Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted through various forms of sexual contact. The virus stays in the body for an average of two to three years and can trigger numerous cancers.
To protect yourself against HPV, there is a corresponding vaccination, which is relatively expensive. That is changing now, because the HPV vaccination will be free for everyone up to the age of 21. The federal government, the federal states and social security have agreed on this – more on this in Free HPV vaccination expanded: great approval.
Expert: “HPV third most common cancer”
“HPV can very commonly cause cancer. If 100 women are infected with HPV, ten must be treated accordingly before the actual disease occurs in order to prevent cancer. It is also the third most common cancer in women worldwide,” says Michaela Klein, President of the Burgenland Cancer Aid.
HPV is also not harmless for men, explains the expert. “Men contract HPV just as often, and in the ear, nose and throat area even four times more frequently than women. The cancers are distributed somewhat differently, but both sexes are affected equally and there is always the potential risk of dying from it,” says the expert.
“There are hardly any symptoms”
“You don’t recognize the high-risk situation. You don’t feel sick, you don’t know it and you’re contagious at the same time. Only about fifteen percent develop corresponding symptoms. Most people don’t know they’re infected,” Klein explained.
Doctor for free HPV vaccination
dr Michaela Klein from the Burgenland Cancer Aid speaks on the subject of free HPV vaccination.
The HPV vaccine provides 90 percent protection and is free for everyone up to the age of 21. “The most important group are those people who have not yet had any sexual contact, i.e. the nine to twelve year olds. But it also makes sense to get vaccinated later, but that doesn’t help if you’re already infected, only against new infections,” said the expert. According to the expert, there is little point in getting vaccinated for people over a certain age.