What is HPV virus? HPV virus, known as human papillomavirus in Chinese, is a generic term for a group of viruses, with more than 40 species associated with humans, of which can be divided into high-risk HPV and low-risk HPV according to their risk of causing cervical cancer. Low-risk HPV usually causes condyloma acuminata (e.g., types 6, 11, etc.), while high-risk HPV (e.g., types 16, 18, 58, 52, 33, etc.) persists for a long time Infection for more than 5-10 years has the potential to cause cervical lesions. This is the reason why people are afraid because of the association with cervical cancer. Worldwide, 90% of cervical cancers are caused by the HPV virus, and about 70% of them are associated with one of the types 16 and 18, which means that although the high-risk subtypes are also divided into close to more than 20 types, the most important ones to pay attention to are types 16 and 18. Will I definitely get cervical cancer if I am infected with HPV virus? Here is the most important misconception. 90% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV virus, which is true, but can it mean that 90% of all people infected with HPV get cervical cancer? Many times people’s worry is blind. Usually human infected with HPV can clear these viruses in 8-20 months under the effect of their own immunity. From long-term clinical observation, HPV high-risk subtypes persistent infection (so-called persistent infection is a fixed positive HPV high-risk subtype on annual review) for 5-10 years is the only way to develop cervical lesions. Does HPV infection show any symptoms? There are no symptoms after HPV infection. There are many people who do not show any symptoms even though they have been infected with the high-risk subtype of HPV for many years, which is the nature of this virus. It is only after the development of cervical lesions that the corresponding symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding after sex, appear. How is HPV infection treated? In fact, HPV infection is the same as all viral infections, there is no specific medicine to treat it, and most viral infections can subside automatically after a period of time, depending on the body’s immunity. In a way, it is similar to having a cold (upper respiratory tract virus infection) and drinking more hot water and sleeping more. Do I need to pay attention to anything in my life if I have HPV infection? HPV infection does not have any symptoms and does not affect normal life because a good body immunity is the best means to eliminate the virus infection, so people infected with HPV are advised to live a more active life, eat, sleep and move around. Can I still have intercourse if I am infected with HPV? Being infected with HPV is not an STD. It is not a ban on intercourse, but it is a ban on unclean sexual contact. People who have multiple sexual partners, or partners who have multiple sexual partners, are more likely to be infected with HPV and these situations need to be prohibited. After understanding the HPV virus, let’s now talk about the HPV vaccine 2 valent, 4 valent and 9 valent, which one should I get? If you want to be able to protect yourself more comprehensively and have sufficient financial strength, you can choose the 9-valent HPV vaccine; if you want to receive the HPV vaccine but are worried about safety and choose a more conservative option, then you can choose the 2-valent or 4-valent HPV vaccine (which has been on the market for a longer time and has more sufficient data in all aspects); if your sexual partners (including the past) are more fixed or you are not yet sexually active, then If you or your current partner has a richer sexual history, the 9-valent HPV vaccine is more recommended for better protection. In summary, you can choose based on your actual situation, and when in doubt or concern, consult your doctor before deciding. Do I need any other medical or health-related conditions before I make an appointment for vaccination? The NIDA recommends that HPV can be repeatedly infected and it is generally considered unnecessary to test for HPV infection in the body prior to vaccination. However, from a doctor’s perspective, if you have had HPV infection or cervical lesions as a result, it is better to treat the infection and get the vaccination after it has turned negative. It is also possible to get vaccinated while undergoing treatment. If you are sexually active, the only thing you need to be aware of is to use contraception, and it is best not to get pregnant within six months of the vaccination. Can women who are expecting or pregnant be vaccinated? There is a lack of data on the use of HPV vaccine in pregnant women, so HPV vaccination is not recommended for pregnant women. However, according to some studies, breastfeeding women can receive the HPV vaccine with no safety implications for the mother or baby. However, HPV infection is actually not as harmful as one might think, and it is perfectly acceptable to wait until after the fetus is born and weaned before getting vaccinated. Women who are preparing for pregnancy can adjust their vaccination schedule or pregnancy preparation plan according to their level of need for the HPV vaccine and their progress in preparing for pregnancy. If a woman becomes pregnant unexpectedly during the vaccination period, she can inform her doctor promptly during the maternity checkup and continue the pregnancy under observation; WHO believes that a woman can continue the remaining number of vaccinations after having a baby. Does vaccination mean that I can rest easy? No. The vaccine can only say that it greatly reduces a woman’s risk of cervical cancer, but there is a small percentage of cervical cancers that may be caused by other factors. Therefore, whether it is the 2-valent, 4-valent or 9-valent vaccine, regular screening is still needed after vaccination. There are rumors on the internet that “HPV vaccine has caused 328 deaths and thousands of disabilities”, is HPV vaccine safe? The WHO published a position paper on HPV vaccine in 2014 that discussed the safety of HPV vaccine and concluded that the safety of HPV vaccine is good. Based on the analysis of post-marketing adverse events, the incidence of serious adverse reactions associated with HPV vaccination is low, usually mild and self-limiting, and no serious adverse events attributable to the vaccine such as death or paralysis have been identified. There is no need to worry too much.