The HPV is a papillomavirus that infects our skin and mucous membranes. There are more than 100 types of HPV but only about 40 types are sexually transmitted. Of those 40 types, some could cause genital warts (low-risk) and some could cause cellular changes that could lead to cervical cancer (high-risk).
Most HPV infections do not cause symptoms, and 90% of them go away on their own. However, if the infection persists, you may be at risk of getting genital warts, cervical cancer, or other HPV related cancers such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus and penis.
There is no cure for HPV infections, but the conditions it causes can be treated. A healthy immune system can fight the infection naturally.
What do HPV vaccines do?
HPV vaccines induce our body's immune system to develop immunity against two (HPV type 16 and 18) or four (HPV type 6, 11, 16 and 18) types of HPV. HPV type 16 and 18 is estimated to cause 70% of cervical cancer, while type 6 and 11 is estimated to cause 90% of genital warts.
Are there other ways to prevent HPV infections?
If you choose to be sexually active, condoms may lower the risk of getting infected and developing HPV-related diseases, if used all the time and the right way. However, as HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom, they may not fully protect you from HPV. The only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
You can lower your chances of getting HPV by choosing to stay in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no or few sex partners. However, you could still get infected if your partner was infected with HPV before. Unfortunately, it may not be possible to determine if your partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. Although HPV tests are currently available, they are often only used as part of cervical cancer screening.
When should I get the vaccine?
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for 11- and 12-year-old girls although the vaccines are licensed for the age range of 9- to 26-year-olds for the quadrivalent vaccine (the vaccine that protects against four HPV types) and 10- to 45-year-olds for the bivalent vaccine (the vaccine that protects against two HPV types). The vaccine is most effective for girls who get vaccinated before their first sexual contact.
Are there reasons why I should not get the vaccine?
If you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast, or any other component of the HPV vaccine, you should not get the vaccine.
You should also tell your doctor if you have problems with your immune system (such as HIV infections or cancer) or if you are taking medications that affect your immune system.
The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.
Can the vaccine still protect me if I am already sexually active?
Most women will still benefit from getting the vaccine even when they are already sexually active. This is because they will be protected against other virus types contained in the vaccine.
Do I need a booster shot after vaccination?
The HPV vaccine is given as a three-dose series over six months. No booster doses are recommended at this moment.
Do I still need to go for Pap smears after I get vaccinated?
Yes, because the vaccine will NOT provide protection against all types of HPV that cause cancer or genital warts, so you will still be at risk for some cancers even with vaccination. Pap smears will help your doctor detect early cancerous changes in your cervix so he could treat it early.
In Malaysia, all women who are, or who have been sexually active between 20 and 65 years old, are recommended to go for Pap smear screenings. If your first two (annual) consecutive Pap results are negative, screening every three years is recommended.
Can men be vaccinated too?
Although there are ongoing studies to assess the vaccines' efficacy in men, there has not been any recommendation for men to get vaccinated.
Are the vaccines safe?
Following reports of side-effects and some deaths after HPV vaccinations, the US Food Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC have been monitoring the safety of HPV vaccines closely through its Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
So far, 94% of the reports are found to be non-serious reports, with consumers reporting syncope (fainting), pain at the injection site, headache, nausea and fever after vaccination.
Although these symptoms can be present in many other types of vaccinations, the FDA and CDC have reminded immunisation providers about the recommendation that individuals be watched carefully for 15 minutes after vaccination to avoid potential injury from a fall.
The remaining 6% of the reports include Gullain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), blood clots and even death after HPV vaccination. However, the FDA and CDC did not find evidence that the GBS and death rates are higher in those who are vaccinated than what was expected in the general population. Most of the individuals that reported blood clots were also found to have already had risk factors for blood clots, such as use of oral contraceptives. -The Star/ANN
