When the cold wind blows, many people want to soak in the hot springs comfortably. However, an online rumor about "HPV infection in hot springs" spread far and wide, making netizens panic.
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On January 8, a reporter from Hunan Daily interviewed Hu Hailing, deputy chief physician of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center of the Hunan Provincial Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital.
The full name of HPV is human papillomavirus, which has the characteristics of "cold tolerance but not heat tolerance", and will only deteriorate at a temperature of 55-60 °C. Therefore, if there is a virus in the hot spring water or swimming pool water, and the skin and mucous membranes are damaged, there is a real possibility that the human body will come into contact with HPV and become infected. Hu Hailing introduced that there are more than 200 kinds of HPV viruses currently known, and they are generally divided into high-risk types that are more likely to cause cancer and low-risk types that are less likely to cause cancer. The high-risk form is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women, while the low-risk form can cause genital warts or other benign lesions, including flat skin warts.
"Although there is a possibility of infection, this is a small probability event, so you don't need to panic too much. Hu Hailing said that the survival rate of HPV in formally disinfected hot springs and swimming pools will be greatly reduced, and the concentration of HPV in large water bodies is very low, so the chance of HPV infection in hot springs and swimming is very small. "It should be noted that if the genital tract is in direct contact with items such as toilets, towels, bath towels and other items of an HPV carrier, the possibility of HPV infection increases. ”
▲ Source: Photo by Jia Qiong of Kale Pictures
Chen Shuqin, director of the Department of Gynecology and chief physician of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, also believes that from a professional point of view, soaking in hot springs may be infected with HPV, but this possibility is extremely small. First of all, even if the hot spring water has been touched by HPV carriers, the HPV concentration in a large amount of hot spring water is extremely low or even negligible, so the chance of contracting HPV through the hot spring water is very small.
However, if the genital tract comes into direct contact with items such as toilets, towels, and bath towels of an HPV carrier, the possibility of HPV infection increases. "It can be seen that if you do not have close direct or indirect contact, the chance of contracting HPV just by soaking in hot springs is almost very low, so you don't need to be too nervous. Chen Shuqin said.
What are the common routes of HPV infection?
(1) Sexual transmission, which is the main way of HPV infection.
(2) Close contact, such as direct contact with the sexual organs and genital tract secretions of the infected person.
(3) Indirect contact, through contact with the clothing, daily necessities, utensils, etc. of the infected person.
(4) Iatrogenic infection, in which medical personnel do not protect themselves during treatment and nursing, resulting in self-infection or transmission to patients through medical personnel.
(5) Mother-to-child transmission is the close contact of the infant through the birth canal of the pregnant woman.
▲ Source: Photo by Jia Qiong of Kale Pictures
Don't want to soak in the hot springs and get infected?
Having said all this, it seems that there are "many dangers" in the hot springs, but you don't need to be too afraid. Do these things well to make your hot spring soak safer and more comfortable:
1. Choose a formal, hygienic hot spring place
Pay attention to whether the premises have a valid health permit and water quality test report posted in a conspicuous place.
2. Bring personal items
In order to avoid cross-infection, you should bring your own personal items such as towels, bath towels, slippers, etc., and clean and disinfect them before and after use.
3. Know the taboos of bathing
If you have a history of illnesses or allergies, you should choose the right hot spring with the advice of your doctor.
Avoid bathing in hot springs during women's menstrual periods, pregnancy, fasting, after full eating, after drinking, fatigue, or skin damage.
4. Pay attention to personal hygiene
Before soaking in the hot spring, you should wash your body, especially your intimate parts, to reduce the possibility of bacteria and viruses entering the hot spring water.
Rinse off in time after soaking in the hot springs. Drink plenty of fluids, urinate a lot, and pay attention to your secretions.
5. Control time
For first-time baths, it is recommended that each bath take no more than 15 minutes, and then it can be extended according to the individual's tolerance.
6. Avoid crowds
Try to choose a spa area with few people and plenty of space to reduce the risk of cross-infection.
7. Stay hydrated and warm
When soaking in the hot springs, you should replenish water in time, and dress in time to keep warm after coming out of the water to avoid colds.
8. Pay attention to your physical condition
If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during the hot spring bath, you should stop bathing immediately and seek medical attention if necessary.
After soaking in the hot springs, pay attention to observe the body for abnormal symptoms, such as itchy skin, redness, swelling, fever, etc., and seek medical attention in time if you feel unwell.
9. Take breaks
After soaking in the hot springs, the body may feel fatigued, so you should take proper rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
Source: China Xiaokang Network WeChat public account comprehensive Hunan Daily, Nanfang Net, Healthy Guangdong
Editor-in-charge: Zhou Jingtao
Review: Tian Yuan Yuying