The human papillomavirus (HPV or HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus. The vaccination schedule is now with a single dose and is the main tool to avoid this agent that is usually essential for causing cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis and oropharyngeal.
Four out of five people will contract this infection at some point in their lives, warned the sexologist Eugenia Bazan Quiroga in a new chapter of Sex Tips by El Doce.
The specialist pointed out that most people do not know it because the infection generally does not produce symptoms. “It is very important to know that the condom reduces the risk of infection but does not provide complete protection because part of the genital area of the skin is left uncovered,” she explained.
“For all this, vaccination is today the best tool we have to avoid contagion and prevent diseases,” the doctor highlighted.
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In Argentina the vaccine is included in the national calendar. It should be worn by 11-year-old girls born after 2000 and 11-year-old boys born since 2006.
In the country it began with three doses, then it was lowered to two doses and now the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a single dose for boys and girls up to 15 years old who do not have any condition and no compromise on their health. immune system.
“After the age of 15 or if there is any comorbidity, illness or compromise of the immune system, people should be vaccinated with 3 doses,” indicated Dr. Bazán Quiroga.
After that age, up to 26 years of age, you can attend any vaccination center with a card and ask if vaccines are available.
– What happens if I want to wear it and I am over 26 years old?
– If you are not included in the national vaccination scheme and you have passed the age of 26, you can get it, but in this case you will have to get it with a medical prescription and buy three doses.
Bazán Quiroga reported that “in Argentina the free and mandatory vaccine is the quadrivalent vaccine that protects against four viral types and currently we have the nine-valent vaccine that protects against nine types of HPV viruses.” He stressed that the vaccine “has demonstrated a highly adequate safety profile.”
The sexologist denied that young people are the most exposed to HPV infection. “It is a highly contagious virus and can affect any sexually active person,” she warned.
“According to the latest research, we are seeing an increase in the prevalence of HPV infection between the ages of 30 and 40 and this type of infection does not decrease the incidence over the years,” he added.
– Why is it important to get vaccinated?
– Because HPV is extremely common and vaccination is the best and only tool we have to reduce the incidence of infections and mortality from cancer associated with this virus.
2024-03-04 23:03:30
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