ref. : CDC, USA.
What is HPV?
Genital human papillomavirus
(HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More
than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time
in their lives.
About 20 million Americans are
currently infected, and about 6 million more get infected each year. HPV is
usually spread through sexual contact.
Most HPV infections don’t cause
any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV can cause cervical cancer in
women. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women
around the world. In the United States, about 12,000 women get cervical cancer
every year and about 4,000 are expected to die from it.
HPV is also associated with
several less common cancers, such as vaginal and vulvar cancers in women, and
anal and oropharyngeal (back of the throat, including base of tongue and
tonsils) cancers in both men and women. HPV can also cause genital warts and
warts in the throat.
There is no cure for HPV
infection, but some of the problems it causes can be treated.
HPV vaccine: Why get vaccinated?
The HPV vaccine you are getting
is one of two vaccines that can be given to prevent HPV. It may be given to
both males and females.
This vaccine can prevent most
cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before exposure to the
virus. In addition, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females, and
genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.
Protection from HPV vaccine is
expected to be long-lasting. But vaccination is not a substitute for cervical
cancer screening. Women should still get regular Pap tests.
Who should get this HPV vaccine and when?
HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose
series
•1st Dose - Now
•2nd Dose - 1 to 2 months after
Dose 1
•3rd Dose - 6 months after Dose 1
Additional (booster) doses are
not recommended
Routine vaccination
• This HPV vaccine is recommended
for girls and boys 11 or 12 years of age. It may be given starting at age 9.
Why is HPV vaccine recommended at 11 or 12 years of age?
HPV infection is easily acquired,
even with only one sex partner. That is why it is important to get HPV vaccine
before any sexual contact takes place. Also, response to the vaccine is better
at this age than at older ages.
Catch-up vaccination
This vaccine is recommended for
the following people who have not completed the 3-dose series:
•Females 13 through 26 years of
age.
•Males 13 through 21 years of
age.
This vaccine may be given to men
22 through 26 years of age who have not completed the 3-dose series.
It is recommended for men through
age 26 who have sex with men or whose immune system is weakened because of HIV
infection, other illness, or medications.
HPV vaccine may be given at the
same time as other vaccines.
Some people should not get HPV vaccine or should wait.
•Anyone who has ever had a
life-threatening allergic reaction to any component of HPV vaccine, or to a
previous dose of HPV vaccine, should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if
the person getting vaccinated has any severe allergies, including an allergy to
yeast.
•HPV vaccine is not recommended
for pregnant women. However, receiving HPV vaccine when pregnant is not a
reason to consider terminating the pregnancy. Women who are breast feeding may
get the vaccine.
•People who are mildly ill when a
dose of HPV vaccine is planned can still be vaccinated. People with a moderate
or severe illness should wait until they are better.
What are the risks from this vaccine?
This HPV vaccine has been used in
the U.S. and around the world for more than six years and has been very safe.
However, any medicine could
possibly cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk
of any vaccine causing a serious injury, or death, is extremely small.
Life-threatening allergic
reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a
few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
Several mild to moderate problems are known to occur with this HPV
vaccine.
These do not last long and go
away on their own.
Ø Reactions
in the arm where the shot was given:
Ø Pain
(about 8 people in 10)
Ø Redness
or swelling (about 1 person in 4)
Ø Fever:
◦Mild (100° F) (about 1 person in 10)
Ø Moderate
(102° F) (about 1 person in 65)
Ø Headache
(about 1 person in 3)
Ø Fainting:
Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking movements) can
happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying
down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and
injuries caused by falls. Tell your doctor if the patient feels dizzy or
light-headed, or has vision changes or ringing in the ears.
Like all vaccines, HPV vaccines
will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.
What if there is a serious reaction?
What should I look for?
•Look for anything that concerns
you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behaviour
changes.
Signs of a severe allergic
reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty
breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few
minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
What should I do?
•If you think it is a severe
allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 999 or get the
person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
•Afterward, the reaction should
be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor
might file this report.
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