Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer in women, the fourth most common cancer in women. Although most HPV infections have no symptoms, prolonged genital HPV infection in women can cause cervical cancer.
Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are associated with genital HPV infection, and this is the most common viral infection in the reproductive tract. HPV can cause other types of anogenital cancer, head and neck cancer, and genital warts in men and women.
In this blog, Sai Siva Children’s Hospital provides you with answers to most frequently asked questions about HPV, which are problems caused by HPV, vaccination and its efficacy in treating HPV virus, patients to whom HPV vaccine is to be administered and its schedule, why to get vaccination for HPV in girls and why it is essential, to whom HPV vaccine is not recommended, and how to protect yourself against HPV.
At Sai Siva Children’s Hospital, we educate women about the importance of vaccinating their children at the recommended age. Paediatrics at Sai Siva Children’s Hospital play an important role in training child’s parents to make informed decisions about male and female HPV vaccinations. Also, obstetricians at Sai Siva Children’s Hospital play an important role in educating women about their health, periodic examinations to monitor any untoward conditions, and treat accordingly.
What Are HPV and its effects on health?
In women, chances of contracting cervical cancer with HPV. The HPV infection can also cause cancer in the vagina, vulva, anus, mouth, and throat.
In men, HPV infection can cause cancer of the penis, anus, mouth, and throat.
New research shows that HPV can be linked to heart disease in women.
Women and men can get HPV through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Most people infected with HPV do not know that they have it because they are no apparent signs. People don’t always develop genital warts, even if the virus is still in their body. The damage is rather slow. Also, people with HPV can transmit the infection to others without knowing.
The vaccine is an essential step in preventing infection and spread of the HPV. Therefore, doctors recommend that all girls receive vaccines at the appropriate age. Girls of 11 to 12 years old. Women from the age of 9 years through 45yrs are recommended to get vaccinated.
Is There A Treatment for HPV Infection?
There is no cure for HPV infection. Only lesions associated with HPV are treated, including genital warts, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, precancerous lesions, and cancer. The recommended treatment varies depending on the diagnosis, size, and location of warts.
Vaccines only help in the prevention of the disease, but not for treating the disease.
What is the HPV Vaccine and To Whom HPV Vaccine is for and At what age should we take HPV vaccine?
The FDA states that the HPV vaccine is for both men and women. Usually, the HPV vaccine is for children in the age group of 11 to 12. In some children, the HPV vaccine is administered beginning at age 9 through age 45.
After a person gets infected with HPV, the vaccine still provides immunity against further infections. Also, the vaccination reaction is best when administered at a young age than when administered later.
Most of the teenagers, ages 9 to 14, must receive one HPV vaccine in a series of two doses, with doses separated by 6 to 12 months. People who start HPV vaccination at the age of 15 years and older must receive the vaccine in the form of a three-dose series, the second dose is taken 1 to 2 months after receiving the first dose, and the third dose is given six months after the first dose.
There are some exceptions to this age recommendation. A doctor can give you more information regarding this vaccination. Research has shown that the two-dose schedule is useful for children under 15. As the studies show that two doses of HPV vaccine given six months apart in individuals aged 9–14 years resulted in antibody titers equal to those in individuals aged 15–26 years who were given three doses.
Why should Girls get the Vaccination?
The HPV vaccine protects against infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with many cancers, including:
- Cervical cancer in females
- Vaginal and vulvar cancers in females
- Anal cancer in females
- Throat cancer in females
Also, the HPV vaccine prevents the infection of HPV that causes genital warts in women and men.
This vaccine is not a substitute for the screening of cervical cancer. Women must continue to receive Pap Smear test regularly.
Usually, the HPV infection is caused by sexual contact, and most of the people will get infected with HPV at some point in their life. Most infections with HPV will go away on their own and not cause serious problems. However, sometimes, most women and men get cancer and other diseases from HPV.
Getting the HPV vaccine is important because genital HPV is a common virus that is transmitted from one person to another with sexual activity through direct contact. Most sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives, but most will never know it. The HPV infection is most common in humans at the end of puberty and in the early 20s. There are around 40 types of HPV that can infect the male and female genitalia.
Most types of HPV have no symptoms, and they do disappear on their own, but some types can cause cervical cancer in women and other less common cancers such as the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and oropharynx. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women called genital warts. Genital warts are not life-threatening. However, they can cause emotional stress and taking treatment in genital area patient may feel very uncomfortable.
What Does the HPV Vaccine Do?
Various types of HPV are spread through sexual contact and are associated with most cervical cancer cases.
This vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases if given before a girl or woman get exposed to the virus. Also, this vaccine can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in women as well as genital warts and anal cancer in women and men.
In theory, vaccinating boys against the type of HPV associated with cervical cancer can also help girls protecting from viruses from the possibility of reducing transmission. Some types of HPV are also associated with mouth and throat cancers so that HPV vaccine may protect against this cancer.
How Does HPV Vaccines Work?
Like other immunizations that protect against viral infections, the HPV vaccine stimulates the body to produce antibodies. This antibody helps the body if encounters with the HPV virus in the future, bind to viruses, and prevent cell infections.
Virus-like particles (VLP) formed from the surface components of HPV is used for the production of HPV Vaccine. VLP is not infectious because they do not have viral DNA. However, they are very similar to natural viruses, and antibodies produced against the VLP also acts against the natural virus. It has found that VLPs are highly immunogenic, which means that they induce high antibody production in the body. This antibody makes the vaccine very effective.
The vaccine does not prevent other sexually transmitted diseases, nor does it treat HPV infections or existing HPV disorders.
To Whom the HPV vaccine is Not Recommended?
The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women or those who are seriously ill. Don’t forget to tell your doctor if you have severe allergies, including allergies to yeast or latex. If you have a life-threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine component or previous vaccine dose, you should not receive the vaccine.
Which Girl / Woman Should Receive the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is for:
- Girls aged 11 and 12 years.
- It is also recommended for girls and women aged between 13 and 26 who have not been vaccinated or have not completed the vaccination series.
- Vaccines against HPV is also given in girls at the age of 9 years.
- It is recommended that children aged 11 to 12 receive two doses of HPV vaccine to protect themselves from HPV cancers.
For more information about this recommendation of HPV Vaccines, please contact Sai Siva Children’s Hospital.
How To Protect Yourself Against HPV:
Using contraception (a condom) when practicing sex. Remember, Condoms can’t completely prevent infections. They can only protect the partner who is not infected to not contract HPV.
To protect against HPV, follow the schedule of vaccine administration as laid down by the treating doctor. If you wish to know the schedule for vaccination and appropriate ages of administering the vaccine, please talk to our doctors at Sai Siva Children’s Hospital.
Conclusion:
Human Papillomavirus is said to be the most common type of sexually-transmitted disease. The classic symptom of this infection is the growth of warts in and around the genital area. Currently, there is no cure for this condition, only prevention in the form of vaccine exists. The efficacy of the vaccine is best when injected at a young age. Use of contraception and maintaining genital hygiene using water and medicated cleansers shall help in preventing the spread of the disease.
We, at Sai Siva Children’s Hospital, believe in having answered the most frequently asked questions about HPV. However, if there are any further queries which you need answers from doctor, please pick up your phones and schedule an appointment with our panel of experienced and able pediatrics and Gynecologist at 040 2303 7879
About The Hospital:
Sai Siva Children’s Hospital, Chanda Nagar, is a full-fledged medical facility specially designed for pediatric patients as well as young adults. The hospital was started in the year 2008, with the aim of reaching out to schools and villages to educate the middle and high school students about health & hygiene. Sai Siva Children’s Hospital is one of the most sought-after children’s hospitals in Hyderabad with a team of experienced doctors and skilled staff who aim to help your child have healthy growth and development. We believe that children today are the future of our world, and must have good health to make the world a better place to live in.