The human papillomavirus leads to the formation of papillomas and condylomas on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, on the skin of the perineum, near the anus, and also in the respiratory tract.
There are over 100 varieties of HPV known to science. The main mode of transmission of the virus is sexual intercourse, however, other ways of infection are not excluded.
These viruses are widespread among the human population. Therefore, after the onset of sexual activity, many people become infected with it. Moreover, infection occurs at a fairly young age.
When a person becomes infected with one of the types of papillomavirus, then it no longer poses a danger to him. The virus will exist in the epithelium, without leading to a pronounced immune response of the body. Re-infection with the same type of virus is not excluded.
papilloma vaccine
The modern pharmacological industry offers two types of HPV vaccines: one of them allows you to protect against 4 types of viruses (6, 11, 16, 18), and the other from 2 types (16, 18). The first vaccine is called Gardasil (manufactured by MSD – Merck Sharp and Domu B.V, Holland), and the second Cervarix (manufactured by GSK Biologicals, Belgium).
The preparation does not contain the DNA of the virus itself, but only fragments of its shell (protein part). However, this is enough for the body to be able to produce antibodies that will prevent infection upon contact with a virus carrier. Due to the fact that there are no DNA fragments of the virus in the vaccine, it is absolutely safe for human health and does not lead to infection.
Aluminum hydroxide is a mandatory component of vaccination, which is necessary for the production of antibodies to human papillomaviruses. Antibiotics, yeast and preservatives are present in the preparation.
Regardless of the type of vaccine (from 2 types of virus or from 4), each of them is sterile. The drug is enclosed in a disposable syringe or vial. Single dose is 0,5 ml
Cervarix is available in 2 vials, which must be kept refrigerated. The air temperature should not be more than 2-8 °C above zero, but the vaccine should not be frozen. If the storage conditions are not observed, the drug loses its qualities.
Both vaccines have passed all the necessary clinical trials and there is no doubt about their effectiveness. They provide one hundred percent human protection against 16 and 18 types of papillomaviruses, which can provoke the development of cancer. Gardasil additionally helps prevent infection with types 11 and 6 of viruses, which lead to the appearance of genital warts on the genitals.
In addition, HPV types 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59 known to science have a similar structure to types 16 and 18, so the introduction of the vaccine also protects to some extent from infection with these ten types of viruses. . The risk of developing oncology in a vaccinated person is reduced to 5-10%.
The vaccine can be given to both female and male adolescents. However, it is mainly girls who are vaccinated, as this leads to an interruption in the chain of transmission of the virus. As a result, the male population also receives protection, albeit indirectly.
In the United States, everyone is vaccinated without exception: both girls and boys. Nevertheless, not every state is able to provide its population with a vaccine, since this is a rather expensive budget item.
Diseases caused by HPV
Don’t underestimate the harm that HPV can do to a person’s health. Viruses can lead to the development of genital infections, which most often have a benign course and can pass on their own.
However, some infections can cause genital cancers in both men and women, including:
Cancer of the external genital organs;
Cancer of the cervix and vagina;
Penile cancer;
head and neck cancer;
Cancer of the anus;
Formation of warts around the anus and in the perineum;
Papillomatosis of the larynx.
The higher the level of development of medicine in the country, the lower the mortality rate of the population from oncological diseases provoked by HPV. As a rule, they can be prevented in 80% of cases. However, if the state does not carry out work in this area, then the mortality rate among the young population remains quite high. The fact is that the virus provokes the degeneration of the cells of the uterus and vagina, causing neoplasia (it is considered as a precancer). If this process remains undetected and is not treated, then after a few years (15-20) a person will develop oncology.
HPV types 6 and 11 in 90% of cases lead to the formation of benign warts and papillomas, and HPV types 16 and 18 can provoke cancer.
In connection with these circumstances, in the Russian Federation, since 2006, the introduction of the HPV vaccine has been allowed.
About the need for human papillomavirus vaccination
The vaccine is recommended to be administered to girls from the age of 12, since over time the human papillomavirus can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Moreover, the disease develops in women at a fairly young age. It has been proven that cervical cancer is provoked by HPV, and not by other diseases. Timely introduction of the vaccine is able to reliably protect against oncology.