FAQs on HPV Vaccine
HPV – Human PapillomaVirus, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections that can spread through sexual intercourse or oral sex. This virus can pass from an infected individual to healthy person via genitals or throat and cause infection.
Like many viruses, there are several types of strains (around 40) of these HPVs. Depending on the strain and your body’s response, this virus can cause any of the following diseases:
- Genital Warts
- Cervical Cancer
- Less frequently, it can also cause Vulva, Vaginal, Penis, Anus, Head and Neck cancers.
In this article, we will be answering few of the important questions that you must be aware about HPV Vaccine.
- How many types of HPV vaccines are available?
- Should you get HPV Vaccine? If yes, what is the best age?
- Is this just one shot or is there a course to be followed?
- If you already have this infection in your body, does vaccination help?
- Who should not go for HPV vaccination?
- What are the side effects of HPV vaccination?
- Will you get HPV infection from the vaccine?
How many types of HPV Vaccinations are available?
There are 2 types of HPV Vaccinations available:
- Gardasil
- Gardasil 9
These vaccines protect against Cervical, Vaginal, Penile, Anal Cancers and Genital Warts. If your doctor advises you to go with either one, you must complete the course with the same vaccination. That means, if you start with Gardasil, you should not take Gardasil 9 during the course of this vaccine.
Should you get HPV Vaccine? If yes, what is the best age?
Gardasil prevents HPV-16 and HPV-18 which is responsible for cervical cancers in most cases. This vaccine also provides immunity against HPV-6, HPV-11 virus that cause genital warts. Whereas Gardasil 9, protects you from 5 more strains of virus apart from the above mentioned 4.
The best time to get vaccinated is around 12 years of age when a person becomes sexually active. These vaccines can be had before the age of 26. Gardasil 9 can be given to men or women until they are 45 years old.
Why 26?
Gardasil is not recommended for people above 26 years age because, there aren’t enough studies done regarding the effects of this vaccine above that age group. However, Gardasil 9 can be opted for people between 26 and 45.
Is this just one shot or is there a course to be followed?
There are 3 doses of vaccine that should be administered in 6 months period. Once you get the first dose, you can have the second after a month or 2. But the last dose should be taken 6 months after the first shot.
If you already have this infection in your body, does vaccination help?
The answer to this question is both Yes and No.
Yes, this vaccine will help you prevent from some diseases even if you are already infected. As said, there are several strains of HPV. The vaccine that is administered cannot provide you with immunity to the strain that has already infected you. However, it can provide immunity to you for rest of the strains. Effectively, though this vaccine may not cure your current problem but can safeguard you from several other diseases caused by different HPV strains. Please inform your doctor if he/she doesn’t know already about your pre-existing condition.
If you already have this infection in your body, does vaccination help?
The answer to this question is both Yes and No.
Yes, this vaccine will help you prevent from some diseases even if you are already infected. As said, there are several strains of HPV. The vaccine that is administered cannot provide you with immunity to the strain that has already infected you. However, it can provide immunity to you for rest of the strains. Effectively, though this vaccine may not cure your current problem but can safeguard you from several other diseases caused by different HPV strains. Please inform your doctor if he/she doesn’t know already about your pre-existing condition.
Who should not go for HPV vaccination?
1. If you are allergic to the components of this vaccine or to baker’s yeast or latex, please inform your doctor. Typically, a test injection may be made and once deemed safe, the full vaccination may be administered, but please make sure you inform your sexologist / urologist
2. You should not get this shot if you are a pregnant. However, once the baby is delivered, you can go for the vaccine but talk to your doctor first.
What are the side effects of HPV vaccination?
Typically only mild side effects should be presented. If you think you have severe side effects, please talk to your doctor immediately. You may experience pain and/or swelling in the area where the vaccine is given. You may also have slight fever, headache and nausea.
Will you get HPV infection from the vaccine?
No. The virus used in HPV Vaccine is not an active one. So, it cannot multiply or reproduce to infect your body. But, your body gets the ability to handle such infection if a similar strain enters in future.
Hy sir,
I am shanu,
From Hyderabad,
My age is 20 and I have phimosis and testicle varicocele
Before the surgery I have zero sperm count
Later I had done both the surgeries
How much time it will take to become normal size of testicle and increase in sperms count
Dear Shanu, the reason for absence of sperm should be know first to tell whether the count will improve or not.
If it was due to varicocele, then, chances of getting good sperm count is less but we need to a semen test for that.
Please see a good sexologist in hyderabad for your semen test. Good luck.
Hi doctor,
I had exposure 90 days over, male,age 28, can i get garasil9 vaccine ? I want to get married . I don’t care about the cost of vaccine does it help me? If already covaxin has been taken does it affect? Does cold, sore throat and any other conditions affect vaccine not to be taken? I m worried if I get hpv after a year or 2
sir i have warts around my neck and one or two in scortum is this caused by hpv
if the hpv vaccine gives cure for it?
Get tested please.