Alcohol makes you susceptible to HPV

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MunichAnyone who enjoys beer, wine and the like too often damages their cardiovascular system or organs such as the liver. But alcohol also makes you more susceptible to the human papilloma virus (HPV). At least that's what a recent study with Danish men shows.

HPV is widespread in the population, and yet there appears to be a risk factor that has received little attention. At least that's what one research showed in which Matthew Schabath and his colleagues at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida screened more than 1,300 men for HPV. To do this, the scientists analyzed swabs from the test subjects 'genital area in search of the virus' DNA. They also asked the men about their alcohol consumption. The average amount of alcohol consumed in grams per day was calculated from the information provided by the test persons. They also provided information about their sexual activity and whether they smoked.

Half a beer is enough

The researchers found a clear link between alcohol consumption and HPV infections: those who drink more are more likely to be infected. The researchers dated the greatest effect in the group that drank the most, namely more than 9.9 grams of alcohol per day. That corresponds to about a quarter of a liter of beer. For all types of the virus, the risk of infection increased by 13 percent, for the cancer-causing virus by as much as 35 percent. This relationship was found regardless of whether the test subjects smoked or how many people they had sex with.

Inhibited immune system

But why does alcohol promote HPV infection? "Alcohol inhibits our immune system," explains Schabath. Previous studies had shown that even moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages had a negative impact on the body's defenses. This makes it easier for viruses or bacteria to attack body cells.

HPV is transmitted through sex. It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all sexually active people will become infected with the pathogen at some point in their life. Visible consequences of an infection can be unpleasant genital warts in the genital and anal area. But that doesn't mean that symptoms will also show up. In most cases, the infection has no consequences.

However, some of the more than 100 different subspecies trigger cancer years after being infected. For example, the case of Michael Douglas, who attributed his throat cancer to HPV, is known. What is certain is that some HPVs cause cervical cancer in women. Recent studies also suggest that men can also develop genital tumors from the virus. (away)

Source: Schabath M. et al .: Alcohol consumption and prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among US men in the HPV in Men (HIM) study, Sexually Transmitted Infections, October 2, 2014.

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