HPV stands for human papillomavirus, is a common family of viruses with over 200 strains, infecting skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the body.

HPV infection: Causes – what are the risk factors for HPV?

It can be transmitted through sexual contact and skin-to-skin contact (such as sharing personal items like towels or razors). Most sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives, though most will never even know it as they do not show any signs or symptoms. This means that they can transmit (pass on) the virus to others without knowing it. HPV infection is most common in people in their late teens and early 20s.

While most HPV types cause no symptoms and go away on their own, it can cause warts and can lead to pre-cancers and cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus and oropharynx ( back of throat). Sexually transmitted HPV can be divided into high risk (that cause cancers) and low risk types.

Can HPV infection be treated?

HPV infections cannot be cured, but the body usually fights off the virus naturally in most people. In cases where the virus  is not cleared, it can cause genital warts and some of these may persist and cause changes in the skin cells that lead to pre-cancer and cancer. We can screen for HPV infections of the cervix with a cervical smear  and HPV test before the HPV infections cause problems. However, for infections of the other areas mentioned, there is no screening test and we will only detect it when health problems surface.

How to prevent getting HPV infection?

Therefore, prevention through HPV vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to help reduce the risk of certain HPV-related complications, especially if it is given before exposure to HPV, making preteens good candidates.

HPV vaccines

Various HPV vaccines are available. They cover for 2, 4 or 9 strains of HPV. IMC advises the use of the HPV9 vaccine as it gives the widest coverage for 2 HPV strains that cause warts as well as the 7 strains that cause most of the cancers.

The HPV9 vaccine – is it just for girls, should boys also get it and when?

According to WHO, 130 countries had the HPV vaccine in their national immunization schedule by the end of 2022. HPV vaccinations currently available can significantly help reduce the risk of developing certain HPV-related cancers by up to 90%.  In Singapore, the HPV vaccines are approved for routine vaccination for everyone, not just females but males as well, from age 9 to age 45.

​If you are from 9 to and including 13 years of age

HPV9 vaccine can be administered according to a 2-dose schedule:
– First injection: at chosen date
– Second injection: 6 months after first injection

After 14 years of age

Gardasil should be administered according to a 3-dose schedule:
– First injection: at chosen date
– Second injection: 2 months after first injection
– Third injection: 6 months after first injection

If I am vaccinated against HPV infection, does that mean I won’t need any pap smears in the future?

​It’s important to note that HPV vaccination will only protect against the HPV types they cover. Hence cervical cancer screening is still important even if a woman has been vaccinated. In Singapore, regular cervical cancer screening is recommended from age 25 and anyone who has been sexually active before.

There is currently no approved HPV screening test for men.