Human Papilloma Virus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a group of highly contagious viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body like the cervix, anus, mouth and throat and is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

There are more than 100 types of HPV and around 30 types of HPV infection can affect the genital area. HPV is spread during sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. Infection with some types of genital HPV can cause genital warts or abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells within the cervix which can lead to cervical cancer.

Many people with HPV don't develop any symptoms but can still infect others through sexual contact. There's no cure for the virus. Treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms. A vaccine that prevents the HPV strains most likely to cause cervical cancer is recommended for females.

Who should get vaccinated:

•  Girls and boys between the age of 9 and 14.
•  Women who have not been vaccinated. Regular Pap smear (Liquid Based Cytology) still required for proper protection.

It protects against:

• Cervical cancer

Special notes

• Preteens <15 years of age at the time of first dose: a 2 dose schedule (0 and 6 months) is recommended.
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• Females >15 years of age at the time of first dose: a 3 dose schedule (0, 2 and 6 months) is recommended.