HPV or the human papillomavirus to give it its full title is not a new virus and has been around for a long time. It is a sexually transmitted virus that affects both males and females and those at a higher risk are the ones who have had sex at an early age or who have had lots of sexual partners. It is passed through contact with the genitals of people already infected and from skin to skin contact too.
For most people the virus is just like ‘flu’ and will go away on its own without causing any health problems. The worrying thing about HPV is that lots of people do not know they have contracted it and can carry it with them for a great many years without any symptoms at all … infecting others as they go.
There are thought to be over 3,000 women every year in the UK who contract cervical cancer, a disease that affects women only as the cervix is part of the female reproductive system and although most girls don't start having sex until they are 16 or older it is important that they get this vaccination early, which will protect them in the future.
To ensure girls are protected the HPV vaccine is offered to all 12-13 year old girls, usually in Year 8, and what better place to inoculate as many girls as possible than in schools where large numbers of girls congregate.
The HPV vaccine will be given as an injection into the muscle of your upper arm or thigh and is done in two doses, and you need both of them to be protected against the virus.
The injection itself may sting just a little bit but this will only be for a few seconds with some noticing a little redness, bruising, swelling or irritation at the site of the injection for a few days afterwards which is quite normal. Remember the HPV inoculation initiative is going to help lessen your risk of contracting cervical cancer in the future and we're sure you'll agree worth a little bit of discomfort to keep you safe.
If you have any concerns about this vaccination then have a chat to your parents, guardian or school nurse and they will try to alleviate any of your concerns; because generally the more we know about something the less frightened we are of it.
So you see the HPV vaccination is no different from the vaccinations you had when you were a baby and is given to keep you safe and free from life threatening illnesses.
