HPV Vaccine Singapore | A Guide To Getting the HPV Vaccine In Singapore

You've probably heard of HPV vaccinations from your friends or colleagues, but what does it do?

HPV is the common cause of cervical cancer, and cancer is the top cause of death in Singapore. HPV vaccines will significantly reduce your risk of getting an HPV infection.

Read the rest to learn more about HPV and why you should get yourself vaccinated.

What Is HPV, And How Can HPV Affect Your Health?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses that can infect both men and women. Studies strongly suggest that HPV affects 8 out of 10 persons during their lives.

Most HPV infections go away on their own and cause no complications. Persistent infection with certain HPV strains, on the other hand, can lead to cancer and other illnesses over time.

HPV infection can lead to a variety of cancers. Cervical cancer is connected to HPV infection in the vaginal area in nearly all cases (99 per cent).

The different cancers that HPV can cause are

• penile cancer

• vulvar cancer

• vaginal cancer

• anal cancer

• mouth cancer

• throat cancer

How Is HPV Transmitted?

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted illnesses in the world, and it is carried primarily through skin-to-skin contact, especially vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

If you are sexually active, you should always use a condom. Although it may not be foolproof, it can substantially minimise your risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Although rare, HPV can transmit from pregnant women to their children through the bloodstream before delivery or during birth through the vaginal canal.

Symptoms of HPV

Most HPV infections have no symptoms but may cause genital warts or oral infection.

There may be no signs even with high-risk HPV infection in the cervix. Therefore, it is only detectable through a screen test.

If you develop cervical cancer, you may notice a change in the smell of your discharge or even abnormal bleeding after sex or during your menstrual period.

Can HPV Be Treated?

For asymptomatic HPV infections, treatment is not necessary as it will usually clear itself.

HPV-related illnesses such as genital warts, pre-cancerous lesions, and cancer can receive treatment.

Although doctors can't treat the HPV virus, they recommend routine cervical cancer screening tests to identify any cancer-causing HPV types.

Treatments for HPV-related illnesses

Warts usually go away on their own, especially in children. However, treatment can't cure the virus, so you might develop warts again in the same place.

Medication for warts is typically applied directly onto the infected spot and can come in the following forms

• Imiquimod to enhance your weakened immune systems

• Salicylic acid to remove the wart layer by layer

• Trichloroacetic acid to burn off the warts

• Podofilox to destroy genital warts' tissues

If medication does not work, your doctor might suggest laser surgery, electrocautery, cryotherapy or even surgical removal.

As for any pre-cancerous lesions detected in your cervix after your cervical screening, they would have to be removed by surgery , laser, cryosurgery or loop electrosurgical excision procedure.

PTan Family Medicine Clinic offers STD testing and packages for you.

Fret not if you are positive, as we have a team of medical professionals who can prescribe the appropriate medicine for your treatment.

What Is HPV Vaccination And Why It's Important?

You may believe that receiving an HPV vaccine in Singapore is only for women. That, however, is not the case.

Although the government promotes HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention in women, it also has a lot of benefits for men.

HPV vaccination can help to avoid diseases like:

• vaginal, cervical and vulvar cancers in women

• penile, oral and anal cancer in men

• genital warts in both men and women

Over four types of common cancers are linked to the HPV virus.

HPV vaccination is recommended for all males and females aged 9-26 to prevent HPV infection.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with the help of HPV vaccinations.

How does an HPV vaccine work?

Like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine encourages the body to generate antibodies that, when exposed to HPV in the future, will attach to the virus and stop it from infecting the cells in your body.

The HPV vaccine protects you from developing cervical cancer and other HPV-related health problems.

When Should I Get The HPV Vaccine?

There are several considerations before obtaining your HPV vaccination in Singapore, including your pre-existing health issues or allergies, the cost, and the coverage.

You should also pay close attention to the types of HPV the vaccines can protect you from.

For instance, Cervarix only protects against HPV strains 16 and 18, leaving out other HPV strains that could cause genital warts.

Males and females ages 9-26 are encouraged to get the HPV vaccine. The vaccines are, of course, most effective if taken before sexual exposure.

If you have been sexually active and haven't been exposed to the HPV subtypes covered by the vaccine, it can still benefit you.

Pregnant women are not recommended to receive HPV vaccination, so if you get pregnant in between your doses, it should be postponed until after the delivery.

Consult with a medical professional before deciding which vaccine to take and if you can take it as a 26-year-old or older.

Get A Full Screening Test With PTan Family Medicine Clinic

PTan offers full STD testing and screening to check if you have contracted an STD.

If you engage in any sexual activity, you should come down for regular screening tests, especially if you have multiple sexual partners, as it can increase your risk of contracting an STD.

Please book an appointment with us today to keep your health in check!

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