HPV – Fighting the vicious virus with a vaccine!

Dr. Gracia Hamadeh - DQMC

What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?

• A virus that can cause skin warts, genital warts, and some forms of cancer.
• HPV is transmitted between humans by contact with genital fluids or genital-to-genital contact, hence through all forms of sexual activity.

What are the signs and risks of infection with HPV?

• Genital warts occur with burning, bleeding, itching, and discomfort.
• Cancers are common as mouth cancers, vaginal cancers, anal cancers, and penile cancers.

Incidence of HPV cancers

• In Saudi Arabia, it is estimated that 358 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 179 women die from the disease.?

• In the United States, 36,500 people (including women and men) are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer caused by HPV infection.

How to detect HPV? And for how long does it last?

• The only method is a PCR test of a cervical swab ( pap smear ). Hence the patient should be sexually active.
• HPV infection does not present with symptoms all the time.

HPV Treatment :

• Once infected, the patient ( male or female? )has two years to take action before cancer becomes a high risk.
• Treatment should be directed at the cause. Removing a genital wart by laser, cautery with electricity or freezing, surgery, or topical cream are the preferred treatments.

The best Method of Protection is not Condoms! It is the HPV Vaccine!

• There are 3 types of HPV vaccines. Consult your doctor on what suits you or your children.
• The most common method is a 3-dose series where :

The first and second doses are 4 weeks apart, and the second and third doses are 12 weeks apart.

• HPV vaccination can occur at age 11 or 12 years (or can start at age 9 years) and for everyone through age 26 years
• Adults above the age of 26 can still benefit from vaccination.
• There are no side effects of the vaccine on fertility, PCOS syndromes, or sexuality.

References:

1. https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/SAU_FS.pdf
2. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/schedules-recommendations.html