HPV Vaccines approved through age 45 and why you need to get on that!
What is HPV or human papillomavirus?
It is a virus that can cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers and genital warts. It can also cause anal cancer. Well, that sucks!
Remember HPV is not HSV which is herpes simplex virus that causes herpes. They are different viruses, but I know some women can mix them up due to the similarity in their names.
What are some stats on HPV?
Believe me when I say it is VERY COMMON! I literally see at least 1-3 patients with a history of a past or current HPV infection in my office daily!
* ~80 million people in the United States are infected with HPV.
*~14 million people become infected with HPV each year.
*More than half on new HPV causes occur in people over 25 years of age.
How is HPV spread?
HPV can be spread through sexual contact with someone that has HPV. Intercourse is the most common mode of transmission, but any skin-to-skin contact involving the genitals can increase your risk. So yes, HPV is considered a sexually transmitted infection.
Will I have an HPV infection for the rest of my life?
So this is one of the number one questions I get asked daily. The answer is fairly simple but it is different for every individual. Most women who are young, healthy, non-smokers and not immunocompromised due to a chronic condition will clear the infection because your immune system will fight it off. It is those people whose immune system can’t fight it off completely that can get cancer, but of course, with different treatments, this can be prevented. One method of prevention is vaccination.
So what is the HPV vaccine?
Its brand name is called Gardisil. It is the only vaccine that protects against 9 types of high-risk HPV strains that are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers and diseases.
Who can get the vaccine?
It is approved for males and females starting at age 9 through now age 45. The results of HPV prevention were so promising in the younger population that the age limit was expanded.
How often do I need to get the vaccine?
Most people will get 3 doses. The second will be given 2 months from the first and the third will be given 6 months from the first. Younger children will get two doses.
What are the common side effects of the vaccine?
pain, redness, itching or a lump where the vaccine was injected
headaches
fever
nausea
dizziness
fatigue
abdominal pain
diarrhea
Very rare but fainting
