The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common genital tract infection caused by the virus. In total, there are about forty different types of this virus in the world that can infect the genital area in both men and women, including the vulva (female external genital organs), the skin on the surface of the penis, and the rectum and cervix . The human papillomavirus vaccine is now very popular.
About the virus
Some types of HPV do not harm the human body, but others can cause a variety of malignant tumors that arise from epithelial cells and especially in the genital area:
- A malignant tumor that develops on the cervical mucosa (cervical oncology) in women.
- Precancerous and pathological modifications of the cervix (the so-called modifications of cervical cells, which carry a risk of development and transformation into a malignant tumor).
- Malignant tumor of the female external genital organs (vulvar and vaginal cancer).
- Condylomas (warts) in the genital area in the female and male population.
Oncology
Cervical cancer is a very serious disease that can be life-threatening for a woman. Almost all recorded cases (99%) of the development of a malignant tumor on the mucous membrane of the cervix are directly associated with infection of some types of CHD in the female genitalia. These types of human papilloma virus are able to change cells of the surface layer of the cervical epithelium, transforming them from ordinary healthy to precancerous. Such changes in the absence of timely treatment may well go into the form of malignant tumors. This type of cancer takes 2nd place in the list of all known types of cancer that occur in the female body.
A human papillomavirus vaccine will help prevent it.
Condylomas
Genital warts (warts) appear when genital infections are infected with certain types of HPV. Condylomas, as a rule, arise in the form of growths of flesh-colored and irregular shape. They are found inside or outside the surfaces of the genitals in both the male and female population. Genital warts tend to cause itching, pain, discomfort, and sometimes even bleeding. There were times when, after their removal, they reappeared after some time. That's the danger of human papillomavirus.
The human papilloma virus can be infected by household or airborne droplets from person to person, but first of all, infection occurs through sexual contact. Both men and women of any race and age are involved in the risk of infection, participating in various kinds of sexual behaviors during which genital contact is made. Most people who become infected with the human papillomavirus do not have any symptoms and signs of infection, and therefore they can completely inadvertently infect other people with the virus. Everyone should know the ways of transmission of the human papillomavirus.
The risk of infection with HPV is most affected by people aged 16 to 20 years. This infection can sometimes be cured spontaneously, but in the chronic course of the disease, it can contribute to the development of a precancerous condition, and later (after 20-30 years) go into cancer.
So far, doctors and scientists have not found 100% effective and practically proven methods of treating the virus caused by the infection in question.
But there is a vaccine against human papillomavirus. Let's consider it in more detail.
Vaccination options
In the world today, two types of vaccines are licensed for the prevention of pathologies that are caused by HPV infection. This is Cervarix and the Gardasil vaccine.
They contain capsid proteins that self-assemble in the form of virus-like particles. Such particles do not contain any genetic viral materials and therefore are not able to cause infection.
Both vaccines protect against HPV of the sixteenth and eighteenth species, which are the cause of about 70% of cases of malignant neoplasm of the cervix recorded in the world. In addition, the Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV viruses of the sixth and eleventh types, which can cause mild cervical pathologies and most anogenital warts.
Experience with HPV vaccines
To date, the experience of using a vaccine to protect against infectious diseases caused by HPV is practiced in most developed countries. And in some foreign countries, these vaccines are even included in national immunization programs. So, for example, in the USA such vaccination is carried out among absolutely all girls aged 11-13 years, in Germany - aged 13-16 years, in France - at the age of 15, and in Austria - from 10 to 18 years.
The experience of using these vaccinations all over the world over many years proves their high effectiveness for prevention and complete safety.
Who is the HPV vaccine for?
Today, vaccines for protection against HPV are used mainly among teenage girls and young women.
"Gardasil" is allowed for girls and boys aged 9 to 17 years and young women aged 18-26 years. Cervarix is currently only permitted to girls and young women aged 10 to 25 years.
The age for vaccination against human papillomavirus should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Despite the undeniable effectiveness of these vaccines, research is still ongoing in the world on their use to protect against HPV in other age groups. Over time, this will cause an increase in age for the use of these vaccines.
Since 2009, vaccination against diseases caused by HPV has been included in the preventive vaccination calendar in Moscow. In addition, vaccination is done absolutely free in the clinic for teenage girls 12-13 years old.
HPV vaccination concept
The standard course of vaccination involves three vaccinations:
- The first time Gardasil is administered on any day selected for convenience. Subsequent vaccination is done 2 months after the first time the vaccine is administered. And the final vaccine that protects against HPV is given 6 months after the first vaccination.
- The vaccine "Cervarix" is done according to the same scheme, but with the difference only that the second is administered a month after the first time.
The vaccine against diseases caused by human papillomavirus is administered for all age groups in the form of injections intramuscularly at a dose of 0.5 ml.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use of Cervarix.
Contraindications for HPV vaccination
Before you get a vaccine, you need to consult an immunologist and a family doctor. And you should also take tests to identify the human papillomavirus in the body, in order to be sure that at the time of planning the vaccination, a person does not have diseases caused by this infection. Vaccination can only be prescribed by a doctor!
If suddenly a person is still infected with the human papillomavirus at the time of vaccination, but has a mild course of the disease, then it can still be vaccinated. And if the disease is already running and long-lasting, then the vaccine can not be done until complete recovery by the use of antiviral and immune-enhancing drugs. Only after complete recovery can vaccination be given. Here is what else is reported in the instructions for use of Cervarix:
- The vaccine is contraindicated in people who may experience allergic reactions to any of the components of the vaccine. If a person is prone to allergic reactions, then he needs to inform the therapist about this before taking the vaccine. If suddenly an allergic reaction occurs after the first injection of the vaccine, then further vaccinations are strictly contraindicated.
- Vaccination should not be carried out if at its time a person has any infectious diseases in the acute stage or pathology of organs. But contraindications to vaccination are not acute respiratory infections.
- If a woman is prone to anaphylactic reactions, then she definitely needs to notify her doctor about this before the introduction of preventive vaccines.
Vaccination during pregnancy
During pregnancy, vaccination against human papillomavirus is strictly contraindicated due to the lack of special studies of the effect of vaccination on women during this period. Although studies on vaccination against HPV in animals have not shown a negative effect on offspring, pregnant women are still not recommended to vaccinate.
As for the vaccination of women during lactation, then the opinions of experts differ. From an official point of view, breastfeeding is not considered a contraindication for the HPV vaccine, but there are those doctors who still do not recommend this because a woman vaccinated during lactation will have to stop feeding for several days.
Vaccination against human papillomavirus diseases can be combined with hepatitis B vaccine. No studies have yet been conducted for other vaccine combinations.
The price of Gardasil will be presented below.
Side effects
As a rule, after vaccination with Cervarix or Gardasil, patients did not experience complications. Like any vaccine, an HPV vaccine can cause anaphylactic and allergic reactions in some cases. Cases of overdose have not been recorded.
As during other vaccinations, after a vaccination that protects against HPV, the patient may sometimes experience minor reactions. Redness and pain may occur at the injection site. There have been cases accompanied by general malaise after the introduction of the vaccine.
Those already vaccinated may experience severe headache, dizziness, apathy, and a feeling of tiredness.
Human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy
Protective antibodies after a complete course of vaccination against HPV are found in more than 99% of vaccinees. As a result of large-scale studies and observations within 2-5 years after vaccination, almost 100% protection against cervical conditions preceding cancer was revealed. In 95-99% of cases, studies showed protection against anogenital warts.
What is the cost of vaccination and where can it be done?
Due to the relatively high cost, the HPV vaccine is not included in the vaccination schedule. Usually the vaccination course is six months, and if for any reason the patient missed the next injection, then as soon as possible, the vaccine is administered immediately. The vaccination course is considered completed if the drug was fully administered during the year. So, what is the price of Gardasil?
In Moscow and its region, the price of a full course of vaccination against human papillomavirus is 13-15 thousand rubles, depending on the location of the procedure and the vaccine manufacturer. It's quite expensive, but the result is worth it.
It is important to remember that the vaccines against human papilloma virus in question are suitable for prevention, but in no case for their treatment. Also, these vaccines cannot protect against diseases caused by non-human papillomavirus.