The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is quite common. Around 80% of sexually lively individuals might be contaminated with it in some unspecified time in the future of their lifetime, however individuals with HPV might not know that they’re contaminated, as they typically haven’t any signs.
For most individuals, HPV goes away naturally in time. However, it may well trigger cervical cancer in women in addition to genital warts in each genders. HPV may even result in anal and throat cancers, however these are way more uncommon.
Discussion round the HPV vaccine has typically centred on the therapy of girls and girls, however men and boys may benefit from it. Find out extra about how HPV affects both men and women.
Benefits of the HPV vaccine for boys
Although the authorities vaccination programme in the UK is just open to younger ladies and men who’ve intercourse with men, most medical doctors would agree that every one males may benefit from it.
The girls’ HPV vaccination programme in the UK works by herd immunity. Vaccinating girls helps to not directly defend boys from cancers and genital warts linked to an infection with HPV as a result of vaccinated girls is not going to move HPV on to them. This premise goes each methods – vaccinated boys will forestall the illness from spreading to girls.
If you’re a male underneath the age of 15 you solely want two doses, whereas this goes as much as three after age 15. Men as much as age 45 may take the vaccine. It’s essential to have all the required doses to be correctly protected.
The advantages of the HPV vaccine for homosexual men
As talked about earlier than, the HPV vaccination advantages boys through herd immunity. However, homosexual men don’t benefit from the vaccine in the similar means, regardless that they’re additionally prone to cancers of the anus, penis, mouth, and throat as a result of an infection with HPV varieties 16 and 18. Men who’ve intercourse with men (MSM) are additionally at risk of genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. Therefore getting the vaccine themselves will assist to guard them from these circumstances.
Where and get the HPV vaccine
Gay men as much as and together with the age of 45 are eligible to get the HPV vaccination on the NHS at no cost once they go to GUM or HIV clinics. This is due to a brand new programme that started rolling out at these clinics in England in 2018.
Alternatively, anybody of any age can use the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor HPV Vaccination Service to get inoculated. Simply full a brief questionnaire and for those who’re medically appropriate, our medical doctors will prescribe you the vaccine, which might be administered at many LloydsPharmacy shops.
Potential negative effects of the HPV vaccine
More than 1 in 10 individuals who have the HPV vaccine expertise redness, swelling or ache at the website of the injection. Some different widespread negative effects embody:
- Headaches
- Bruising or itching at the website of the injection
- High temperature or feeling scorching and shivery
- Nausea
- Pain in the arms, palms, fingers, legs, toes or toes
Visit our HPV Vaccine Clinic for extra info or learn extra about HPV and sexual health right here.
