Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is quite common, and there is confusion about HPV, such as: who can get HPV and how is it transmitted? Can it be cured and is the HPV vaccine safe and effective? Medical experts at the Anderson Cancer Center believe there are several types of HPV associated with cervical cancer, and Professor Sturgis of the Center recently published a Top 10 Myths article warning people that knowing the following facts can prevent many HPV-related tumors.
Myth #1: Women are the only ones who can get HPV
Fact: HPV is common in both men and women, and the probability of contracting HPV over a lifetime is 80%.
Myth 2: People infected with HPV will have symptoms
Fact: Most people with HPV infection do not know they have HPV and do not have symptoms or other health problems. 90% of people with HPV infection will clear up on their own within two years. Patients who do not regress develop health problems such as genital warts and several related types of cancer, including cervical, rectal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers.
Myth 3: People infected with HPV must be sexually active
Fact: HPV is spread through close skin-to-skin contact. However, in most cases it is transmitted sexually, even in people who are not sexually active. Using a condom helps prevent infection, but it does not completely protect you from the virus because condoms sometimes do not cover all genital skin.
Myth #4: HPV infection can be cured
Fact: There is no cure for the HPV virus, but there are treatments for HPV-related health problems, such as the management of precancerous lesions and genital warts.
Myth #5: People with HPV infection cannot get pregnant
Fact: In most people with HPV infection, HPV infection does not affect a woman’s pregnancy. If a woman becomes pregnant with a co-infection of HPV, she may develop genital warts or cervical cell changes. Routine screening reveals these problems and requires treatment under a doctor’s supervision. Pregnancy after HPV vaccination is safe and the vaccine does not affect fetal development.
Myth #6: The HPV vaccine will protect you for life
Fact: Current data show that the vaccine is effective for 10 years, and some doctors believe it may be effective for longer or shorter.
Myth #7: The HPV vaccine is always the same
Fact: There are significant differences between the three FDA-approved HPV vaccines. Your doctor will determine the best vaccine for you.
Cervarix (HPV2) and Gardasil (HPV4) protect against most common types of HPV and cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and oropharynx. Gardasil protects against genital warts caused by HPV infection. These 2 vaccines protect 70% of women from developing cervical cancer.
The newest vaccine, Gardasil9 (HPV9), protects against 9 types of HPV, 5 of which are not effective with other vaccines, and HPV?9 protects 90% of women from cervical cancer.
Myth #8: The HPV vaccine causes sexual maturation
Fact: No studies have shown that the HPV vaccine increases sexual maturation. Men and women who received the HPV vaccine did not experience precocious sexual maturation compared to those who did not receive it.
Myth #9: Possible adverse reactions from the HPV vaccine
Fact: The HPV vaccine is a safe drug, but it can cause mild adverse reactions like any other vaccine or drug, the most common symptom being pain or redness at the site of the arm injection.
Myth #10: HPV vaccine can be given without a Pap test
Fact: No. One vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, and women aged 21 to 29 who have received the vaccine should still have a Pap test every three years. In addition to Pap tests, women aged 30 to 64 should also be tested for HPV every five years to detect relevant high-risk HPV infections and for further screening. women aged 65 and older should be screened on an individual basis.
The HPV vaccine protects the body from the high-risk types of HPV that cause tumors and should be administered to males and females between the ages of 11 and 12, as this is the best time for the body’s immune system to respond to the vaccine, according to Professor Ramondetta. However, women can also be vaccinated by age 26 and men by age 21.
A healthy vaccine can prevent cancer, so it’s better to get it now than later.