to definitively confirm the diagnosis. This device is able to: find the source of the inflammation at 30x magnification, determine its nature, scrape directly on the affected area.
• PCR assay. This laboratory method is the differential diagnosis of these types of diseases. PCR makes it difficult to determine the type of virus but also the route of infection. Biomaterial sampling is required for this analysis: blood, urine, semen.
• Digene test. A modern diagnostic technique based on the separation of a small part of the affected skin for study. With this approach, specialists can tell 100% exactly what type of virus is present in the body, what its concentration is, and whether it is in a reactive form that is sensitive to antiviral drugs.
• Cytology. This is a cellular study of the problem. To do this, the top layer of the papilloma is removed and a separate section of the mucosa is taken. Laboratories use a heavy-duty microscope and a set of basic reagents to study the behavior of the virus, its effect on the body (making a prediction), and the extent of damage to the body's internal systems.
• Histological diagnosis. The purpose of this technique is to study the morphological changes in tissues. The test material is taken by biopsy.

Treatment

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

Access to healthy people's personal belongings, hygiene products, dishes and bedding should also be restricted. When viral malignancies appear, corrective treatment or surgery is given with a long rehabilitation period.

Ways to prevent the disease

The main ways to prevent HPV are:

• Adherence to health and household living space regulations.
• Use of contraceptives.
• Check your own health from specialists.
• Strictly intended use of personal care products without transfer to a third party.
• Travel to high-risk areas: spas, saunas, swimming pools, water parks, massage and beauty salons is prohibited.
• Protects the skin from interactions with a number of external factors.
• Protecting our own health by isolating those who suffer from any infectious or viral disease or skin condition.

It is simply impossible to cope with a complex viral infection on its own. A timely medical check-up and the provision of qualified assistance to a wide range of specialists will be the first and most serious step in dealing with the problem at hand.

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