How is human papillomavirus (HPV) contracted?
Aug 04, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Human papillomavirus (HPV) may be transmitted through sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, indirect contact, direct skin or mucosal contact, or iatrogenic transmission. If experiencing any discomfort, timely medical consultation is recommended. To prevent HPV infection, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene, keep the body clean and dry, avoid unsafe sexual practices, and undergo regular health check-ups.
Under normal circumstances, human papillomavirus (HPV) may be transmitted through sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, indirect contact, direct skin or mucous membrane contact, and iatrogenic transmission. If experiencing any discomfort, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Sexual Contact Transmission
HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, especially unprotected sexual activity, during which the virus may enter the body through minor skin or mucosal injuries and cause infection. Maintaining self-respect and self-care in daily life, along with regular physical examinations and observation of bodily changes, is recommended.
2. Mother-to-Child Transmission
During childbirth, if a pregnant woman carries HPV, the fetus may become infected while passing through the birth canal. In cases of laryngeal papillomatosis, laser therapy can be performed under a doctor's guidance to remove the tumor surgically.
3. Indirect Contact Transmission
Infection may occur through contact with objects contaminated by HPV, although the probability is low. For example, using personal items previously used by an infected person, such as towels, bathrobes, or underwear, or touching contaminated surfaces in public baths or swimming pools may lead to infection if the contacting skin or mucous membrane has a wound, allowing the virus to enter the body through the damaged area.
4. Direct Skin or Mucous Membrane Contact Transmission
HPV can also spread through close skin or mucous membrane contact that is not sexual in nature. For instance, if the hands are infected with HPV, touching one's own or another person's broken skin, or engaging in close physical contact such as hugging or kissing an infected individual may lead to viral transmission.
5. Iatrogenic Transmission
HPV may be transmitted during medical procedures if instruments are not adequately sterilized—for example, through contaminated gynecological examination instruments or surgical tools contacting a patient's mucous membranes, or due to improper hand protection by medical staff leading to self-infection and subsequent transmission to others. However, with the strict implementation of medical disinfection protocols, this mode of transmission has become extremely rare.
To prevent HPV infection, maintaining good personal hygiene, keeping the body clean and dry, avoiding unsafe sexual practices, and undergoing regular health check-ups are recommended to safeguard one's health.
