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HPV Questions & Answers
What is Human Papilloma Virus?Human Papilloma virus one of the most common viral infections transmitted most commonly through sexual contacts. There are more than 90 strains or types of HPV but only some have the capability or predilection to infect the genitals. The overwhelming HPV infections are asymptomatic and pass off quickly once the body develops its immunity against the viruses. Understandably, most new infections are in young people in their teens and early twenties when they are most sexually active and non-immune. Although most HPV infections are self limiting, in a significant small minority the HPV infection persists for unknown reasons. It is in this group of individuals that the virus gets a chance to cause pre-cancer of the cervix and other parts of the genital tract. How common is HPV?It is estimated that over 70% of adults have evidence of prior contact of HPV. This does not relate to the type of Human Papilloma Virus. Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person can get HPV. Both men and women can get it – and pass it on to their sex partners- without even realizing it. The Gardasil vaccine (Sanofi Pasteur MSD) has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing infection by Human Papilloma virus in young women. It is now licensed for preventing this infection in young girls and women between the ages 9-26. The Cervarix vaccine (GSK) has been shown to be 100% protective against Human Papilloma Virus types 16 & 18. What is the aim of the Gardasil Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine? HPV vaccine has been developed to help prevent pre-cancer disease of the cervix and ultimately prevent cancer of cervix. Recent figures show that there are over 2000 new cases of cervical cancer in England and many more in the rest of the world. Therefore the Gardasil vaccine is a key tool in fighting this dreaded disease of the cervix and other parts of the genital tract. What is the aim of Cervarix Vaccine? Cervarix aims to prevent 75% of cervical cancer. However, it does not prevent gential wart disease caused by HPV 6 & 11. Who should be vaccinated? Gardasil HPV and Cervarix vaccines have been licensed for vaccination of young girls between the ages of 9-15 and your women up to the ages of 26. The license was issued by the European Union after extensive studies amongst these age groups women. Further studies are ongoing to assess other age groups in young boys and men. Are there any concerns giving this vaccine to girls at such an early age? The ideal time to offer vaccination is before at risk people become sexually active. Studies have shown that men and women are at highest risk when they become sexually active. It is at this stage the vaccine is most beneficial as it will then prevent infection with HPV. Once vaccinated the individual is probably protected for a long time. Can older sexually active women be vaccinated against HPV? Yes, studies have demonstrated that women would as well if they have not been infected already by any of the strains in the Gardasil & Cervarix vaccines. There is no way of telling who is already infected by a cancer causing strain in the HPV group of viruses. Why is the Gardasil & Cervarix Human Papilloma Virus vaccine only recommended for young women only? The basis for the recommendation is that these are the groups that were studied. They were studied first because they are most at risk since they are most likely to have not been exposed to the virus. Therefore these were the age groups likely to benefit the most. However, other groups are now being studied to see how effective and beneficial the HPV vaccine can be. Older people can also be protected. Are there any benefits for vaccinating men? Studies are going on to assess the value of vaccinating boys and men, but there are no results yet. Conceivably, vaccinating boys and men should be beneficial since they must be part of infection chain in both women and other men. HPV infection resulting in warts on the penis and anus are commonplace. How effective is Gardasil & Cervarix vaccines? Several studies involving Gardasil and Cervarix Human Papilloma virus formulations have shown a near 100% protection against infection with the strains that were tested. Moreover, it has been shown that by preventing infection with the cervical cancer causing viruses, the pre-cancer stages of cervix and vulva are also prevented. This goes to show that the HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent cancer of the cervix and vulva and also has the potential to prevent genital warts. Will the Gardasil or Cervarix HPV vaccine help treat any pre-cancer or warts? It is important to remember that although the HPV vaccine is effective in preventing new infection, it does not cure existing Human Papilloma virus infections or any of the diseases caused by these viruses such as genital warts, anal warts, pre-cancer of the vulva, vagina, cervix or anus. Shall I need any follow up after the vaccination? The HPV vaccine is 3 jabs given over a 6 month period and once the course is complete there will be no follow up required. It is important however that you complete the course otherwise there is no guarantee of protection from the vaccine. The science of this HPV vaccination is still growing and it may be that in the future you may be advised to have a booster shot, but this is an issue that is not resolved. Studies show that women are still fully protected more than five years after the vaccination. What are the cancer causing strains and what does Gardasil & Cervarix HPV vaccines protect against? At this moment in time there are about 13 strains of the Human Papilloma Virus group of viruses that cause cervical cancer. There are over 90 strains of HPV but most of them are harmless and infect other parts of the body or other animal species. Gardasil HPV vaccine has 4 of the most common cancer causing HPV strains namely type 6, type 11, type 16 and type 18. Cervarix prevents infection with type 16 & 18 only. It is estimated that these two strains cause 72-75% of cervical cancer cases. Is the Gardasil & Cervarix Human Papilloma Virus vaccines safe? Licensing authorities in Europe and America have scrutinised the results of studies involving over 11,000 women and children aged 9-26. There were no important or serious side effects, except some tenderness on the site of the injection. Providers of the HPV vaccine are encouraged to report any unexpected reaction to the vaccine. What is in the Gardasil HPV vaccine and how does it work? Gardasil Human Papilloma Virus vaccine is made by incorporating only the outer coat of the HPV viruses (types 6, 11, 16, 18) known as the virus like particles. These particles are capable of inducing an immune response very similar to a natural infection of HPV virus. The outer coat particles are not capable of causing infections and inducing cell changes leading to cancer or pre-cancer of the cervix. The immunity thus induced by the outer coat HPV particles prevents the natural infection by a complete virus. Apart from the virus particles, there is a solution of aluminium compound to stabilise the vaccine. There is no mercury or thimerosal found in some other unrelated vaccines. The Cervarix HPV vaccine contains particles capable inducing immunity against strains 16 & 18 only. However it has a carrier molecule that is thought to provide longer lasting immunity. What is the cost of the HPV vaccine? Each injection is £150 pounds. Thus each full course of 3 injections is £450.00 Is this HPV vaccine available on the NHS? No there are no current provisions for this vaccine on the NHS. Will individuals who have been vaccinated still need to have routine smears? It is very important that all women who have had the HPV vaccine continue to have their routine cervical pap smears. As stated earlier, both Gardasil & Cervarix HPV vaccines do not protect against all HPV viruses. Therefore there is still some risk that one could develop high grade pre-cancer cervical disease. Furthermore, at the time of receiving the HPV vaccine, it was not clear whether the individual in question was already infected with any of the 4 strains in the HPV vaccine. If they were already infected, the vaccination will not protect them against progression of the any pre-cancer. Should sexually active women be tested for HPV before they receive the vaccination? The problem is that current HPV testing for cancer causing strains does not identify which type it is. However, if the women tests negative for all strains, then they can justifiably get vaccinated. It is important to remember however that when a woman tests positive, they can still get vaccinated, since there is a chance that they have not been infected by all the strains in the vaccine. Therefore the vaccine would protect the woman against the HPV strain she has not been infected with. Is
HPV related to HIV or Herpes? How can I prevent Cancer of the cervix other than relying on the HPV vaccine? 1. Reduce the number of sexual partners. 2. Attend for your regular cervical smears. 3. General measures. Use condoms 4. Do not smoke and 5. Eat healthily Recommended Schedule for HPV Vaccination: Each individual should have three (3) vaccine injections at month 0, month 2 and 6 month. Each injection is £150.00, making a total of £450 for the full course.
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Centre
for the Prevention of HPV &Treatment of HPV Related Diseases
The
HPV Centre...
Hill Top Medical Centre, Hill Top Road, Oldbury, Warley. West Midlands. B68 9DU Tel
: 0845 201 1636 |
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