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HPV Vaccine Facts

HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmitted disease that affects tens of millions of people each year. The HPV vaccine, which prevents the contraction of HPV, can help prevent some of the diseases that HPV causes in some people.

  1. HPV Basics

    • HPV is a strain of sexually transmitted viruses that can cause certain types of cervical cancer and genital warts.

      HPV is contracted via sexual contact. The effects of HPV cause changes in women's cervical cells--changes that can lead to cervical cancer, which is dangerous and even deadly in some cases.

      Not all strains of HPV cause genital warts, but some strains are known to cause fleshy growths on the genitals that are unsightly and embarrassing.

    Typical Sufferers

    • HPV is contracted by millions of women each year. Men carry the HPV virus, but usually do not exhibit symptoms.

      The fact that HPV is silent in most cases is a cause for concern. The only way for you to know if you've contracted HPV is by having a pap smear done annually. If the cells in your pap smear are shown to be abnormal in growth, it is likely that you've contracted HPV.

      If you have genital warts, it is also likely that you've contracted HPV.

    Role of The HPV Vaccine

    • The HPV vaccine is an injection that is given several times over a span of several months and can prevent HPV infection, as well as the risk of HPV-caused cervical cancer and genital warts.

      The injection contains the virus in a deactivated state, which causes the patient's body to make antibodies to attack the already-dead virus. By having the necessary antibodies on-hand, the vaccine can prevent the patient from future HPV infection.

    Recommended Vaccinations

    • The HPV vaccine is recommended to all women between the ages of 11 and 26. It can be administered, however, at any age after age 9.

      Most women contract HPV in their teens or early twenties, so the administration of the vaccine correlates with this statistic.

      To obtain an HPV vaccine, see your doctor or family practitioner.

    Side Effects of the Vaccine

    • Common side effects of the HPV vaccine are pain and swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, nausea, dizziness and diarrhea.

      Less common side effects include coughing, vomiting, joint pain, trouble sleeping, nasal congestion and a general feeling of being unwell soon after receiving the injection.

    Considerations

    • The HPV vaccine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is considered to be safe and effective at preventing HPV and the diseases associated with it.

      Some cases of genital warts and cervical cancer are not related to HPV, so receiving the vaccine does not completely eliminate the risk of these illnesses, although it does lessen them.

      To determine whether or not the HPV vaccine is right for you, consult with your physician or gynecologist.

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