HPV infection pathways

HPV is primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucosal contact. Viral particles can penetrate the skin and mucosal surfaces through tiny injuries and infect basal epithelial cells. The following are the routes of HPV transmission:

Gentle-to-genital contact: This includes vulva, vagina, anus, and penis contact.

Oral-to-genital contact: Transmission can occur through mouth-to-vulva, mouth-to-penis, and mouth-to-anus contact.

Hand-to-genital contact: HPV can also be transmitted by touching the genitals with hands that have touched an infected area.

Vertical transmission: HPV can be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth, although this is less common.
Contact with surfaces or objects: Although less common, the virus can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it.
Autoinfection: The virus can spread from one area of the body to another by touching a wart or infected area and then touching another area of the body.