Can a person who has had sex get the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Tran Thanh Phuoc - Pediatrician - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world today. The most effective way to prevent it is the HPV vaccine.

1. What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that causes human papillomavirus. It is very likely that we will contract the HPV virus in our lifetime without any signs or symptoms.
HPV virus is mainly transmitted through sexual contact: skin-to-skin contact, oral mucosa, oropharynx or contact with the penis, uterus, vagina, anus of an infected person. Kissing or touching your partner's genitals with your mouth can also spread the HPV virus. In addition, HPV virus is also transmitted through other ways such as medical instruments, biopsy staplers, underwear... infected with the virus. HPV can also be transmitted vertically from mother to child during birth and causes multiple papillomatosis in the newborn. Currently, there is no cure for the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer. To date, vaccination is the most effective method for women to actively prevent this disease.

2. HPV vaccine

There is currently no specific treatment for this disease, so the only way to reduce the incidence of this disease is to get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is considered safe and can be highly effective in protecting women from diseases associated with HPV types 16 and 18, the two main types that cause cervical cancer. The characteristics of cancers, if left for a long time, are more difficult to treat, so doctors recommend that girls from the age of 9 get vaccinated to ensure protection before being infected with this virus.
The possibility of infection when not vaccinated against cervical cancer A fact that the HPV virus is very contagious, according to some statistics, up to 20% of cases of HPV infection in the first 4 months of having sex and 50% of cases of HPV infection in the first 2 years of having sex.
HPV virus invades the cervical epithelium, causing cell changes and this process lasts from 10 to 20 years with manifestations ranging from simple inflammatory lesions to intraepithelial neoplasia, cancer. local and invasive. Therefore, early detection by cytology, screening tests is necessary, helping to increase the ability to prevent and treat cervical lesions early in order to reduce the mortality rate of the disease and to research and deploy vaccines. Prevention of Human Papilloma virus in young women.
If you have not been vaccinated, you are most likely to get HPV if you have the following:
Have unprotected sex; Same-sex sexual relations; Having multiple sexual partners; Contact with warts; Have a weakened immune system; Poor nutrition

3. Age and subjects should be vaccinated against HPV

In Vietnam, the HPV vaccine as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer is indicated for women between the ages of 9 and 26, regardless of whether they have ever had sex or not.
Experts recommend that women get vaccinated against cervical cancer as soon as possible. Vaccines are effective for up to 30 years.
Scientists think that boys during puberty may also benefit from HPV vaccination. Now, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), expanding the HPV vaccination program for boys should be considered, after a study found that the number of men with cancer caused by HIV infection should be considered. HPV virus will outnumber women, and HPV infection can increase the risk of throat cancer, mouth cancer, tongue cancer in men as well as cancer of the male genital tract (anus, penis...) .
Currently, in Vietnam, there are 2 widely used HPV vaccines:
Cervarix (Belgium): The vaccine contains 2 types of HPV 16-18 that cause cervical cancer. Gardasil (USA): The vaccine contains 2 types of HPV 16-18 that cause cancer and 2 types of HPV 6-11 that cause other diseases such as warts and genital warts.

4.Should I get the HPV vaccine if I'm sexually active?

HPV protection is best when people are vaccinated before becoming sexually active. However, the vaccine should still be given even if they are sexually active. This is because the person has not been exposed to all the viruses in the vaccine. The cervical cancer vaccine is still effective when given to people who have had sex, even if they have been infected with the HPV virus. Because in fact, the HPV virus is very easy to re-infect – that is, after the body eliminates the virus, it is still possible to infect them again. The body's natural immunity is not enough to prevent reinfection, but vaccines can. Besides, there are many different types of HPV. Even if you have been infected with one type of HPV before, you should still get vaccinated to protect against other types of HPV
Can you get vaccinated if you've been infected with HPV? The cervical cancer vaccine is still effective when given to people who have had sex, even if they have been infected with the HPV virus. Because in fact, the HPV virus is very easy to re-infect – that is, after the body eliminates the virus, it is still possible to infect them again.
Besides, there are many different types of HPV. Even if you have been infected with one type of HPV in the past, you should still get vaccinated to protect against infection with other types of HPV.
Can I get the HPV vaccine if I have genital warts? Genital warts are warts that appear on the genitals. They can be a small nodule or shaped like a cauliflower. In many cases, warts can be very small and barely visible. Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus can cause genital warts as well as cervical cancer.
Vaccination does not have the same effect as specific drugs in the treatment of genital warts, genital warts, cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers. Therefore, if the patient has had genital warts, the patient should see a dermatologist, do an HPV PCR test; If you are not already infected with these types, you can be vaccinated.
In case the patient has been diagnosed with genital warts, and is being treated for genital warts according to the doctor's prescription, vaccination can be given to prevent recurrence and support the treatment of genital warts according to the doctor's prescription. instructions of doctors.
Side effects of the HPV vaccine Many people can get the vaccine without any serious side effects. However, you may experience mild to moderate side effects after vaccination such as:
Injection site reaction, red halo, pain or swelling; Mild fever; Hives; Headache; Tired; Muscle pain; Athritis; Nausea and vomiting; Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain, diarrhea; Hypersensitivity... If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor.
The system of Immunization Centers for Children and Adults at Vinmec International General Hospital has a full range of vaccines for children and adults. Vaccines are of clear origin, imported genuine from reputable domestic and foreign manufacturers, vaccines are preserved in GSP cold storage system in accordance with international standards, helping to ensure preservation Vaccines are administered at a standard temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius.
Administering the cervical cancer vaccine (HPV) at Vinmec hospital, customers will not have to worry about the vaccine being reduced effectiveness due to the process. Immunization is not safe, the vaccine is not of good quality or the vaccination schedule is forgotten.
Customers experience high-class service quality. Customers are examined and prescribed the right type of vaccine in accordance with the customer's personal characteristics such as age, health status... Customers are continuously and closely monitored after vaccination to avoid and handle complications can occur quickly.

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