There are more than 100 varieties of viruses. human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a viral infection that normally causes warts. However, some types of HPV can cause breast cancer. cervix, stillpenis, vagina, vulva and throat.
These infections are often transmitted sexually or through other skin-to-skin contact. Vaccines can help protect against human papillomavirus strains that are more likely to cause genital warts or cancer.
Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician at the Mayo Clinic, advises that if you have preteen children, you should make sure they get the HPV vaccine without delayas the vaccine can prevent your child from getting cancer in the future.
Although going to the doctor’s office can be scary for anyone, especially young people who are about to be vaccinated; the human papilloma virus can be even scarier.
“The alarming thing about this virus is that it can also cause cancer”says Dr. Rajapakse.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and about 85% of people will have this infection at some point in their life.
The vaccine recommended for boys and girls aged 11 to 12 can be given during the annual follow-up visit.
“It is important to vaccinate children before they are exposed to this virus. Once the virus has infected a person, the vaccine can no longer effectively prevent infection caused by that strain of the virus. “
Dr. Rajapakse points this out the vaccine can be given from 9 years to 45 years.
“It is a very effective and safe vaccine; Plus, it’s one of a kind because it’s a vaccine that prevents cancer, ”he adds.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
Yup! The HPV vaccine has an excellent safety record.
The vaccine protects people from the following conditions:
- over 90% of cancers caused by the virus
- types of precancer (abnormal cells that lead to cancer)
- almost all cases of cervical cancer
- nearly 100% of genital warts cases
- a high percentage of other fHPV-related cancers
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