## Hidden threat HPV is a group of sexually transmitted viruses from the papillomavirus family. The danger of these viruses is that they may not appear for a long time until symptoms occur. There is still no cure for HPV, so the only way to avoid infection is to get vaccinated beforehand. - There are over 170 different types of HPV. - Many strains of HPV are harmless — they either do not appear at all or are limited to the appearance of warts, genital warts, and papilloma on the skin. - 13 types of HPV can cause cancer. - In 70 percent of cases, cervical cancer is caused by dangerous types of the virus: 16 and 18. *This is important to remember:* vaccination must be done before the moment of possible infection, i.e., before the first sexual contact. ===The HPV vaccine builds immunity, but it is only preventive and does not cure the disease. It will not help to get rid of the existing types of HPV in the body, such as genital warts or cervical dysplasia. Today, HPV vaccination is included in vaccination plans and is administered to girls in schools and children’s clinics. ## What are the types of vaccines? There are currently three types of vaccines: Cervarix, Gardasil, and Gardasil 9 (officially approved by the FDA). Cervarix protects against only the 16 and 18 HPV types. This vaccine is given to girls and young women aged 10–25. The vaccine is administered three times according to the scheme: 0–2–6 months (the second is done 2 months after the first, the third 6 months after the first). Gardasil protects against genital warts and the most oncogenic HPV types: 6, 11, 16, and 18. It is given to girls and women aged 9–45 years as well as boys and men aged 9–26. The vaccine is administered three times according to the scheme: 0–2–6 months. Gardasil 9 is the latest generation vaccine that simultaneously protects against 9 types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Vaccination of girls and boys is recommended starting from 9 years old, but you can get vaccinated up to 45 years of age. Children age 15 and under receive two doses of the vaccine, and older girls and boys receive two doses according to the scheme: 0–2–6 months. This vaccine was developed recently and is not yet available worldwide. You do not need to undergo any special examinations before having an HPV vaccination. It is enough to consult a gynecologist or immunologist. The vaccination injection is done in between muscles into the shoulder. ## Is the HPV vaccine safe? None of the listed vaccines contain viral DNA and therefore do not overload the immune system. The drug consists of fragments of the virus envelope that do not contain the genetic material of the real HPV. The vaccine has a very high safety profile and has practically no contraindications.