Episode 182: HPV Vax
Future Dr. Zuaiter and Dr. Arreaza briefly discuss HPV infection but pocus on the prevention of the infection with the vaccine. Dr. Arreaza mentions that HPV vaccine is also recommended by ASCCP to medical professionals.
Written by Amanda Zuaiter, MS4, Ross University School of Medicine. Edits and comments by Hector Arreaza, MD.
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Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer affecting women globally. Annually, there are over 600,00 new cases and more than 300,000 deaths. The leading cause of cervical cancer is HPV. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a prevalent virus that is spread through close skin-to-skin contact, mainly by sexual intercourse. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States.
The term STI and STD are used indistinctively, but some people make a difference, such as Dr. Cornelius Reitmeijer. STI refers to sexually transmitted infection, which can be asymptomatic, and STD stands for sexually transmitted disease, which are the signs and symptoms caused by the multiplication of the infectious agent and disruption of bodily functions. STI is the preferred term, as recommended by experts during the last few years.
Low risk vs High risk HPV.
There are over 200 strains of HPV which fall into two categories: low risk and high risk. The low-risk types, HPV 6 and 11, cause warts around the genitals, anus, mouth or throat. The high-risk types, HPV 16 and 18, are linked to cervical, vaginal, anal, and other cancers. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is the primary cause of cervical cancer, accounting for 70% of cervical cancer cases. While often asymptomatic, persistent HPV infections can develop into papular lesions which can cause bleeding and pain or cause sore throat and hoarseness if warts develop in the throat.
Not all warts will turn into cancer, but the risk of a wart turning into cancer is higher than normal skin or mucosa that has not been infected by HPV.
Even though cervical cancer is the most well-known condition linked to HPV, it’s important to note that HPV isn’t just a women’s health issue. It can also cause cancers in men, such as throat, penile and anal cancers. Men, however, are not screened for HPV if they have no signs or symptoms of infection.
HPV Prevention:
- General measures that can be taken are maintaining a healthy immune system by exercising regularly and a balanced diet and quitting smoking.
- Male circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of penile cancer in men and their sexual partners may have a lower risk of cervical cancer.
- Screening: Women should undergo regular pap smears with HPV screening. Pap smear screening begins at the age of 21 and is recommended every 3 years. From ages 30-65, co-testing should be done every 5 years, according to the guidelines by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Also, HPV test self-collection is now available in the US since May 2024, and it is useful especially in rural areas.
- The most effective ways to prevent the transmission of HPV is to practice safe sex, using condoms, and getting vaccinated.
HPV vaccine.
For medical providers: It was announced only to ASCP (American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology) members in the middle of the pandemic. On February 19, 2020, ASCCP recommended HPV vaccination for clinicians routinely exposed to the virus.
This recommendation encompasses the complete health care team, including but not limited to, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, residents, and fellows, as well as office and operating room staff in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, gynecologic oncology, and dermatology.
Let’s remember that in 2018, the FDA a supplemental application for Gardasil 9 to include persons aged 27 to 45 years old. The ASCCP letter states “While there is limited data on occupational HPV exposure, ASCCP, as well as other medical societies, recommend that members actively protect themselves against the risks” among medical providers.
For patients: The vaccine is given to prevent the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer and other health problems. It works by training the immune system to recognize and fight HPV before an infection can take hold.
Gardasil-9® is the brand name that is offered in the US. The 9 means it targets 9 strains of the virus (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58). It’s important to note that the vaccine is preventative, and it is not considered a treatment. This means it’s most effective when given BEFORE any exposure to HPV, ideally during adolescence. The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls ages 11-12 but can be started as early as the age of 9.
We need to be prepared to manage vaccine hesitancy because some parents may be concerned when you explain the vaccine to them. A study done in Scotland found that there were NO cases of invasive cervical cancer in adults who received any doses of the HPV vaccine at 12 to 13 years of age. To get to that conclusion, they reviewed the cancer data of 447,845 women who were born between 1988 and 1996. The data demonstrated that the HPV vaccine prevents invasive cervical cancer, especially when given between 12 to 13 years of age. When the vaccine is given later in life, it tends to be less effective. Amanda
How is HPV vaccine given?
The vaccine schedule is as follows:
-For ages 9-14, two shots are given with the second dose 6-12 months after the first.
-For those ages 15-26, three shots are given. After the first shot, the second is given after 1-2 months, and the third shot 6 months after the first. This is the same schedule for immunocompromised people regardless of their age.
-People over the age of 26 can still receive the vaccine, as the FDA has approved the vaccine for individuals up to the age of 45. With that being said, those over the age of 26 may not fully benefit from the vaccine due to the fact they may have already been exposed to HPV. Still, vaccination can provide protection against other strains of the virus.
Other HPV Vaccine considerations:
Is HPV vaccine effective?
-Studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is nearly 100% effective at preventing cervical pre-cancers caused by HPV 16 and 18.
Are boosters needed?
-The vaccine provides protection for at least 10 years and boosters are not required. The vaccine is recommended for boys too, as they are also at risk for HPV causing cancers, and administration of the vaccine helps to reduce the spread of the virus. It is safe to administer the HPV vaccine with all other age-appropriate vaccinations.
What if my patient misses a dose?
-If a dose is missed, it can be resumed at any time without restarting the series. There are no known severe side effects or reactions to the vaccine. The vaccine can be given even if the person has already been exposed to HPV as it can protect against the other types of HPV.
Conclusion: HPV is a common cause of cervical cancer, and the benefits of the HPV vaccine are profound. Countries with high vaccination rates have already seen significant drops in HPV infections, genital warts, and cervical pre-cancers. Vaccination protects individuals and helps achieve herd immunity, benefiting entire communities.
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References:
- Sabour, Jennifer, “The Difference Between STD and STI,” Verywell Health, August 22, 2024, https://www.verywellhealth.com/std-vs-sti-5214421.
- ASCCP Letter, February 19, 2020, https://www.asccp.org/hpv-vaccination
- Barry HC. Scottish Screening: No Cases of Invasive Cervical Cancer in Women Who Received At least One Dose of Bivalent HPV Vaccine at 12 or 13 Years of Age. Am Fam Physician. 2024 Aug;110(2):201-202. PMID: 39172683. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39172683/
- World Health Organization. “Cervical Cancer,” March 5, 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
- ACOG, “Cervical Cancer Screening FAQ,” www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cervical-cancer-screening. Accessed January 9, 2025.
- ACOG, “HPV Vaccination FAQ,” www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hpv-vaccination. Accessed January 9, 2025.
- Cox, J. Thomas and Joel M Palefsky, UpToDate, www.uptodate.com/contents/human-papillomavirus-vaccination, accessed January 9, 2025.
- National Cancer Institute. “HPV and Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, 18 Oct. 2023, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer .
- Theme song, Works All the Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.
