What Is HPV and Why Is It a Problem?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can cause cervical cancer as well as genital warts. It can spread through sex and from some types of skin-to skin-contact.
An HPV infection also can cause these other problems:
- It can lead to cancer of the , vagina, vulva, penis, , mouth, and throat.
- New research suggests that HPV may be linked to heart disease in women.
People can get HPV from sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Most people infected with HPV don't know they have it because they don't notice any signs or problems. People do not always get genital warts, but the virus is still in their system and could cause damage. This means that people with HPV can pass the infection to others without knowing it.
Because HPV can cause problems like some kinds of cancer and genital warts, a vaccine is an important step in preventing infection and protecting against the spread of HPV.
That's why doctors recommend that all people get the vaccine starting from age 9 to 11 through age 26.
How Does the HPV Vaccine Work?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for people 9 to 26 years old:
- For ages 9–14, the vaccine is given in 2 shots over a 6- to 12-month period.
- For ages 15–26, it's given in 3 shots over a 6-month period. People with weak immune systems also get 3 shots, including those 9–14 years old.
It works best when people get all their shots on time. If you're under age 26 and you've missed a shot, you can still catch up. Just ask your doctor about the best way to do that.
The vaccine does not protect people against strains of HPV that might have infected them before getting the vaccine. The most effective way to prevent HPV infection is to get vaccinated before having sex for the first time. But even if you have had sex, it's still the best way to protect against strains of the virus that you may not have come in contact with.
The vaccine doesn't protect against all types of HPV. Anyone having sex should get routine checkups at a doctor's office or health clinic. It's important to get Pap smears when a doctor recommends it — for most girls, that's usually around age 21 unless there are signs of a problem before that.
What Are the Side Effects of the HPV Vaccine?
Side effects that people get from the HPV vaccine usually are minor. They may include swelling or pain at the injection site, or feeling faint after getting the vaccine. As with other vaccines, there is a rare chance of an allergic reaction.
A few people have reported health problems after getting the shot. The FDA is monitoring the vaccine closely to make sure these are not caused by the vaccine itself.
Most people have no trouble with the vaccine. You can make fainting less likely by sitting down for 15 minutes after each shot.
How Can I Protect Myself From HPV?
The most important way to protect against HPV infection is by getting the HPV vaccine.
For people who have sex, condoms offer some protection against HPV. Condoms can't completely prevent infections because hard-to-see warts can be outside the area covered by a condom, and the virus can infect people even when a partner doesn't have warts. Also, condoms can break.
The only way to be completely sure about preventing HPV infections and other STDs is not to have sex (abstinence). Spermicidal foams, creams, and jellies aren't proven to protect against HPV or genital warts.
If you have questions about the vaccine or are worried about STDs, talk to your doctor.
Ugonjwa wa HPV Ni Nini na Kwa Nini Ni Tatizo? Virusi vya HPV (Human Papillomavirus) ni virusi vinavyosababisha saratani ya shingo ya tumbo la uzazi na pia viwiko vya uzazi. Inaweza kuenea kupitia ngono na kutokana na aina fulani za kuwasiliana na ngozi. Ugonjwa wa HPV pia unaweza kusababisha matatizo haya mengine: - Inaweza kusababisha kansa ya, vagina, vulva, penis,, mdomo, na koo. Utafiti mpya unaonyesha kwamba HPV inaweza kuhusishwa na ugonjwa wa moyo kwa wanawake. Watu wanaweza kuambukizwa HPV kupitia ngono, kutia ndani ngono ya mkojo, ya mdomo, na ya mdomoni. Watu wengi walioambukizwa HPV hawajui kuwa wana ugonjwa huo kwa sababu hawaoni dalili au matatizo yoyote. Watu hawapati mara zote warts za viungo vya uzazi, lakini virusi bado viko katika mfumo wao na vinaweza kusababisha uharibifu. Hii inamaanisha kuwa watu walio na HPV wanaweza kupitisha maambukizi kwa wengine bila kujua. HPV inaweza kusababisha aina fulani za kansa na viini vya uzazi, kwa hiyo chanjo ni hatua muhimu katika kuzuia maambukizi na kulinda dhidi ya kuenea kwa HPV. Kwa hiyo, madaktari wanapendekeza watu wote wapate chanjo kuanzia umri wa miaka 9 hadi 11. Chanjo ya HPV Inafanyaje Kazi? Chanjo ya HPV inashauriwa kwa watu wa umri wa miaka 9 hadi 26: Kwa umri wa miaka 9-14 chanjo hiyo hutolewa katika risasi mbili kwa kipindi cha miezi 6 hadi 12. Kwa watu wenye umri wa kati ya miaka 15 na 26, dawa hiyo hutolewa kwa vipimo vitatu kwa kipindi cha miezi sita. Watu wenye mfumo dhaifu wa kinga pia hupokea chanjo tatu, ikiwa ni pamoja na wale wenye umri wa miaka 9-14. Inafanya kazi vizuri zaidi wakati watu wanapopata chanjo zao zote kwa wakati. Ikiwa una umri wa chini ya miaka 26 na umekosa risasi, bado unaweza kukamata. Uliza daktari wako juu ya njia bora ya kufanya hivyo. Chanjo hiyo hailindi watu dhidi ya aina za HPV ambazo zinaweza kuwa zimewasumbua kabla ya kupata chanjo. Njia bora ya kuzuia maambukizi ya HPV ni kupata chanjo kabla ya kufanya ngono kwa mara ya kwanza. Hata kama umekuwa na ngono, bado ni njia bora ya kujilinda dhidi ya aina za virusi ambavyo huenda usikuguse. Chanjo hiyo hailindi dhidi ya aina zote za HPV. Mtu yeyote anayefanya ngono anapaswa kuchunguzwa mara kwa mara katika ofisi ya daktari au kliniki ya afya. Utafiti wa Pap unafanywa mara tu daktari anapopendekeza, kwa wasichana wengi, ni karibu na umri wa miaka 21, isipokuwa kuna dalili za tatizo kabla ya hapo. Kuna madhara gani ya chanjo ya HPV? Madhara ambayo watu hupata kutokana na chanjo ya HPV kwa kawaida ni madogo. Matokeo yanaweza kuwa uvimbe au maumivu katika eneo la sindano, au hisia ya kuzimia baada ya kupata chanjo. Kama ilivyo na chanjo nyingine, kuna uwezekano mdogo wa athari ya mzio. Watu wachache wameripoti matatizo ya afya baada ya kupigwa chanjo hiyo. FDA inafuatilia chanjo kwa karibu ili kuhakikisha kuwa haya hayasababishwi na chanjo yenyewe. Watu wengi hawana tatizo na chanjo hiyo. Unaweza kupunguza uwezekano wa kuzimia kwa kukaa chini kwa dakika 15 baada ya kila risasi. Ninawezaje Kujilinda dhidi ya HPV? Njia bora ya kujikinga na maambukizi ya HPV ni kupata chanjo ya HPV. Kwa watu wanaofanya ngono, kondomu hutoa ulinzi fulani dhidi ya HPV. Kondomu haziwezi kuzuia maambukizi kabisa kwa sababu warts ngumu kuona inaweza kuwa nje ya eneo kufunikwa na kondomu, na virusi inaweza kuambukiza watu hata wakati mpenzi hana warts. Pia, kondomu zaweza kuvunjika. Njia pekee ya kuwa na uhakika kabisa kuhusu kuzuia maambukizi ya HPV na VIU vingine ni kutokuwa na ngono (kujiepusha). Vipodozi vya dawa ya kuua shahawa, cream, na jelly havijathibitishwa kulinda dhidi ya HPV au viwiko vya uzazi. Ikiwa una maswali kuhusu chanjo au una wasiwasi kuhusu VVU, zungumza na daktari wako.