HPV vaccine – HPV virus, types of vaccines, HPV vaccine effectiveness

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The HPV vaccine protects the body against infection with the Human Papilloma Virus. The virus is most commonly transmitted sexually, but there are other routes of infection as well, such as sharing towels or underwear. The human papillomavirus can be the direct cause of cervical cancer. However, to protect yourself from becoming infected with HPV, you can take the HPV vaccine. In Poland, it is fully paid. Why is it worth having the HPV vaccine?

HPV virus – what is it?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a pathogen that is carcinogenic and is mainly sexually transmitted. It is very common and many people are unaware that it is carriers because the infection can be asymptomatic. HPV has over 120 different serotypes. About 40 of them are capable of causing the body to become infected sexually.

Main types of HPV virus it:

1. HPV low-tumor virus. The human papillomavirus carries a low risk of developing cervical cancer when it is low oncogenic. Low-oncogenic HPV virus can cause the development of small and mild lesions in the genitals and anus, called condylomata acuminata.
2. Highly oncogenic HPV virus. As the name suggests, it carries a high risk of developing cervical cancer. However, high-carcinogenic serotypes can also induce other types of cancer, e.g. cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, but also of the tongue and throat.

The human papillomavirus attacks the endothelium of the genital tract. Its role is very important in the development of cervical cancer. Increasingly, however, doctors say that this is only one of the factors that contribute to the development of cervical cancer. In most people, the infection is fought by the immune system, unless, of course, it is weakened and works properly. Cervical cancer is most common in women aged 45–60 years. It is diagnosed in approximately 3000 Polish women annually. Half of them lose the fight against the disease.

To be sure, do the HPV virus – a panel of genetic tests for men, thanks to which 41 HPV genotypes will be determined.

You can protect yourself from HPV infection by opting for vaccination. It is one of the vaccinations recommended by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, but it is a paid service. Sometimes it is possible to do HPV vaccination for free – this option appears as part of preventive vaccination programs financed from local government budgets.

HPV virus – how does it spread?

The easiest way to get HPV infection is through sexual contact. genital-genital, but also oral-genital. Down HPV infection it can also happen during childbirth if the mother is ill. This is called vertical transmission. Therefore, it is not recommended to start intercourse too early or change sexual partners frequently.

A person who has ever had sexual contact may have contracted HPV. However, it should be remembered that very often a person who is actually infected with HPV does not show the characteristic symptoms associated with an infection. Hence, the HPV virus is easily spread to other people.

HPV virus – how to avoid infection?

The best way to avoid contamination with the human papillomavirus is through sexual abstinence. However, while it seems impossible, the risk of infection can be drastically reduced by keeping the number of sexual partners to a minimum and by using condoms, which are a mechanical barrier to the virus. Which is why vaccination against HPV it is most effective when it is performed between 11 and 12 years of age, i.e. when the risk of infection is very low or does not really exist.

Check what they are other vaccinations recommended by GIS:

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2. Smallpox vaccination – safety, indications, contraindications

HPV vaccine – what preparations are available on the Polish market?

The Polish medical market has three vaccines against the HPV virus. They are available as injections that are administered intramuscularly. Three doses are to be taken. HPV vaccines protect against precancerous conditions and cancer of the vulva, vagina, rectum, uterus, as well as the formation of genital warts. The following preparations are available in Poland:

1. Gardasil 9 – This HPV vaccine protects against 7 serotypes of the virus that can cause cancer – HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, and HPV 6 and HPV 11, which can develop genital warts.
2. Silgard – protects against highly oncogenic viruses HPV 16 and HPV 18, as well as two low-cancer viruses, ie HPV 6 and HPV 11. It is slightly cheaper than the HPV Gardasil 9 vaccine.
3. Cervarix – in turn, this HPV vaccine protects against highly oncogenic viruses such as HPV 16 and HPV 18.

HPV vaccine – how effective is it?

The effectiveness of the HPV vaccines is very high as long as you take all the recommended doses. Silgard and Cervarix vaccines reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by over 70%, while Gardasil 9 by about 90%. Vaccination has even cut the number of cases by half in countries where they are common.

However, it should be remembered that the cervical cancer vaccine is not really a guarantee of full effectiveness and protection against the disease. Therefore, women must remember about periodic smear tests.

If you suspect you have HPV infection or want to rule out HPV infection, you can perform a mail-order diagnostic test for HPV infection. The swab is performed independently and sent to the laboratory.

The HPV vaccine and cervical cancer

As already mentioned, HPV is the most frequently detected etiological factor causing cervical cancer, which in turn is the most frequently diagnosed gynecological neoplasm. That is why it is so important to protect young girls and women. The cervical cancer vaccine should be given before sexual initiation, but it is given later, and it also works. However, few people are aware of it, because social campaigns usually concern some local governments.

HPV vaccine – indications

The HPV vaccination recommendations apply to boys and girls entering their teens. The effectiveness of the procedure is highest precisely in children who have never had HPV infection. Contrary to popular belief, HPV vaccination does not target only the female part of the population. HPV in men also causes cancers, including cancer of the penis, anus, pharynx, and larynx. It is also the cause of the infamous genital warts. And it is men who very often pass HPV to women in whom it can contribute to the development of dangerous cervical cancer.

HPV vaccination should be carried out:

1. in girls and boys aged 11-12;
2. in HIV-positive people aged 9 to 26, if they have not been previously vaccinated;
3. in young men with active homosexual contacts.

Despite clear indications for vaccinating women and men early in life, it is also possible to use this preventive measure in the elderly up to 45 or 55 years of age. The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, however, is even half that after sexual intercourse or in people already infected with HPV. If you are unsure whether it is appropriate to vaccinate for HPV, please speak to your doctor.

1. Remember about compulsory vaccinations! Check: Mandatory vaccinations for children – what should you remember?

Vaccine against HPV – contraindications

Vaccination against HPV is not recommended in everyone. In the case of the human papillomavirus, some contraindications are related to the lack of studies on the administration of HPV preparations to some groups of people. Vaccination is not recommended:

1. in children under the age of 10;
2. in pregnant women;
3. in women who are breastfeeding, although vaccination may be decided if the benefits are considered to outweigh any potential complications;
4. in case of diseases associated with high body temperature, infections or exacerbated symptoms associated with chronic conditions;
5. in the case of known allergies to any of the ingredients of the vaccine;
6. in immunocompromised people or taking medications that induce immunosuppression.

Side effects after HPV vaccination

Like other vaccinations, the HPV vaccine also has a certain risk of vaccine adverse reactions (NOP). Normal post-vaccination reactions are standard, i.e. short-term symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. Malaise, fever, and headaches or muscle aches are also common. However, more serious symptoms of NOP, such as itching, hives, headache, dizziness or gastrointestinal complaints, are very rare.

Vaccinated HPV does not cause serious side effects. However, it increases the likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes, connective tissue diseases, Guillain-Barré syndrome or Hashimoto’s disease in young women, although this happens very rarely.

HPV vaccines – controversy

First of all, the effectiveness of HPV vaccines should not be confused with their effectiveness. Although clinical trials have shown their productivity for at least eight years, the risk of contracting human papillomavirus is still there, as is the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer. Also, remember that the HPV vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

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