HPV Vaccine: Learn about its unknown Facts

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the major causes of cervical cancers. The HPV infection can be sexually transmitted or contracted through skin-to-skin contact. Controlling the occurrence of HPV through routine and widespread immunisation with the HPV vaccine is one effective way of reducing the development of cervical cancer in most women.

Below, we provide information concerning the HPV vaccine; its uses and its side effects. You can visit us if you need to learn more about our HPV vaccination service and where to get HPV vaccine.

What does the HPV vaccine do?

Different strains of HPV can be sexually contracted by an infected person. These strains of HPV are the common cause of cervical cancer in women.

A common HPV vaccine is Gardasil 9. The vaccine is approved for use for both girls and boys and prevents exposure to the strains of HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer. If the HPV vaccine is administered to a girl or woman before they become exposed to the virus, the occurrence of cervical cancer will be significantly minimised. The vaccine also hampers the HPV types that cause vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and genital warts and anal cancer in both men and women.

Men are at no risk of having cervical cancer. But by having boys vaccinated against the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer, you also protect girls from contracting the virus through sex. Some other HPV types are notable for causing cancers of the mouth and throat. An HPV vaccination service ensures you or your spouse or children are not exposed to strains of this virus. Make an appointment with our clinic in London today if you need a private HPV vaccine.

Who needs the HPV vaccine, and when should it be given?

The HPV vaccine is approved for both girls and boys, and it should be administered before they are exposed to the HPV virus, at the recommended ages of 11 or 12. The vaccine can also be given earlier, at age 9 even. Waiting until you become infected with the virus before getting a shot might cause the vaccine to lose a part of its effectiveness, or it could cause it to fail to work entirely. Response to the vaccine weakens as a person gets older, so we recommend you schedule an HPV vaccination service as early as possible.

What is the recommended dose for the HPV vaccine?

Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for girls and boy aged 11 and 12. The doses should be given no less than six months apart. The two-dose schedule also is advised for younger children aged 9 and 10, and older teenagers aged 13 and 14. For teenagers aged 15 and above, and younger adults below 26, two doses are insufficient, and a third dose of the vaccine has to be given for optimal effectiveness. Catch-up HPV vaccinations can be given to all people above age 26 who are yet to be properly vaccinated.

Who should not get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women.
People who are ill either moderately or severely should not be given the vaccine.
If you’ve experienced a severe allergic reaction to a previous does of the vaccine, inform your nearest private gp uk at once, so you are not given a second dose.

Don’t know where to get an HPV vaccine in London? Visit our clinic today for all enquiries concerning the HPV vaccine and the HPV virus.

Can you benefit from the HPV vaccine if you're already sexually active?

If you find out that you have already contracted a strain of HPV, you should still get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine will ensure you are protected from other strains of the virus that you are not exposed to. The vaccine though won’t help you treat any existing HPV infection; it will only keep you protected from those HPV types you are yet to become infected with.

What are the health risks or side effects of the HPV vaccine?

All effects from the vaccine are not severe, or life-threatening; they include:

Soreness, swelling or redness at the site where the injection was administered.
Dizziness or fainting. To curb the risk of fainting and prevent you from injuring yourself, it is recommended that you remain seated for no less than 15 minutes after taking the injection
Headaches
Nausea,
Vomiting,
Feelings of fatigue or weakness
Joint and muscle pains

For counsel and recommendations based on the above signs and symptoms, and for HPV vaccination services in London, you can contact our expert health care providers.

Is the HPV vaccine a requirement for school enrollment?

The childhood vaccines schedule lists the HPV vaccine as one of the vaccines to be routinely administered to children. The requirement for school enrollment varies between districts and regions, and so the HPV vaccine might be a compulsory requirement for some, and only optional for others.

Is a Pap test needed for women who have received the HPV vaccine?

Yes, a Pap test is still necessary for women who have received a private HPV vaccine. The vaccine keeps you from being exposed to certain strains of cervical cancer-causing HPV virus, but it does not, and should not replace a Pap test screening for cervical cancer. Regular Pap tests are recommended for all women starting from age 21 and are an important part of preventive health care for all women.

What can be done to get protected from cervical cancer if you're not in the recommended vaccine age group?

HPV types that lead to the growth of cervical cancer are spread easily through sexual contact — whether oral, vaginal or anal. If you are not in the recommended vaccine age group, you can take the following preventive measures:

Ensure you use a condom when having sex
Quit smoking, as this increases the risk of cervical cancer.
Starting from age 21, schedule regular Pap tests with your health care provider to help you detect and seek treatment for cervical cancer in its earliest stages. Early symptoms of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding after sex, and between periods or after menopause, feeling of pain in your pelvis, or during sex.

Getting the HPV vaccine will keep you protected from exposure to the HPV virus. Early vaccination is recommended, so visit reach out to us today to schedule an appointment for a private HPV vaccine in London.