Why is it important for parents and teenagers to know about HPV?

HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives.⁷ If the HPV infection doesn’t clear up by itself, it can manifest as cancer later in life.⁷

What you need to know about HPV

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus.
HPV is a family of very common and highly contagious viruses.⁷

Isn’t the HPV vaccine just for girls?

The HPV vaccine is for boys and girls.¹ HPV immunisation prevents certain HPV infection which can lead to cancers like cervical and anal cancers.¹ Both boys and girls are offered vaccination under the National HPV Immunisation Programme in their first year of secondary school.¹

How does HPV affect males and females?

Males and females can get HPV infection.^1,3 HPV infection usually clears up by itself but if not, it can cause cancers in both men and women such as anal cancer in men and cervical and anal cancers in women.⁷

Every year in Ireland, up to 130 people die from HPV-related cancers (100 female, 30 male)⁴ while 1 in 20 of all cancers are caused by HPV infection.⁷ HPV can also cause genital warts in both males and females⁷ with more than 1,000 reported cases of genital warts each year in Ireland.⁸

How is HPV transmitted?

HPV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact.⁷ It’s very common and highly contagious.⁷ HPV is so common that almost everyone who is sexually active will get HPV infection at some point in their lifetime.⁷ Most adults in Ireland don’t realise they’re likely to have been exposed to HPV.²

What are the symptoms of HPV?

You can’t always tell if someone has HPV as most HPV infections don’t come with clinical symptoms. This means that people infected with HPV often don’t know that they have it and can continue transmitting the virus to others.^7,9

If I have HPV infection, will I definitely get cancer?

No. While almost every man and woman will get HPV infection at some point in their lives, HPV infection usually clears up by itself.⁷ When HPV infection doesn’t clear up by itself, it becomes a problem as it could lead to cancers.⁷ There is no way to tell who will clear the virus and who won’t which is why prevention is so important.^3,10

Is it possible to help to protect against HPV before being exposed to HPV infection?

In Ireland the National HPV Immunisation Programme offers vaccination to all boys and girls in first year of secondary school.¹ HPV immunisation is most effective before a person becomes sexually active.¹ The vaccine is also offered to certain adults up to the age of 45, who are eligible and at-risk.¹¹ HPV immunisation prevents certain HPV infections which can lead to cancers like cervical cancer and anal cancer.^1,3

I have more questions about HPV, who can I talk to?

If you need more information about HPV/HPV prevention and the HPV vaccine, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

What is the HPV Cervical Screening Test

A cervical screening test checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.¹⁴

It’s not a test for cancer. It’s a test that can help prevent cancer from developing.¹⁴

Screening first looks to see if you have any of the high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer.¹⁴

If HPV is found, your same test sample will be checked to see if you have any abnormal (precancerous) cells in your cervix.¹⁴

This is a new way of screening. It is called HPV cervical screening. It was introduced in Ireland in March 2020.¹⁴

HPV cervical screening:¹⁴

is a better way of cervical screening
prevents more cancers
means some people will have fewer tests

If you have had a smear test in the past, having a cervical screening test will feel the same.¹⁴

For more information visit the CervicalCheck website