WHY SHOULD HPV VACCINATION BE ADMINISTERED?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for HPV (Human papillomavirus), but you can protect yourself by practicing safe sex and receiving the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent diseases associated with HPV, including genital warts and cervical cancer.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in both genders. Most people contract genital HPV through direct sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
There are over 140 types of HPV (papillomaviruses), and 80-85% of people will become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Although most cases of HPV infection will clear on their own, some types can pose health concerns, ranging from genital warts to cancer, such as:
– Women: Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer
– Men: Penile cancer
– Both genders: Oropharyngeal and anal cancer, including mouth and throat cancer
Among these, cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. According to the HPV Information Centre, on average, one person dies from cervical cancer every 4 minutes. Not everyone with HPV will develop cervical cancer, but most cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
In rare cases, a mother with an HPV infection may pass the virus to her child during childbirth. Babies born with HPV may develop a condition known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
HOW MANY TYPES OF HPV VACCINES ARE THERE?
Currently, there are two licensed HPV vaccines used for prevention: Gardasil (USA) and Cervarix (Belgium).
Cervarix vaccine helps prevent HPV types 16 and 18, while Gardasil vaccine helps prevent HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
HPV types 16 and 18 are considered high-risk infections because they can cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and anal cancer. In contrast, HPV types 6 and 11 are known to be the primary causes of genital warts. Vaccination can help prevent these viral strains.
WHAT IS THE MOST SUITABLE AGE FOR HPV VACCINATION?
WHY SHOULD YOU GET VACCINATED AGAINST HPV?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for HPV, but you can protect yourself by practicing safe sex and getting the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases related to HPV, including genital warts and cervical cancer.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in both genders. Most people contract genital HPV through direct sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
There are more than 140 types of HPV (papillomaviruses), and 80-85% of people will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives. While most HPV infections resolve on their own, some types can cause health concerns, from genital warts to cancers such as:
– Women: Cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer
– Men: Penile cancer
– Both genders: Oropharyngeal cancer and anal cancer, including mouth and throat
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. According to the HPV Information Centre statistics, one person dies of cervical cancer every 4 minutes on average. While not everyone with HPV will develop cervical cancer, the majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV.
In rare cases, a mother with an HPV infection can transmit the virus to her baby during childbirth. A child born with an HPV infection can develop a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
HOW MANY TYPES OF HPV VACCINES ARE THERE?
Currently, there are two types of HPV vaccines that are licensed for use: Gardasil (USA) and Cervarix (Belgium).
Cervarix vaccine provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, while Gardasil vaccine offers protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
HPV types 16 and 18 are considered high-risk infections because they can lead to cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and anal cancer. In contrast, HPV types 6 and 11 are the primary causes of genital warts. Vaccination can help prevent these viral strains.
WHAT IS THE MOST SUITABLE AGE FOR HPV VACCINATION?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for females aged 9-26, regardless of whether they have had sexual intercourse or not. The ideal age for HPV vaccination is 11-12 years.
HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone over the age of 26 because it provides fewer preventive benefits in this age group. However, some adults aged 27 to 45 who have not been vaccinated may choose to get the HPV vaccine after discussing their risk of new HPV infection and potential vaccine benefits with their healthcare provider.
HOW MANY DOSES OF HPV VACCINE ARE REQUIRED, AND WHEN?
The HPV vaccine requires a total of 3 doses within a 6-month timeframe. The second dose should be administered 2 months after the first dose, and the third dose should be given 4 months after the second dose.
In cases where the vaccination schedule needs to be adjusted, the second dose should be administered at least 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose should be given at least 3 months after the second dose.
If you are overdue for any dose, you can still receive the vaccine as usual, without needing to restart the series. However, it’s important to adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule to ensure immunization effectiveness.
DO YOU NEED A BOOSTER HPV VACCINE AFTER 10 YEARS?
According to U.S. research, Gardasil vaccine is effective for up to 30 years. If you have received all 3 doses according to the recommended schedule, you do not need a booster vaccine after 10 years. However, it’s still advisable to undergo regular gynecological examinations and Pap smear tests.
CAN MARRIED WOMEN RECEIVE THE HPV VACCINE?
Studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is most effective when given to individuals who have not been infected with HPV or have not yet had sexual intercourse between the ages of 9 and 26. However, married women can still receive the HPV vaccine, though its effectiveness may be lower than in the recommended age group.
CAN PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVE THE HPV VACCINE?
Although no evidence has shown that the HPV vaccine affects pregnancy or fetal development, it is not recommended for pregnant women. You should wait to get pregnant until after receiving the third dose of the vaccine, and if you become pregnant during the vaccination schedule, it is advised to postpone vaccination until after childbirth, but not exceeding 2 years.
DO MEN NEED THE HPV VACCINE?
Some HPV strains can cause penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers in men. Although HPV is common in both men and women, health issues related to HPV primarily affect women and are less common in men.
Currently, in some Western countries, HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and young men aged 9-21. However, it is more recommended for young girls because of the common health consequences it causes in women. When women receive the HPV vaccine, they indirectly protect their partners or spouses.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE HPV VACCINE?
Some people are concerned that the HPV vaccine may have serious or long-term side effects, such as affecting fertility. However, as of now, no severe side effects have been proven to be caused by the HPV vaccine.
It can cause mild to moderate side effects in some people, but these are not common. Possible side effects after vaccination may include:
– Pain or swelling at the injection site
– Mild fever
– Headache
– Fatigue
– Muscle pain
– Joint pain
Even if you have received the HPV vaccine, you should still undergo regular cervical cancer screening.
The HPV vaccine does not prevent all types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. It only protects against types 16 and 18, which cause the majority of cervical cancer cases. In fact, there are more than 10 other HPV strains that can potentially lead to cancer, albeit less commonly. Regular gynecological examinations and Pap smear tests are crucial to detect any signs of cervical cancer in a timely manner.
Additionally, the HPV vaccine does not protect you from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or treat conditions related to HPV. You still need to practice safe sex to prevent infection or transmission of other STIs.
ARE THERE OTHER EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER BESIDES VACCINATION?
Currently, HPV vaccination is the most effective method to prevent genital warts and cervical cancer. However, you can reduce your risk by following these measures:
– Use condoms when engaging in sexual activity to reduce the risk of HPV infection or transmission.
– Women should undergo regular cervical cancer screening. Physicians can detect abnormal cells through Pap smear tests.
– Maintain a healthy diet, especially rich in folic acid and plant-derived nutrients.
WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK OF HPV INFECTION IF NOT VACCINATED?
Several factors can increase your risk of HPV infection if you are not vaccinated, including:
– Not using condoms or other safe sex practices during sexual intercourse.
– Engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners.
– Having open wounds.
– Exposure to sexually transmitted genital warts.
– Smoking, which can weaken the immune system.
– Having a weakened immune system.
– Having a diet low in vitamins and nutrients.
