HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV)Of >100 types of HPV, about 40 are sexually acquired and can infect the genital tract. Genital HPV infections are often asymptomatic, resolving without causing disease. Some can cause genital warts or cervical cancer. HPV vaccination was introduced in 2008 for girls aged 12 – 13 years. If offers protection against cervical cancer and genital warts, as well as other premalignant genital lesions (cervical, vulvar and vaginal). Ideally, two doses should be given 12 months apart (minimum 6 months, maximum 24 months). Girls who have not had their first dose of vaccine by the age of 15 should continue to be offered the 3-dose schedule. As of September 2019, the HPV vaccine has also been offered to boys aged 11–13, in a bid to prevent a range of cancer associated with HPV infection in boys, including head and neck cancer, anal cancer and penile cancer, and to improve herd immunity in the general population. Anogenital warts are not always visible but still transmit virus. Symptoms include:
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HPV vaccine The national NHS HPV vaccination programme uses Gardasil 9, which protects against 9 types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Types 16 and 18 cause more than 70% of cervical cancers in the UK. (Types 6 and 11 are associated with genital warts). Since the programme was first introduced, prevalence of HPV16/18 has decreased from 16-17% to 1.6%. See also Cervical cancer Practice Nurse featured articles Focus on women's health: Best practice in cervical screening Jenny Greenfield The impact of Human Papilloma Virus on cervical screening Val McMunn |
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