Everything You Need To Know About the HPV Vaccine

Key Takeaways

The HPV vaccine prevents you from getting an HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection.
You should get the HPV vaccine in early adolescence and not when you are pregnant.
The vaccine is administered in a series of shots.
The HPV vaccine can prevent the risk of cancer and genital warts.
The HPV vaccine causes soreness, dizziness, and headaches.

The importance of HPV vaccine 2-01_Activ Living Community

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that spreads through skin-to-skin contact. It is essential to understand who it affects and how it can be prevented.

What you need to know:

What is the HPV vaccine?
What is the use of the HPV vaccine?
Who should get the HPV vaccine?
Who should not get the HPV vaccine?
Procedure details for HPV vaccine
Benefits of HPV vaccine
Risks of HPV vaccine
Safeguard your health

What is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that can protect you from an HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection. HPV infection is very common, and one can get diagnosed if precautions are not taken on time. About 40 HPV types can spread through intimate contact. However, healthy immune systems can often fight off this virus.

What is the use of the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine protects against genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer, which include cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis or anus caused by HPV. It also protects against mouth, throat, head and neck cancers caused by HPV. The vaccine gives the body a safe way to build immune system awareness of some HPV strains so that the body can quickly clear out those virus strains if a person catches them later.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine should be given in early adolescence since it is most effective before exposure to HPV through sexual activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 and aims to prevent a new infection.

Who should not get the HPV vaccine?

You should not get the HPV vaccine if you:

Are pregnant. There is little research about the vaccine’s safety during pregnancy. Getting the vaccine after having a baby is best. The HPV vaccine is not associated with pregnancy complications; if one learns they are pregnant after getting a shot, it is harmless.
Reacted to a previous dose. The healthcare provider must know of a prior HPV shot and any severe allergies, including yeast or latex allergies, which may increase the risk of an allergic reaction.
Have any moderate to severe illness. Wait for the vaccine until you are healthy.

Procedure details for HPV vaccine

The number of doses and the schedule depend on the age when the vaccine series starts.

Dosing schedule:

2 doses: For people who start the vaccine series before age 15, the second dose is given 6 to 12 months after the first.
3 doses: For people who start the vaccine series at age 15 or older and for people with weakened immune systems, the third dose is given 6 months after the second.

Benefits of HPV vaccine

Here are some benefits of the HPV vaccine:

The HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and several other types of cancers, including anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, hence reducing the risk of these diseases.
HPV vaccine prevents genital warts in any sexually active person.
The HPV vaccine helps prevent the virus’s transmission to other people.

The best defence against the virus for everyone is to get vaccinated, as this impacts public health.

Risks of HPV vaccine

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The HPV vaccine is fairly safe. But, as with any vaccination, there is a slight chance that you may notice mild side effects briefly after getting the shot. Common side effects of the HPV vaccine are:

Soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site
Headache or feeling tired
Muscle or joint pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Fever
Severe allergic reactions (rare)

Safeguard your health

By choosing vaccination, you can safeguard your health and contribute to the broader goal of reducing HPV transmission and associated illnesses. Prevention is power, and the HPV vaccine is a powerful tool in that journey.

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