How Are HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infections Transmitted?

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infections are most commonly transmitted sexually. There is also a transition from mother to baby during birth, called perinatal transition. Passage through surfaces or common items is a controversial issue. It is most commonly transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse. The virus is passed to another person through sexual contact with an infected person. There is also a risk of transmission through skin contact.

For example, touching the skin of an infected person or sharing shared items can contribute to the spread of infection. The risk of transmitting HPV may be reduced by condom use, but it does not provide complete protection. Usually people infected with HPV infection do not have obvious symptoms, so regular screening tests and preventive vaccinations are important.

Sexual Transmission

I. Ways of Transmission

HPV infection is most often transmitted through sexual contact.
The risk of transmitting the virus increases with vaginal, anal or oral contact during sexual intercourse.
The virus is transmitted to the healthy person through the skin, mucous membranes or lesions of the infected person.

II. Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The number of sexual partners and the history of the partners affect the risk of transmission.
Age of initiation of sexual intercourse and unprotected sexual intercourse increase the risk.
The state of the immune system affects the risk of infection.
Other sexually transmitted infections also increase the risk of HPV transmission.

III. Other Ways of Transmission

HPV can also be transmitted through close skin contact before sexual intercourse.
Although the transmission of the virus is controversial, the virus can be transmitted from common areas (sauna, Turkish bath) or sharing common items.

IV. Prevention Methods

Condom use may reduce the risk of HPV transmission, but it does not provide complete protection.
Since the condom does not completely cover the infected skin areas, it may allow the virus to pass through.
Regular screening tests and HPV vaccines are important in preventing infection.

V. Sexual Health Education and Communication

It is important to know sexual health education and protection methods.
Open communication between sexual partners is essential to reduce the risk of infection.
Individuals should take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection and protect their sexual health.
HPV Transmission During Birth

I. HPV Transmission is Rare During Birth

HPV transmission during birth is generally rare.
Transmission usually occurs from mother to baby through the birth canal.

II. Risk of Transmission Depends on the Mother’s Condition

• The risk of transmission increases in cases where there are active genital warts or abnormal cellular changes.

  III. Cesarean Delivery and Infection Risk

  A mother with active HPV infection has a risk of passing the infection to the baby during birth.
  Caesarean section may be recommended to the patient to reduce contamination during passage through the birth canal.

  IV. The Situation Should Be Evaluated Individually

  When choosing the delivery method for pregnant women with HPV infection, doctors evaluate each situation individually.
  The risk of infection is determined by the mother’s health status, the severity of the infection, and other factors.

  V. Precautions and Precautions

  Pregnant women with HPV infection should be in regular contact with their doctors to reduce the risk of infection.
  If necessary, doctors can often opt for a cesarean delivery.
  In all cases, the choice of delivery method should be made taking into account the risk of infection and the health condition of the mother.
  HPV Transmission through Skin Contact

  I. Risk of Transmission through Skin Contact

  There is a risk of transmission of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infections through skin contact.
  Apart from sexual contact, the virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected skin.
  For example, contact with an infected area or hands touching infected areas increases the risk of transmission.

  II. Sharing Common Items

  The risk of HPV transmission in common areas such as pools, saunas and public toilets is controversial, but there are studies arguing that there is a risk of transmission.
  Using clothes or towels from an infected person can also cause skin transmission of the virus.

  III. Precautions to Reduce Transmission through Skin Contact

  It is important to clean hands regularly and pay attention to hygiene rules.
  Personal use of shared items reduces the risk of infection.
  It is recommended to limit contact with infected areas as much as possible.

  IV. Precautions to Prevent HPV Transmission

  Condom use: Condoms should be used to protect against sexually transmitted infections.
  HPV vaccine: HPV vaccine, which provides effective protection against HPV infections, should be taken.
  HPV Transmission from Common Areas

  I. Risk of Transmission of HPV from Common Use Areas

  Remembering that HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infection is usually transmitted through sexual contact.
  However, it is important to know that there is a rare risk of HPV transmission in common areas.
  Realizing that the virus can be transmitted to touched surfaces or items in common areas such as bathrooms, saunas and Turkish baths.

  II. Cleaning and Hygiene Precautions

• Emphasizing that common areas should be cleaned and disinfected regularly
  Reminding that personal hygiene products and items should be used or cleaned individually
  Stating that the use of shared items should be minimized

  III. Sexual Contact and Condom Use

  It is necessary to emphasize the importance of sexual contact, which is the most common way of transmission of HPV infection.
  It should be kept in mind that using a condom during sexual intercourse may reduce the risk of transmission, but may not provide full protection.

  IV. Awareness, Screening Tests and HPV Vaccines

  Being conscious about sexual health issues and detecting possible lesions early may be important in preventing the spread of infection.
  HPV vaccines are available and it may be useful to get information from your physician about usage protocols depending on your age. Vaccination is an effective step in reducing the risk of infection
  Transmission through Non-Sexual Close Contact

  I. Ways of Transmission through Non-Sexual Close Contact

  Oncologically low-risk types of HPV (HPV 6 and HPV 11) can be transmitted through skin contact or sharing common items.
  Touching the skin of an infected person, kissing, or shaking hands can contribute to the spread of infection.
  Use of shared towels, clothing or other personal items may also increase the risk of transmission.

  II. Risk of Transmission through Non-Sexual Contact

  The risk of transmission through non-sexual contact is generally lower than the risk of transmission through sexual contact.
  However, transmission of the virus may be possible by contact with fragile or irritated areas of the skin and by contact with areas where an infected person has transmitted the virus.

  III. Ways to Prevent HPV Infection

  In cases of non-sexual contact, care should be taken and personal hygiene rules should be followed.
  Sharing of common items should be limited or hygienic measures should be taken.
  Hand cleaning is important and contact surfaces should be cleaned regularly.
  Infected Items and Clothing

  I. Ways of Transmission of HPV

  Sexual contact: The most common way of transmission of HPV infections is sexual contact.
  Infected items and clothing: Rarely, HPV can be transmitted through the infected person’s belongings or clothing.

  II. Risk of Infection from Infected Items and Clothing

  Low risk: The risk of transmitting HPV through infected items or clothing is low.
  Contact requirement: Transmission of HPV usually requires direct skin contact with an infected person.
  Short survival time: HPV virus does not survive in the environment for a long time and can be neutralized with cleaning products.

  III. Methods of Protection from Infected Items and Clothing

  Limit sharing: It is important to limit sharing of infected items and clothing.
  Personal hygiene: Following personal hygiene rules reduces the risk of infection.
  Cleaning habits: It is important to clean items regularly and keep them hygienic.

  IV. Condom Use and Risk of Contamination

  Ineffective prevention: Precautions such as condom use are not effective in reducing the risk of transmission through infected items or clothing.
  Sexual health measures: In addition to sexual health measures, personal hygiene and cleaning habits should also be taken into consideration to protect against HPV infections.

  Source:

  https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus