What Is Human Papillomavirus?
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 100 viruses. Certain types of HPV can cause genital warts, which are growths or bumps that appear:
- ভালভা উপর
- যোনি বা মলদ্বারের আশেপাশে
- জরায়ুর উপর
- লিঙ্গ, অন্ডকোষ, কুঁচকি বা উরুতে
Some strains of HPV are linked to cervical cancer. Although it is less common, some strains are linked to cancers of the vulva, anus, throat, or penis.
HPV is easily spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner.
Many people will be exposed to a form of HPV at some point in their lives. Not all will become infected or develop symptoms.
What Is the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine contains virus-like particles that are not infectious. These particles produce antibodies to prevent HPV from infecting cells. The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle.
The vaccine Gardasil protects against four types of HPV strains. It may be used to prevent the following conditions:
- In females:
- Cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulvar, and anus
- Precancerous lesions on the genitals
- Genital warts
- In males:
- Anal cancer
- Genital warts
Another vaccine called Cervarix protects against 2 types of HPV strains. It is used to prevent cervical cancer and cervical pre-cancer in women.
কাদের টিকা দেওয়া উচিত এবং কখন?
The vaccine is recommended for girls as a 3-dose series between 11-12 years old. Girls should be vaccinated before their first sexual contact for the vaccine to be most effective. Girls and women aged 13-26 years who did not receive the HPV vaccine when they were younger should still receive the vaccine series.
It is recommended that boys receive 3 doses of Gardasil beginning at age 11-12 years. Boys and men aged 13-21 years who did not receive the HPV vaccine when they were younger should still receive the vaccine series.
Men aged 22-26 years may also be vaccinated. Men in this age group should be vaccinated if they have sex with other men, have HIV infection, or have a weak immune system due to other illnesses or medications.
What Are the Risks Associated With the HPV Vaccine?
Research suggests that the vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects. Like any vaccine, it has the potential to cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction.
Some problems have been associated with the HPV vaccines, like pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site. Other side effects include:
- Gardasil
- মাথাব্যথা
- Mild to moderate fever
- মূর্ছা যাওয়া
- Cervarix
- ক্লান্তি
- মাথাব্যথা
- পেশী ব্যথা
- সংযোগে ব্যথা
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- মূর্ছা যাওয়া
কে টিকা দেওয়া উচিত নয়?
Do not get the vaccine if you:
- Had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast or any other component of the vaccine
- Are a pregnant woman (the effects are still being studied)
- Are moderately or severely ill (wait until you have recovered)
What Other Ways Can HPV Be Prevented Besides Vaccination?
Avoiding physical contact with an infected sexual partner is the only way to completely prevent the spread of an HPV infection. Latex condoms may help reduce the spread of HPV infection and genital warts. However, condoms are not 100% effective because they cannot cover the entire genital area.
Other preventive measures include:
- Sexual abstinence
- Having only one sexual relationship (monogamous)
- Regular check-ups for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Pap smears for women (starting at age 21)
একটি প্রাদুর্ভাবের ঘটনা কি ঘটবে?
According to the CDC, about 6 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported each year. Twenty million people in the US are already infected. HPV vaccines cannot treat infections that already exist. The best way to prevent further spread of the disease is to get the vaccine before becoming infected.