Modest Differences In Host
The effects of each covariate also show interesting similarities and differences between types . Having more recent female partners strongly increases risk for all HPV types, emphasizing the importance of heterosexual transmission. The addition of a single female sexual partner raises instantaneous infection risk by 80120% among types compared with the risk in individuals with no recent female partners. The number of male partners, however, has divergent effects. The addition of a single male sexual partner reduces instantaneous risk with HPV16 by 50% but increases the risk of infection with types HPV84 and HPV89 by 20 and 70%, respectively. Most other covariates were significant for only some types, indicating subtle differences between types. Our results are largely consistent with previous findings, with differences likely arising from the greater statistical power of our inference technique .
Inferred effect of host-specific covariates . Colored cells denote statistically significant positive and negative effects.
Past Infection With Hpv Strongly Increases The Risk Of Future Infection With The Same Type
Log estimate of the additional risk d by sexual subclass for each HPV type . Predicted number of unique individuals infected with HPV16 during follow-up across 1,000 simulations under the additional risk model compared with the memoryless model and the data.
To quantify the impact of previous infection, we calculated the effect of previous infection on the total risk of a subsequent homologous infection at t = 0, 1, and 3 y after clearing the previous infection. Even several years after the initial infection is cleared, the additional risk caused by previous infection accounts for more than 90% of the force of infection . Moreover, immediately after infection, the 1-y probability of reinfection with HPV16 is, on average, 20.4-fold higher than the probability of infection in a naive individual. The average increase is 19.1- to 20.5-fold among HPV types. Even 3 y after clearing an infection, the probability of reinfection with HPV16 in the following year remains 13.5-fold higher .
Gardasil 9 And Other Medications Or Treatments
Below is a list of medications and treatments that can interact with Gardasil 9. This list does not contain all medications or treatments that could interact with Gardasil 9.
Before taking Gardasil 9, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any immune-suppressing treatments youre having, and any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Gardasil 9 and immune-suppressing medications or treatments
Getting the Gardasil 9 vaccine while youre taking medications or having treatments that weaken your immune system may make the vaccine not work as well. This is because Gardasil 9 works by stimulating your immune system. That way, if you come into contact with human papillomavirus , your body can fight it off.
If youre taking medications or having treatments that weaken your immune system when you get Gardasil 9, you wont build as much immunity toward HPV. This means the vaccine may not be as effective.
Examples of immune-suppressing medications or treatments include those used to treat cancer, such as:
- radiation therapy
- azathioprine
- etoposide
Corticosteroids, when used in very high doses, are also immune suppressing medications. Examples of corticosteroids include prednisone and methylprednisolone .
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How Can Passing Hpv To A Child Be Prevented
The best way to prevent getting HPV or spreading HPV to a partner or a baby is by getting the HPV vaccine before being infected. The vaccine does not help if a person has already been infected.
The current recommendations from the World Health Organization for the HPV vaccine include routine vaccination of all female children starting at age 913. For more information about the HPV vaccine, contact your health care provider.
If you have HPV and notice that youre developing genital warts or they begin to grow rapidly, let your physician know so they can determine if treatment is necessary.
The risk of passing HPV to a baby is considered low. Studies have shown that the time between the water breaking and delivery may be a critical factor in predicting transmission, so your health care provider will monitor this closely.
What Vaccinated Girls/women Need To Know: Will Girls/women Who Have Been Vaccinated Still Need Cervical Cancer Screening

Yes, vaccinated women will still need regular cervical cancer screening because the vaccine protects against most but not all HPV types that cause cervical cancer. Also, women who got the vaccine after becoming sexually active may not get the full benefit of the vaccine if they had already been exposed to HPV.
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Fact : The Hpv Vaccine Works Best When Given Between Ages 9 And 12
Since vaccines are used to help prevent diseases, children are vaccinated before being exposed to an infection. Most people in the US are exposed to HPV in their teens and early twenties, so its best to get the vaccine before then, between ages 9 and 12. The body also produces the most antibodies to HPV when the vaccine is given in this age range. Teens and young adults age 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who havent gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible. ACS does not recommend HPV vaccination for anyone older than 26 years.
Gardasil 9 For Boys And Men
Gardasil 9 is best known for preventing cervical cancer in females. However, human papillomavirus , the virus that Gardasil protects against, can also affect males. HPV can cause anal cancer as well as genital warts in males or females.
In males, Gardasil 9 is approved to prevent certain types of anal cancer and genital warts that can be caused by HPV.
The Gardasil 9 dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- other risk factors you may have
The following information describes vaccine schedules that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to get Gardasil 9 as your doctor recommends for you. Your doctor will determine the best time to get the vaccine and the best schedule to fit your needs.
Typically, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the vaccine. They will also tell you when to come back for your next dose or doses. Its important to complete the entire vaccine series to get the most protection from it.
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You Can Still Get Hpv Even If You’ve Had The Vaccine But You Should Get The Shot Anyway
When you go to get vaccinated, odds are you’re enduring the quick sting of the needle in order to protect yourself from something much worse. Once you’re done, that vaccine-preventable disease is just one less thing you have to worry about or at least that’s true in most cases. When it comes to human papillomavirus , it’s a bit more complicated.
There are a few different types of HPV vaccines out there, but the most common one in the US is Gardasil. This vaccine is often given in doses to young adolescents around the age of 11 or 12 , and it’s intended to protect against genital warts and cervical cancer, which can be caused by certain strains of HPV. But while Gardasil is highly effective at protecting against these dangerous strains, there are several others that can cause troubling symptoms, even in those who have been vaccinated. Knowing how to recognize these strains of HPV and protect yourself against them is extremely important for your sexual health. That’s why we spoke to ob-gyns to unpack everything you need to know about the HPV vaccine and what it can do.
Questions About How Hpv Vaccine Is Made And Works
Q. How long does it take for someone to be protected after getting the HPV vaccine?
A. It takes about two weeks after the first dose of vaccine for the immune system to generate an immune response. The additional doses make that response stronger, particularly the last one which fortifies the memory response.
Q. If I got the HPV vaccine, do I need to use protection?
A. It is important to understand that the HPV vaccine does not protect against other STDs, such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, nor does it protect against types of HPV to which one was already exposed. For these reasons, using protection is still prudent to consider.
I have had one dose of the HPV vaccine. Will I be protected if I become sexually active?
While you may have some protection after receiving the first dose of HPV vaccine, your best level of protection will occur after you receive all recommended doses.
I did not tell the doctor that I am sexually active before getting the HPV vaccine. Will it still work?
The HPV vaccine will not protect you against types of HPV to which you may have already been exposed however, it will protect you against types to which you were not previously exposed. Since the vaccine protects against nine types of HPV, it is likely that you can still benefit from receiving the vaccine. For this reason, knowing your sexual activity status is not a requirement for deciding whether or not you should get the HPV vaccine.
Will an HPV booster shot ever be required?
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Can Getting The Hpv Vaccine Help If I Already Have Genital Warts
Can vaccination for HPV virus help someone who already has genital warts? Will it help to protect my partner? Mel*
Getting the HVP vaccine is definitely still a good idea for you. That’s because there are different types of HPV some that cause warts, and others that cause cancer. Even if you have already been infected with the type of HPV that causes genital warts, you can still protect yourself against the types that can cause cancer since you may not be infected with those types yet.
If you get vaccinated now, it won’t protect your partner, though. But your partner can be vaccinated too. People of all genders should be vaccinated against HPV to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Even if you and your partner have both been vaccinated, always use condoms for any type of sex . Condoms help prevent the spread of the types of HPV that are not covered by the vaccine. And, of course, condoms also help protect against other sexually transmitted diseases .
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Are There Other Ways To Prevent Hpv
For those who are sexually active, condoms may lower the chances of getting HPV, if used with every sex act, from start to finish. Condoms may also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases . But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condomso condoms may not fully protect against HPV.
People can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner limiting their number of sex partners and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners. But even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. And it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. Thats why the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
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Questions About Hpv Vaccine Safety
I dont want to get the HPV vaccine for my child because I have heard that all of the safety studies were completed by the vaccine manufacturer. Is this true?
Vaccine safety is studied by many, many groups not just those who manufacture vaccines. The FDA reviews all data associated with studies completed by vaccine manufacturers as well as visiting manufacturing sites and continuing to monitor the vaccine as long as it is being made. Additionally, the CDC has systems in place to monitor vaccine safety, including:
- Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System which allows anyone to report side effects, allowing CDC scientists to watch for trends.
- Vaccine Safety Datalink is a collaboration with eight large healthcare organizations from various parts of the United States. Health records are monitored for vaccine receipt and illnesses to study vaccine safety.
- Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project is a national group of vaccine experts from the CDC, seven medical research centers, and other experts who conduct research around specific vaccine safety concerns, provide consultations for individual healthcare providers on specific patients, and review adverse event data. Vaccine manufacturers do not have a role in these studies.
Can the HPV vaccine cause cancer?
No. Because the HPV vaccine is made using only a single protein from each type of the virus, it cant cause HPV infection, and, therefore, it cant cause cervical cancer or other cancers.
Fact : The Hpv Vaccine Is For Boys And Girls

The HPV vaccine is strongly recommended for boys and girls. It can help protect them from infection with the most common types of HPV that can cause cancer when they get older. HPV is so common that almost everyone will come in contact with it at some point in their lives.
Most HPV infection goes away without any health problems. However, there is no way to know when it wont and an infection could lead to cancer. Vaccinating your child against HPV helps protect them.
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What Can I Do To Protect Myself Against Hpv
While the possibility of becoming infected is scary, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your chances of getting HPV. Though it can’t prevent all HPV infections, the vaccine is an important first step. Gardasil will ultimately protect you from many of the most aggressive and harmful strains of HPV but in order to get the best protection possible, you should get all three doses of the vaccine. “Even if get one vaccine and don’t get the other two, they still have some protection, but you get better protection if you complete the full vaccine series,” Dr. Askew said.
Beyond getting vaccinated, it’s important to practice safe sex , and keep an open line of communication with your partner about any exposure they’ve had. Make sure you’re getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, too.
How Safe Is The Hpv Vaccine
The HPV vaccine has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration . The CDC has approved this vaccine as safe and effective. The vaccine was studied in thousands of people around the world, and these studies showed no serious safety concerns. Side effects reported in these studies were mild, including pain where the shot was given, fever, dizziness, and nausea. Vaccine safety continues to be monitored by CDC and the FDA. More than 60 million doses of HPV vaccine have been distributed in the United States as of March 2014.
Fainting, which can occur after any medical procedure, has also been noted after HPV vaccination. Fainting after any vaccination is more common in adolescents. Because fainting can cause falls and injuries, adolescents and adults should be seated or lying down during HPV vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries.
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The Health Risks Of Hpv
HPV causes almost all cervical cancers but is also linked to cancer of the throat, oral cavity, penis, anus, vagina or vulva. More research is needed to define the extent of these linkages.
Anogenital warts, although rarely associated with cancer, are still a significant burden for those affected often leading to physical, emotional and social problems. They can be effectively treated by applying prescribed medication either in a doctor’s office or by you at home. Other medical treatments include cryotherapy , an electric current, or a laser or surgical removal of the warts but these methods do not always eliminate HPV infection. Even with treatment, warts can recur.
HPV does not appear to affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Although considered rare, the baby may be at risk of getting an HPV infection in the throat. A C-section delivery is not routinely recommended, unless there is a significant obstruction or other risks.
How Do I Pay For These Vaccines
The Vaccines for Children program helps families of eligible children who might not otherwise have access to vaccines. The program provides vaccines at no cost to children ages 18 years and younger who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian/Alaska Native. To learn more, see VFC program.
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Fact : The Hpv Vaccine Does Not Contain Harmful Ingredients
The ingredients in the HPV vaccine, like all vaccines, help make sure that it is effective and safe. These ingredients occur naturally in the environment, the human body, and foods. For example, the HPV vaccine contains aluminum like the hepatitis B and Tdap vaccines. Aluminum boosts the bodys immune response to the vaccine. People are exposed to aluminum every day through food, cooking utensils, water, and even breast milk. Aluminum-containing vaccines have been used for decades and have been given safely to more than 3 billion people.
Why Adults Should Get The Hpv Vaccine
HPV infection is extremely common most sexually active people will be infected with HPV at some point in life. HPV infection usually causes no symptoms, but can cause genital warts and anal cancer in both women and men. HPV can also cause throat cancer.
In women, HPV infection can cause cells in the cervix to grow abnormally. In a small fraction of women, these HPV-induced changes will develop into cervical cancer. About 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 4,000 women die from the condition.
The HPV vaccine prevents infection by the HPV types responsible for most cervical cancers. Up until 2017, there were two vaccines available . Today, Gardasil 9 is the only available HPV vaccine in the U.S.
Gardasil 9 prevents infection by the same HPV types as Gardasil, plus HPV-31, HPV-33, HPV-45, HPV-52, and HPV-58. Collectively, these types are implicated in 90% of cervical cancers. In October 2018, the FDA approved Gardasil9 for everyone ages 9 through 45
HPV vaccines are extremely effective at preventing infection by the HPV types they cover. Getting the HPV vaccine reduces a womanâs risk of cervical cancer and precancerous growths substantially. Men cannot develop cervical cancer, but the HPV vaccine may prevent genital warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, and the spread of HPV to sexual partners. Gardasil 9 is approved for males ages 9 through 26.
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