What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can cause genital warts and six different types of cancer: cervical, vaginal, penile, anal, vulvar, and throat cancer.

There are a few ways you can get HPV. You can get it through any sexual activity or close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus, even if they don’t know it or show any signs. This is true of all sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhea and syphilis. 

Any STI can affect anyone. While HPV can go away on its own within two years without health problems, there is no way to know who will later develop cancer or other health problems from HPV. 

Fortunately, there is a solution to help protect people from getting HPV and its outcomes—the HPV vaccine.

When should my child receive this vaccine?

Kids usually get the HPV vaccine when they’re 9-12 years old. The earlier the better. The vaccine comes in two shots. They get the second shot 6 to 12 months after the first one.

This vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines such as the meningitis vaccine, Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), and others. Be sure to consult with your doctor and book an appointment accordingly to get these vaccines!

Children who start the HPV vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three doses, given over 6 months. 

Doctors say it’s best to get the vaccine before you turn 26 because it’s less effective in adults who might have already been exposed to HPV. 

Benefits of the HPV Vaccine

Since people started getting the HPV vaccine in the United States, HPV infections and cervical precancers have gone way down:

• Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause cancer and warts have dropped 88 percent.
• Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause cancer and warts have dropped 81 percent.
• The number of cervical precancers caused by HPV has dropped by 40 percent in vaccinated women.

The possibility of women who have received documented HPV vaccine not needing pap smears has been actively discussed.

Some people worry that the HPV vaccine can make you unable to have kids. Since 2006 when the vaccine was first introduced, it has been heavily studied and monitored with studies concluding that there is no current evidence to support that claim. 

Studies have also shown that straight men are less likely to get this vaccine, but if you know of actor Michael Douglas, he was diagnosed with throat cancer due to HPV. So, be sure to get your kids vaccinated since anyone can get cancer from HPV!

Early protection works best. It’s important to get the HPV vaccine early because it helps prevent HPV-related cancers, so it is best to get them as soon as your child is of age! It protects your child long before they ever have contact with the virus.