HPV infection is most common in sexually active young adults. It is estimated that 80% of sexually active people get HPV at least once in their lives.
- There are more than 200 known types of human papillomavirus (HPV), but only a small proportion of these are high-risk HPVs that can cause cellular changes or cancer.
- HPV infection is often asymptomatic, which is why many people become infected with HPV without knowing it or it is diagnosed by chance in an HPV test or Pap smear.
- HPV infection has a good tendency to heal, but it should be monitored so that the infection does not persist and progress to cancer.
Low-risk HPVs may cause changes in the skin and mucous membranes such as:
- skin warts
- laryngeal papillomas and
- genital warts (condyloma).
Prolonged infection with high-risk HPV can lead to serious consequences, such as precancerous growth and various cancers. High-risk HPVs are associated primarily with the development of cervical cancer and precancerous conditions of cervix. Other cancers caused by HPV include cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis and anus. Some cancers of the head and neck are also caused by HPV infection.
A high-risk HPV infection in the genital area is almost always asymptomatic and often self-healing. However, in a small number of people infected with HPV, the infection is prolonged, which can lead to the development of cervical cell changes. A small percentage of cervical cell changes progress to precursors for cervical cancer. Without treatment, some of the precursors will eventually develop into cancer.
HPV is transmitted via genital mucosa or skin contact. The most common route of transmission is unprotected intercourse, but HPV infection can also occur without intercourse. HPV is not transmitted from sauna benches, toilet seats or blood stains.
HPV infection can sometimes remain latent for years, so it is usually impossible to trace the time of infection.
HPV infection is detected by an HPV sample taken from the cervix or a Pap smear. A positive HPV test means that the patient is infected with HPV caused by one or more high-risk HPV types. A Pap smear can be used to detect if the HPV infection has caused changes in the cells. For those who do not have a uterus, a sample can be taken from the vagina.
In Finland, all women aged between 30 and 65 are invited to the national cervical cancer screening every five years. In some municipalities, screening begins as early as the age of 25. Currently, it is becoming more common to take a HPV/Pap co-test, where high-risk HPV and Pap smear can be examined from the same sample. Such co-testing has been found to detect precursors of cervical cancer and cervical cancers better than a Pap smear alone. However, HPV infection is still very common in adolescents, which is why Pap smears are still primarily used in screening in people under 30 years of age.
By participating in the national cervical cancer screening programme or otherwise regularly taking a HPV test or Pap smear, HPV infection and possible precancerous precursors can usually be detected and treated in a timely manner.
For the time being, there is no treatment for the HPV infection, but HPV infection often cures itself, especially in young people. The symptoms of approximately one in ten people with genital HPV infection are prolonged and can form precancerous lesions.
If a prolonged HPV infection or cellular changes in the Pap smear are detected, a further examination of the vagina and cervix is usually carried out with a lighted microscopy, or colposcope. Even some of the precancerous lesions resolve spontaneously during follow-up, but prolonged and more severe cellular changes are surgically removed, for example, through the loop electrosurgical excision procedure or with a laser.
Condylomas can be treated at home with various topical preparations available with a prescription or at the doctor's appointment with a laser or by freezing. Condylomas are prone to recur, as treatment does not remove the virus from the body, but only the visible warts.
The best way to protect yourself against the HPV infection and the cellular changes or cancer that it causes is the HPV vaccine, which provides protection against the most common high-risk HPV viruses. The HPV vaccine is most effective if taken before the onset of sexual activity. Thanks to HPV vaccines, fewer people will become ill and die of the serious cancers it causes.
The HPV vaccine may also be useful when taken as an adult and there is no upper age limit for vaccination. If you have already been infected with HPV, the vaccine can protect you against HPV types that you have not yet encountered.
Using a condom reduces the risk of infection with HPV, but it does not completely protect against the infection, as the virus can also be transmitted through the skin of the genital area. Condoms are estimated to prevent about 70% of infections.
Two different HPV vaccines are in use in Finland
Cervarix, a vaccine containing two HPV types, is given free of charge to girls and boys aged 10 to 12 years as part of Finland's national vaccination programme. Vaccination of both sexes provides the best protection against HPV infections and the resulting precursors and cancers. This HPV vaccine does not contain condyloma protection.
Gardasil 9, a prescription medication not included in the vaccination programme, contains nine types of HPV. Of these, seven provide protection against high-risk HPV types and two against low-risk HPV types that cause condyloma. The vaccine is intended for use in children from 9 years of age, adolescents and adults. In principle, there is no upper age limit for vaccination. The vaccine does not contain a live virus, which is why it is also suitable for immunocompromised people.
Gardasil 9 vaccine dose
For 9–14-year-olds, two doses of the vaccine are recommended, the second being administered 5 to 13 months after the first dose.
For people over 15 years of age, three doses of the vaccine are recommended, the second being administered two months after the first vaccination and the third being administered six months after the first vaccine.
If necessary, you can discuss the HPV vaccine with a gynaecologist, general practitioner or paediatrician, for example.
Specialist consulted for the article Tuuli Soini, D.Med.Sc., gynaecologist and obstetrician
Sources:
Papilloomavirus (HPV) ja kondylooma naisella, Terveyskirjasto.fi
HPV-rokote, Terveyskirjasto.fi
Parempaaelamaa.fi
HPV is short for Human Papilloma Virus. There are more than 200 types of HPV. HPV viruses are common and it is estimated that 80% of sexually active people get HPV infection at least once in their lives.
HPV is transmitted via genital mucosa or skin contact, often as a result of unprotected intercourse. HPV infection can also occur without intercourse. HPV is not transmitted from sauna benches, toilet seats or blood stains.
HPV infection can sometimes remain latent for years, so it is usually impossible to trace the time of infection.
HPV infection is usually asymptomatic, which is why many people become infected with HPV without knowing it or it is diagnosed by chance in an HPV test or Pap smear.
Low-risk HPVs can cause benign changes such as:
- skin warts
- laryngeal papillomas and
- genital warts (condyloma).
Prolonged infection with high-risk HPV can lead to serious consequences, such as precancerous growth and various cancers. High-risk HPVs are associated primarily with the development of cervical cancer and precancerous conditions of cervix. Other cancers caused by HPV include cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis and anus. Some cancers of the head and neck are also caused by HPV infection.
HPV infection can remain latent for years, so it is usually impossible to trace the time of infection.
It usually takes more than 10 years for an HPV infection to progress from cellular changes to cervical cancer. With regular screening, any precursor changes can be detected and treated in time before the cancer develops.
The HPV infection often cures itself, especially in young people. The symptoms of approximately one in ten people with genital HPV infection are prolonged and can form precancerous lesions.
HPV infection is detected by an HPV sample taken from the cervix or a Pap smear. A positive HPV test means that the patient is infected with HPV caused by one or more high-risk HPV types. A Pap smear can be used to detect if the HPV infection has caused changes in the cells. For those who do not have a uterus, a sample can be taken from the vagina.
There is no HPV test available for men.
Vaccine
You can protect yourself against the HPV infection and the cellular changes or cancer that it causes with the HPV vaccine, which provides protection against the most common high-risk HPV viruses.
The HPV vaccine is most effective if taken before the onset of sexual activity. The HPV vaccine may also be useful when taken as an adult and there is no upper age limit for vaccination.
In Finland, the HPV vaccine is offered in the national vaccination programme for girls and boys aged 10 to 12 years. Vaccination of both sexes provides the best protection against HPV infections and the resulting precursors and cancers.
Adults can obtain the HPV vaccine with a prescription at their own expense from a pharmacy.
Condom
Using a condom reduces the risk of infection with HPV, but it does not completely protect against the infection, as the virus can also be transmitted through the skin of the genital area. Condoms are estimated to prevent about 70% of infections.
For the time being, there is no treatment for the HPV infection, but HPV infection often cures itself, especially in young people. The symptoms of approximately one in ten people with genital HPV infection are prolonged and can form precancerous lesions.
Condylomas can be treated at home with various topical preparations available with a prescription or at the doctor's appointment with a laser or by freezing. Condylomas are prone to recur, as treatment does not remove the virus from the body, but only the visible warts.
HPV can be transmitted for as long as it is present on the skin or mucous membranes.
You can protect yourself against the HPV infection and the cellular changes or cancer that it causes with the HPV vaccine, which provides protection against the most common high-risk HPV viruses.
HPV vaccines do not contain a live virus, which is why they are also suitable for immunocompromised people.
The HPV vaccine is intended to protect against and prevent diseases caused by the HPV virus (papillomavirus).
The HPV vaccine is intended for persons over the age of 9.
In Finland, the HPV vaccine is offered in the national vaccination programme for girls and boys aged 10 to 12 years. Vaccination of both sexes provides the best protection against HPV infections and the resulting precursors and cancers.
The HPV vaccine is also available from private health operators such as Mehiläinen. The Gardasil 9 vaccine used at Mehiläinen provides protection against seven high-risk HPVs and two HPVs that cause condyloma.
Yes. In Finland, the HPV vaccine is offered in the national vaccination programme for girls and boys aged 10 to 12 years. Vaccination of both sexes provides the best protection against HPV infections and the resulting precursors and cancers.
Yes. Men can also get the HPV vaccine.
If you are pregnant, suspect that you may be pregnant or you are planning to have a baby or you are breast-feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If necessary, you can discuss the HPV vaccine with a gynaecologist or general practitioner.
There is no upper age limit for vaccination against HPV. The HPV vaccine is most effective if taken before the onset of sexual activity. The HPV vaccine may also be useful in adults as it may protect against HPV types that you have not yet encountered. However, if you have already been infected by the HPV types contained in the vaccine, the vaccine will no longer work.
You can check the price of the HPV vaccine on the Vaccination price list page.
Learn more about Mehiläinen’s flexible payment methods.
You can protect yourself against the HPV infection and the cellular changes or cancer that it causes with the HPV vaccine, which provides protection against the most common high-risk HPV viruses.
Do you suspect HPV infection or would you like to get more information about the human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine? Your gynaecologist will be able to answer any questions you may have about the HPV infection.
