Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): why is it dangerous for health?

Everyone knows that you should not kiss a person who has the flu, acute respiratory infections or ARVI. Yes, it would be unreasonable to kiss someone who sneezes and coughs. However, these are not all the diseases that can be contracted through a kiss.

There are many other infections that enter the body through saliva. The entry gates are microcracks and microdamages in the oral cavity, as a result of which the infection can end up in the bloodstream.

What diseases can you get through a kiss?

Mononucleosis

This disease is also caused by the herpes virus, but not the first type, but the fourth. This virus is also called the Epstein-Barr virus. The virus enters the body through saliva and begins to multiply in the mouth and throat. For this reason, it is very easy to become infected with mononucleosis through a kiss. This disease even has a third name - “kissing disease.” Symptoms of mononucleosis are high fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms do not begin to appear immediately, but after a couple of weeks.

How does cancer occur?

A malignant tumor can develop from just one cell, which has acquired the ability to multiply uncontrollably, but has lost the ability to undergo apoptosis (planned death). Such disturbances in a cell are caused by changes in its genetic material. That is, the reason for the appearance of a tumor is always the same - mutation.

Therefore, the short answer to the question “how can you get cancer” is absolutely not. Oncological diseases do not spread in the same ways as infectious pathologies. Even if you take malignant cells and transplant them into another person, the maximum that threatens him is a temporary focus of inflammation at the site of implantation.

Is it possible to get cancer from a sick person through blood or saliva? Also no. This is confirmed by a statistical study conducted by Swedish doctors in 2007. They analyzed 350 thousand cases of blood transfusion and found that 3% of donors at that time already had an undiagnosed cancer. However, none of those who received this blood transfusion developed cancer that could be linked to the procedure.

One important nuance remains here: among the factors that can provoke cellular mutations, infectious diseases occupy a prominent place. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, 16.1% of all malignant tumors are somehow associated with infection. But pathogenic microorganisms can be quite successfully transmitted from person to person. But here you should remember that receiving an infection from another person does not mean that you will definitely develop cancer.

Cytomegalovirus

This is another member of the herpes virus family. It is very common and in most cases is in an inactive state in the body. Its activation occurs when the immune system is weakened, as well as during stressful situations. The virus is contained in all biological fluids of the infected person, and therefore can easily be transmitted through saliva during a kiss. Cytomegalovirus is especially dangerous for pregnant women, since when infected with it, the child often dies in utero. Surviving children who were infected in utero subsequently develop various abnormalities.

Is HPV transmitted through kissing?

The papilloma virus is extremely rarely transmitted to a healthy person through a kiss. It accounts for on average no more than 10% of all cases of infection. It belongs to the contact-everyday category, but is not very common precisely because of the need for close, intimate communication with the carrier.

The type of kiss is also of great importance, since not all of them involve the impact of the saliva of an infected partner on the mucous membrane of a healthy person. Those who are fans of the “Inato”, “Sink”, “Sari”, “Enjoying the Bud” techniques are least likely to experience this.

The most dangerous is the classic French kiss with the tongue. In this case, he touches the partner's tongue and acts on his lips.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a virus that manifests itself on the skin and mucous membranes as benign neoplasms. New growths are called papillomas and condylomas. HPV is very common and is transmitted in a variety of ways. In particular, infection is possible through a deep kiss, which has been confirmed by a number of studies. There are different types of papillomavirus, but only a few of them pose the greatest threat, as they contribute to the development of malignant tumors, such as cervical cancer. The virus is also dangerous because it can lie dormant in the body for a long time and not manifest itself in any way, that is, the infected person will not even know about it.

Myths about human papillomavirus (HPV)

The most common myths about human papillomavirus.

Myth 1 The HPV virus is common in African countries where the standard of living is low.

Human papillomavirus does not choose a continent or country.
It can infect any sexually active person in any part of the world. Today it is one of the most common pathogens transmitted through sexual contact or skin and mucous membranes. Even four out of five sexually active people become infected with this virus at least once in their lives. Myth 2 Only women are infected with HPV.
Any sexually active person can be infected with the HPV virus, even if they have only one partner.
Men face the same or higher risk of acquiring HPV and can become carriers and spreaders of the virus. During their lifetime, 4 out of 5 sexually active people will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Although the body of most infected people clears the virus on its own, the possibility of reinfection with this or another virus remains for life. If the human body does not remove the virus and it remains in the cells, the risk of developing the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and root of the tongue increases. Long-term low-risk HPV infection causes warts on these organs. Myth 3 Among my friends, I am the only one who has been diagnosed with this virus, so I don't think it is that common.
The vast majority are unaware of the virus.
It is not surprising that they may simply not know about their disease. Research shows that one in four women of reproductive age is infected with HPV, and even four out of five sexually active people will become infected with HPV during their lifetime. This virus can disappear from the body on its own, so a woman is sometimes unaware of a possible HPV infection if she has not been tested at this stage of life, especially since a temporary infection does not cause any symptoms of the disease. Men are generally not tested for HPV infection, although they can carry and spread the virus. Myth 4 HPV is only transmitted through casual sex or multiple sexual encounters.
It is true that the transmission of STIs is higher when there are multiple sexual partners, but the belief that infection only affects those with many casual relationships is inherently false. In fact, HPV also threatens those who are involved with one long-term partner. Even if your sexual partner is your first and only sexual partner, you can still become infected with HPV if he or she had contact with someone infected with HPV in the past and became a carrier. Myth 5
If I was diagnosed with HPV, then my partner was unfaithful to me.
A diagnosis of HPV does not mean your partner is unfaithful.
This myth causes anger, confusion, anxiety and fear. The virus lurks in a latent, asymptomatic state in the patient's body for weeks, months and years. Then they talk about a chronic infection. Obvious symptoms sometimes take time (months, years). If you are confirmed to have the virus with one regular partner, this means that your friend may have had sex with someone who was infected with HPV at some point in their life before you. Myth 6 All types of HPV cause cancer.
Not true.
HPVs are classified into high- and low-risk types (genotypes). Cancer is caused by high-risk HPV genotypes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has confirmed that papillomavirus type 14 has a high risk of developing cancer. The oncogenicity of other viruses is being studied. The highest oncogenic risk is for types 16 and 18 of HPV. Low levels of HPV, for example 6 and 11, do not cause cancer. Myth 7 Genital warts will immediately become cancer.
Warts localized in the genital area are benign in almost all cases.
There’s a reason why these types of HPV are called “low-risk.” Low-risk HPV types may cause temporary changes in cervical cytology; however, these changes are not cancerous. If you find cytological changes, you should make sure that there are no high-risk human papillomaviruses, which are the biggest factor in the development of cervical cancer. Myth 8 If I get HPV, I will feel some signs of infection.
Most people infected with HPV do not feel any symptoms. A temporary infection is unlikely to cause warts or cancer. In nine out of ten people who are infected, the infection clears up within two years. Although they do not feel any symptoms, they can infect their sexual partners. Myth 9 An "abnormal" cytological change in the cervix is ​​cancer.

Cytological changes in the cervix are caused not only by HPV infections.
These cellular changes can occur due to microdamage, bacterial infection, a low-risk HPV type, or even inadequate tissue collection and evaluation studies. For these reasons, repeating the test several months later will usually not detect cytological changes. The doctor will most likely recommend a colposcopy, take a tissue biopsy, may suggest assessing the type of HPV infection for high risk, and only then will be able to say Are these changes truly precancerous and should they be treated at this time, or can they be observed until they may go away on their own? In all cases, women should take responsibility for their own health and be checked at intervals recommended by health care professionals. Myth 10 If I was diagnosed with HPV, the disease will recur again and again.
In some cases, if the HPV infection persists in the body for a long time and the person's immune system is weak, warts or precancerous genital changes may appear several times during a given period of life.
The good news is that most people do not have an infection after two years. The bad news is that one in five sexually active people can become infected with the same HPV virus every year. The human immune system is weakened by chronic diseases, certain medications, injury, stress, anemia, various infections and other factors. We cannot determine how long the HPV infection will remain in the body. Each individual case is individual. Myth 11 For older women, cytological examination of the cervix is ​​not required.
Cancerous changes take time.
This may take a year, ten years or more. If HPV infection occurs in old age, the virus is released from the body more slowly, and the longer it remains in the human body, the higher the risk of precancerous changes and cancer. At older ages, latent infection may reactivate. The decision not to get tested can be fatal: one in four women diagnosed with cervical cancer are 65 years of age or older. More than 40% of deaths from cervical cancer also occur in women of this age. Myth 12 If I cure my warts, I will no longer pose a threat to my partner.
Removing warts does not mean the HPV infection is completely gone. Visible warts are usually treated with medications or surgically removed.
The risk of wart transmission after HPV treatment is likely to be reduced by destroying the cells in which the virus was found. However, the virus can also remain in surrounding cells that do not show any changes visible to the eye, so transmission of infection is possible. Myth 13 I don't have to worry about HPV because my partner doesn't have genital warts.
The absence of warts on the genitals does not necessarily mean that your partner does not have HPV.
Often the HPV virus is physically invisible, so you cannot tell by sight whether your partner has the infection. Myth 14 If a woman is diagnosed with cervical lesions, her partner should be tested for HPV infection.
It is now generally accepted that if female cervical lesions are detected, there is no need to identify sexual transmission of HPV infection. The partner likely had an HPV infection for some time in his life, although no signs of infection were diagnosed or vice versa. Of course, if a woman is diagnosed with genital warts, her partner is also advised to get tested because most people do not even notice very small warts in their genital areas.

Myth 15 I have no risk of contracting HPV because I use condoms.

When using condoms, the likelihood of contracting HPV is reduced, but using a condom can sometimes only help “get rid of existing HPV infections faster.” Proper and timely use of condoms can prevent diseases that are transmitted through body fluids (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc.), in while human papillomavirus, herpes infection is spread by contact of skin and mucous membranes.
The condom does not cover the entire perineal membrane, so the vulva, anal, perianal areas, base of the penis, and scrotum remain open to contact and transmission of HPV. Myth 16 I don’t have sex, so I can’t get HPV.
HPV viruses can be transmitted during any sexual relationship, as well as through direct contact with skin or mucous membranes.
HPV infection can be transmitted to a newborn from the mother. Myth 17 HPV can be cured.
Cancer caused by warts or precancerous lesions can be cured, but there is no vaccine or drug for all types of the virus. Each body has the ability to destroy this virus on its own.
The spontaneous disappearance of the virus depends on the strength of the body's immune system, the aggressiveness and quantity of the virus. It is also true that a person's immune system can suppress the aggressiveness of the virus so that it does not compromise health until it disappears completely. Myth 18 HPV infection can cause infertility.
HPV infection does not affect women's fertility. If a woman is pregnant and infected with HPV, she may develop warts or precancerous lesions, but regular checkups help ensure timely treatment. However, women can pass HPV infection to their newborns during childbirth.

Hepatitis A

This is an infectious disease that affects the liver. Hepatitis A in most cases ends in complete recovery. The disease does not become chronic. But the danger is that the disease is extremely contagious and a sick person can infect a huge number of people without even knowing that he is a carrier of the virus. The infection is most contagious in the last days of the incubation period, while there are no symptoms. In this case, infection can occur not only through a kiss, but even through objects touched by the patient.

How exactly is papilloma transmitted through a kiss?

Answering the question whether papilloma is transmitted through a kiss, it must be said that at this time only the virus that causes its appearance can enter the body. This occurs when infected saliva is released into a person's mouth. When the partners’ lips and tongues come into close contact, it lands on “clean” surfaces, and the virus contained in the biological fluid infects healthy cells.

If there is a papilloma in the oral cavity, then its contact with the mucous membranes of another person contributes to the migration of the virus in the body of an uninfected partner. But this path is only possible with active friction of the growth against healthy surfaces. In the case of friendly kisses, for example, on the cheek, the likelihood of this is almost completely eliminated.

Note! The papilloma virus is transmitted through a kiss, but it does not survive well outside the human body, with the exception of humid conditions. That is why HPV does not spread between kisses, since the airborne route is not typical for it.

• Read more about the contact route of transmission of the human papillomavirus

How is the treatment carried out?

The fight against human papillomavirus infection is carried out exclusively with the participation of a doctor. The use of traditional methods, such as treatment of papillomas with celandine, iodine, treatment of papillomas with oil, treatment with laundry soap, is most often not effective. In addition, such methods of destroying warts can worsen the condition, provoke complications, and injure surrounding healthy skin. It is not recommended to use them at your own risk. You must first consult with a specialist.

Current treatment includes observation, medications, surgical techniques, and prevention of complications. Unfortunately, today there are no specific drugs that destroy HPV.

Treatment is carried out comprehensively in three areas:

• surgical;
• strengthening the immune system;
• use of local and systemic antiviral drugs.

Removal of papillomas is carried out using hardware and surgical methods:

• laser technologies;
• cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen);
• removal with a scalpel;
• radio wave surgery (removal with a radio knife);
• electrocoagulation (cauterization with electric current);
• cauterization with aggressive chemicals (Salicylic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Contaridin, Solcoderm, Podophyllotoxin).

The specific method is selected taking into account the type, location and size of the formation. Removing papillomas does not eliminate the virus 100% and does not guarantee that the lesions will not reappear later.

Of the systemic drugs for papillomavirus infection, immunostimulating, antiviral agents are prescribed: Immunal, Reaferon, Polyoxidonium, Amiksin, Cycloferon, Allokin-Alpha, Groprinosin, Isoprinosine. They are used for various localizations of papillomas and help activate the body's defenses in the fight against infection. Any medications for HPV must be prescribed by a doctor. Repeated studies are carried out during therapy to evaluate its effectiveness.

HPV types

There are now about 200 types or varieties of human papillomaviruses known. They are divided into 4 groups according to the risk of cancer. Each type is designated by a number, which was assigned to it in order of discovery.

There are types of HPV that:

• never cause cancer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 28, 49);
• very rarely cause cancer (6, 11, 13, 32, 40 – 44, 51, 72);
• have an average oncogenic risk (26, 30, 35, 52, 53, 56, 58, 65);
• most often give malignant degeneration (16, 18, 31, 33, 39, 45, 50, 59, 61, 62, 64, 68, 70, 73).

The last group is the most dangerous for health.

Of the high oncogenic risk human papillomaviruses, the most common types are 16, 18, 31, 33, 52, 58.

HPV accounts for 7–8% of all cancers. He is the reason:

• 99% of cervical cancer cases in women;
• 93% of anal cancer cases;
• 51% of vulvar cancer cases;
• 36% of penile cancer cases;
• 63% of oropharyngeal cancer cases.

Types of human papillomaviruses registered since 2003.