Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Item: HPV (Gardasil9)
Schedule: Course of 1 or 2 (dependent on age)
Price (per dose): £185
Our Clinics
Liverpool Street
London Vaccination Clinic Spaces
35 New Broad Street, London
EC2M 1NH
London Bridge
8 St Thomas Street
London
SE1 9RS
Kensington
Office 203
239 Kensington High St
W8 6SN
Mayfair
Office 14
Hanover Square, London
W1S1YH
Battersea Park
The Engine Room Battersea Power Station, 18, Circus Rd S, London SW11 8BZ
Birmingham Edmund House
Room 108, Edmund House, B3 3AS
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) We hear it and we shiver a little, but your chances of catching it are high. Almost all sexually active men and woman are infected at some time during their lifetime. HPV is a virus that infects the skin, usually through sexual contact, causing cells to grow abnormally. Sometimes these appear as warts.
Surprisingly, the facts about HPV are not as well known as they should be. Example, did you know that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the principal cause of Cervical Cancer? HPV is transmitted through sexual contact and it is possible to have the virus without knowing. This form of cancer originates in the cells of the cervix when abnormal cells begin to develop and multiply out of control. But HPV can cause other types of cancer in the anal genital region.
The HPV vaccine can be administered at any age from 9 – 26 years. Since HPV is responsible for up to 99% of Cervical cancers and lots of other cancers in men and womem, the vaccination is a prime factor in prevention.
“Gardasil”, the vaccine commonly used to prevent HPV, can cause certain side effects, including:
- pain, swelling, redness, bruising or itching where the shot was given
- mild headache, fever, dizziness
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- insomnia
- runny nose, sore throat, cough
- tooth pain, joint or muscle pain.
Only in rare instances have there been more serious side effects, from swollen glands, fever & chills, chest pain, severe stomach pain to shortness of breath. Please contact our Travel Health Clinic or your personal physician without delay, should you experience any of these symptoms. If you have any allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, tongue or throat, contact Emergency Medical Services at once.
The precise duration of the immunity following the HPV vaccination is currently not known, and a pap smear at least once every three years is essential for early detection of possible Cervical Cancer.
As is the case with many other forms of cancer, Cervical Cancer produces few or no symptoms, and can remain undetected without regular screening. The best course of prevention is vaccination, screening and early detection.
Apart from regular screening and vaccination, lifestyle plays an important role in avoidance of the threat of Cervical cancer. For example, among the factors that are known to increase your risk are:
- smoking
- using birth control pills for an extended period (over 5 years)
- having several sexual partners.
Our London Travel Clinics
All 5 of our centrally located travel clinics are convenient for people living and working in London. Liverpool Street, London Bridge, High St Kensington, Battersea and Mayfair. We are open early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekends and provide all of the vaccinations and medications that you need.
