HPV is mostly transmitted through sexual contact. Skin-to-skin contact is essential for the transmission of the HPV virus. It is not possible to transmit HPV through swimming pools, shared toilets and towels. Using a condom during sexual intercourse does not protect against HPV because the condom does not cover the entire sexual organ, so the virus can be transmitted. If infected with the virus, it can cause genital warts and many cancers. Among these, the most common one we encounter is cervical cancer. In fact, almost 80-90% of women encounter the HPV virus, but most clear the virus through the immune system within about a year. If the virus remains in the body for many years without being destroyed, it causes cell deterioration and progresses to cervical cancer. Apart from this, it can cause cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, mouth and pharynx. In men, it also causes cancer of the mouth, pharynx, anus and penis. The most effective way to protect yourself from HPV is to get vaccinated before contracting the virus.
HPV can be applied to anyone between the ages of 9-45. To get the most benefit from the vaccine, it is best to do it before having sexual intercourse. Those who have had sexual intercourse before can still get vaccinated without any testing, but they may experience less benefit. The vaccine does not help eliminate the infected virus, but since there are many types of the virus, it prevents the transmission of other types. There are two types of vaccines in our country. These are double and quadruple vaccines. The dual vaccine contains HPV types 16-18, while the quadruple vaccine contains types 6-11-16-18. While these two vaccines have the same protection against cancer, the double vaccine does not protect against warts, but the quadruple vaccine protects against warts. Therefore, the quadruple vaccine is superior. If the vaccine is administered to the 9-14 age group, 2 doses administered 6 months apart will be sufficient, but if it is administered to 15 years of age and above, the second dose should be administered two months after the first dose, and the third dose should be administered three months after the second dose, meaning three doses in total. Generally, concerns about vaccines are the rare effects related to the nervous system and brain after vaccination. Approximately 60 million doses of HPV vaccine have been administered in the United States, and no such side effects have been encountered in the studies. Slight redness at the application site after vaccination Minor side effects such as fatigue and swelling may occur. Routine cervical cancer screening tests should be continued even if the HPV vaccine has been administered, because there are less common types of viruses that cause cervical cancer other than HAV 16-18. The vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women, but there is no known harm if administered accidentally. Vaccination can be administered to breastfeeding mothers.
The vaccine does not contain genetic material from the virus and does not contain mercury as a preservative.
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