Most people do not see the potential danger in the appearance of small epithelial tumors on the body, but papilloma is not just a cosmetic defect. In some cases, they can lead to irreversible consequences. The tumor appears as a result of HPV infection - a highly contagious virus that has more than 100 genotypes, some of which can trigger the development of oncological processes. It is easy to get infected with papillomavirus, so to avoid infection, you should know how human papillomavirus is transmitted and what factors contribute to the spread of virions.
All routes of HPV infection
There is a tendency that in families where there is one virus carrier, in 50-70% of cases the people around him are infected. The main danger is that the infection, having entered the body, does not immediately manifest itself, so a person may not know about the infection for a long time and continue to be in close contact with relatives.
Important!
The absence of external manifestations of HPV does not guarantee that the infected person is completely safe for his close circle.
Infection through household contact
Viral carriers can transmit pathogenic virions (virus particles) to healthy people through:
- Normal physical contact, for example, hugs, handshakes. The possibility of getting infected with HPV increases if there are skin lesions (even a small cut, abrasion or scratch is enough for the infection to penetrate a healthy body);
- Using the personal belongings of the sick. Virus particles can live for a long time on bedding, towels, underwear, wipes and other daily use products;
- While kissing. HPV DNA is not only found on the epithelium, it is present in all biological fluids of an infected person, and therefore can be transmitted through saliva during a kiss.
In addition, you can be infected with HPV when visiting public places such as saunas, swimming pools, fitness centers, where there are many people, most of whom ignore the basic rules of protection. Therefore, you need to use personal hygiene and household products exclusively.
Sexual transmission of the virus
The most common route of human papillomavirus infection is through sexual contact. If one partner, whether male or female, is a carrier of the virus, then it is enough to have sexual intercourse once to become infected with HPV (infection occurs in 95% of cases).
The virus is spread through any type of sexual interaction, whether oral, vaginal or anal sex, while the presence of condyloma in the partner's anogenital area increases the risk of infection up to 100%.
It is interesting that even condoms cannot fully protect against possible infections:
- First, papillomatous rash can be localized not only on the genitals, but also in the groin and anus. Therefore, when coming into contact with an unprotected area of the body, the virus can be easily transmitted from one partner to another;
- Second, the latex from which condoms are made has relatively large pores. Virus particles penetrate them without hindrance.
Infection with oncogenically dangerous types of papillomavirus occurs mainly during sexual intercourse. If the carcinogenic type of HPV is transmitted to women, they will develop neoplasia, which can develop into cervical cancer.
Despite the fact that oncological pathology of the genital organs is less common in men, the presence of genital papilloma increases the risk of malignancy. If a carcinogenic viral infection occurs during oral sex, the chances of getting tonsil cancer increase.
Vertical transmission (from mother to child)
Children can be infected with papillomavirus in the womb or immediately at birth (while passing through the natural birth canal). Moreover, if the mother's HPV develops (in the active phase), then the risk of infection of the baby increases.
Intrauterine infection is very rare, because the placenta is able to protect the embryo from many pathogenic factors, including viral infections. Cases of HPV infection to babies while passing through the birth canal of an infected mother are recorded quite often.
At the time of birth, the mucous membrane of the child's larynx and trachea is affected, which in turn leads to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). This is a dangerous pathology that poses a threat to the life of the baby. Within 1-2 years, children with RRP develop benign neoplasms of the trachea and larynx, which obstruct the airway and cause suffocation.
In such cases, only the surgical removal of the papillomatous growth will help, however, even after destruction, the tumor usually reappears. Parents whose children suffer from RRP should carefully monitor the state of their immune system, as reduced immunity increases the risk of relapse.
Some women who are ready to become mothers worry that papillomavirus can be inherited by the child, but this is not the case. The route of infection is described above; hereditary factors are completely excluded - HPV is a virus that is not genetically transmitted.
Autoinoculation method of infection
Self-infection (autoinoculation) is a relatively common type of infection. Infected people should understand that any trauma to the tumor can trigger the formation of additional growths.
Papillomas found on the face, neck, armpit or groin are often cut with a razor, scratched, or torn during hygiene procedures. When the integrity of the growth is disturbed, blood leaks out of it and flows to neighboring healthy areas of the body. Since virus particles are present in all biological fluids of the patient, the blood entering the clean epithelium causes the spread of infection and the formation of multiple papillomatous rashes.
In addition, when scratching the growth with a nail, pathogenic epithelial particles remain under the plate, which also often contributes to self-infection. For example, after a person has scratched a papilloma with his fingernail and he suddenly decides to scratch his ear or nose, then if there is even the slightest damage to the epithelium, the virus will definitely "settle" in it, and then manifest itself. as characteristic growth.
After introduction into the body, HPV activation is not observed immediately; viruses require certain conditions to function fully.
When and what triggers HPV activation
How quickly and actively the papillomavirus begins to act after infection is determined by the immune status of the infected person. HPV is part of the group of immune-dependent viruses, so during a decrease in immune defense, its activation occurs.
The body of a healthy person, even after infection, is able to produce a sufficient amount of antibodies to completely resist the virus attack. In such people, the disease continues latently (in inactive mode), so there are no epithelial tumors on the body.
When the immune system is weak, it produces a much smaller amount of antibodies that cannot suppress the virus independently, and then HPV becomes active with the formation of papillomatous rashes. The following unfavorable factors can trigger the transition of papillomavirus to the active phase:
- any pathology that has recently experienced an infectious nature;
- long-term use of oral contraceptives;
- uncontrolled use of cytostatic drugs (suppressing the immune system);
- dysfunction in the endocrine system;
- pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, especially intestinal dysbiosis;
- psycho-emotional disorders associated with frequent stress, nervousness, fatigue;
- helminth infestation;
- frequent inflammatory skin diseases;
- the presence of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs).
Important!
Any factor that reduces the effectiveness of the human immune system can cause HPV activation.
The formation of the first growth is a reason to consult a doctor. There is no need to self-medicate, because in some cases insufficient therapy for papillomas leads to the development of cancerous tumors.
Papillomavirus treatment
Since drugs that can cure papillomavirus have not yet been invented, it is impossible to completely remove it from the body for a person after the age of 30. Cases of HPV removal are only recorded in young people under the age of 25.
Treatment of papillomatosis is carried out in three directions:
- suppression of viral activity (returning it to a latent state) by taking antiviral drugs;
- improving the patient's immune status through the use of interferon drugs;
- destruction of pathological neoplasms using minimally invasive hardware techniques;
- cytostatic drugs are prescribed when there is a high probability of papilloma malignancy (they interfere with the process of atypical cell division).
Antiviral drugs prescribed by a doctor can be for oral, topical, injection or rectal use:
- Tablets (oral use);
- Gel, ointment (external use);
- Injection (shot);
- Suppositories (rectal suppositories).
Immunomodulatory drugs can also be prescribed in different forms, often these are tablets and gels for external treatment of tumors.
Cytostatics are prescribed if, after diagnosis, it is determined that the papillomatous rash is provoked by a highly oncogenic type of HPV.
The most frequently used destructive techniques to remove pathological tumors are:
- Electrocoagulation– cauterization of the growth with electric current. The procedure is painful and leaves significant scars;
- Cryotherapy– the papilloma freezes under the influence of liquid nitrogen, leaving no traces behind, but the procedure is recommended to remove small superficial tumors;
- Laser destruction– suitable for removing superficial and deep papillomas, good cosmetic effect makes it possible to use on open parts of the body;
- Radio wave technique– non-contact removal of the growth is carried out, with a short recovery period, no marks or scars after the intervention.
After completing the course of treatment, do not forget about preventive medical examinations. It is necessary to test for HPV regularly (preferably every year), and also carefully monitor the state of the immune system.