HPV vaccine - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

Marwa80 · 06-30-2009, 03:33 AM

I was infected with HPV for almost 2 years now and i havent been paying attention to my health.
Now i stopped smoking 4 monthes ago and i'm going through pap tests which showed severe infection.
my doctor wants me to start the cervical cancer vaccine but i dont know if this is useful in my case and age (29).
please let me know if getting this vaccine is helpful to prevent cervical cancer although im already infected with HPV?

thank you

Pickle Eyes · 06-30-2009, 07:37 AM

Marwa, at this point, there is no way to know for certain.

There are over 100 strains of HPV. More than 30 strains affect the genitals (vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, anus/rectum, mouth/throat. Of those 30, there are low risk and high risk strains.

The vaccine offers protection (in someone who has had no exposure to HPV) against 2 low risk strains which cause about 80% of genital warts. It also protects against 2 strains of high risk HPV which cause about 70% of cervical cancer.

If you haven't read up on HPV, you might go to the website for the Center for Disease Control (USA). I believe it has information about the vaccine, too.

I think this is a time when you need to learn all you can, then make the best decision for you.

As a side note, in the USA, the vaccine is only approved for use on women upto age 26, I believe.