What is HPV Vaccination?

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What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, of which more than 40 are spread through direct sexual contact.
Among these, two HPV types cause genital warts, and about a dozen HPV types can cause certain types of cancer.
More than 95% of cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus.
Transmission:
- It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally.
- It also spreads through skin-to-skin contact.
Once infected, most people do not develop any symptoms, thereby not being aware that they have the virus.
Most of the time, the body can find and clear out HPV. But if the virus stays in the body for a long time, it can cause cancer.
Getting vaccinated against HPV helps prevent cancer in men and women.
HPV Vaccination:
- The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that can protect you from an HPV infection.
- It prevents HPV infections that can progress to cancer or genital warts.
- The HPV vaccination is more efficacious if given between the age group of 9-26 years.
- Once a person gets HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective.
- The HPV vaccine isn’t given during pregnancy.

Q1) What is a Virus?

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. A virus cannot replicate alone; instead, it must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of itself. Often, a virus ends up killing the host cell in the process, causing damage to the host organism. Well-known examples of viruses causing human disease include AIDS, COVID-19, measles and smallpox.

Source: A vaccine that prevents six cancers