Protect your child from human papillomavirus (HPV)
What is human papillomavirus?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that infects the skin, genital area and lining of the cervix. HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually during sexual activity. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. with about 42 million people currently infected and 13 million new infections each year.
Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear on their own within 1-2 years. However, when the virus does not go away, infection can cause several types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and head and neck cancers. Each year in the U.S., about 36,000 people develop a cancer caused by HPV. In recent years, head and neck cancers have become the most common HPV-related cancer, surpassing cervical cancer.
Why does my child need protection against HPV?
Nearly all adults who are not vaccinated will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. If HPV infection goes unchecked by the immune system, it can lead to genital warts, precancers and cancers. While women can get screened for cervical cancer by having annual pap smears, there is no screening available for HPV-related head and neck cancers. In many cases, by the time most individuals feel a lump on their neck, the cancer has already spread. The HPV vaccine prevents these infections by protecting against HPV-related cancers before they have the chance to develop. Simply put, the HPV vaccine is cancer prevention.
What vaccine protects against HPV?
The HPV vaccine protects against nine types of HPV. Adolescents are recommended to receive an HPV vaccine series starting at 9 years of age.
Is it safe?
Yes, HPV vaccine is safe. Nearly 20 years of monitoring and research, along with more than 135 million doses given in the U.S., show that the HPV vaccine is very safe and highly effective. No serious long-term adverse effects have been linked to the vaccine.
The most common side effects after vaccination include pain, redness or swelling in the arm where the shot was given, fever, dizziness or fainting (which is more common in adolescents after any vaccine), headache or fatigue, nausea or muscle or joint pain. To prevent fainting and related injuries, teens should remain seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes afterward.
Is it effective?
Yes, the HPV vaccine provides safe, effective and lasting protection against HPV infections that most commonly cause cancer. More than 97% of adolescents develop protective antibodies after HPV vaccination. Since the introduction of the vaccine in the U.S., rates of HPV infection, genital warts and cervical pre-cancers have decreased substantially. Infections with the HPV types most commonly associated with HPV-related cancers have decreased 88% in teen girls and 81% in adult women.
The vaccine works best when given before a person is exposed to the virus. Overall, the HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV if all children were vaccinated.