Almost all sexually active people are infected with HPV at one point or another, and in most cases the infection is asymptomatic.
Some HPV infections cause the appearance of small, rough growths (anogenital warts) that can appear on the vagina, penis, anus, and less commonly in the throat. They can be painful, itchy, bleed or cause swelling of the glands.
HPV infection that does not go away on its own can cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which leads to a precancerous lesion, which, if left untreated, can develop into cervical cancer.
Usually, the period of development of cervical cancer after HPV infection is 15-20 years.
Oncological diseases caused by HPV can be prevented with the help of vaccines.
HPV vaccines are available in Ukraine:
- Cervarix (manufacturer – GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium);
- Gardasil (manufacturer – Merc, USA).
And in 2023, according to the National Immunization Portal, a 9-valent vaccine for the prevention of human papilloma virus Gardasil 9 was also registered.
Unlike the other two vaccines for the prevention of HPV, which have long been used in Ukraine - Cervarix and Gardasil - the Gardasil 9 vaccine has an expanded composition and protects against 9 types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58 (for comparison: Cervarix protects against types 16 and 18, Gardasil against types 6, 11, 16 and 18).
In view of the expanded composition in many countries of the world, where vaccination against HPV is included in the vaccination calendar, there is a gradual transition to the use of the 9-valent vaccine against HPV.
It is important to note that this is not about the ineffectiveness of other HPV vaccines that protect against the most common strains of HPV, but only about increasing the protection provided by the vaccine.
In Ukraine, vaccination against the papillomavirus is included in the list of "recommended".
HPV vaccination is given to girls aged 9-14 years, before they start having sex.
Boys are also vaccinated, because they can be carriers of the virus.
Regarding receiving the HPV vaccination, contact your family doctor.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent HPV infection, cervical cancer, and other HPV-related cancers.