The free anti-HPV vaccination was extended, the boys and girls between the ages of 19 and 26 can benefit, based on the prescription from the family doctor, from October 1. Doctors dismantle the myth that “the man transmits, but does not happen.
Vaccination and testing can prevent photo dramatic situations: Shutterstock
Two days ago, the Government adopted an ordinance that amends Law no. 95/2006 on health reform, along with other normative acts, to extend free anti-HPV vaccination. As a result of these changes, starting with October 1, 2025, the anti-HPV vaccine will be insured for free for girls and boys between 19 and 26 years old, within the National Vaccination Program (PNV), at this time being free for girls and boys between 11 and 18 years old and compensated for 50%. Vaccination is done at the family doctor, epidemiologists, infectious diseases, pediatric doctors and doctors of other specialties who have certified vaccinology and have a contract with health insurance houses.
Vaccination prevents cervical cancer (the type of cancer that causes 12 deaths in Romania in Romania. 000 inhabitants, 239 % more than the EU average), but doctors point out that there are other types of cancer caused by the HPV virus, and these, after the age of 40, affect four times more on men than women. These are cancers in the oro-pharyngeal area (which include tumors in the tonsils, base of the tongue and posterior wall of the pharynx) and anal cancer.
“This HPV remains in the body if you have not treated it and you have not eliminated it”
Anti-HPV vaccination, which is done at the right time, would cause to save thousands of lives. In the countries where the prevention works, thanks to the vaccination of children, close to the target of eliminating cervical cancer, in this struggle Australia being the country with the best results.
The best time for vaccination is before the beginning of sex life, which is why children from the age of 11 are eligible. In the absence of vaccination, and corroborated with an early onset of sexual life, the risks of pre-cancer lesions at young ages, even 21-22 years old, are not to be neglected. Dr. Alina Dascălu, primary obstetrics-gynecology doctor with expertise in the uterine pathology and a specialist partner of the platform planned, revealed that they showed up in young, unvaccinated cabinet, in which such pre-cancer lesions have been highlighted.
Why? Because the HPV virus, once contracted, can have a pretty fast evolution. “When you have a low immunity, it becomes very aggressive and automatically we reach a very young age at dramatic situations,” sometimes, “ explains the doctor.
This is why parents need to be informed and determined to decide in favor of their child, girl or boy. The fact that young people have only one partner does not keep the risk of HPV infection, and Dr. Alina Dascălu explained what is happening.
“I tell them – your daughter has only one partner, but the partner, until she met her, may have two, three. And this HPV remains in the body if you have not treated it and you have not eliminated it. That is, a couple can be faithful but comes to the luggage with something beforehand”, Explained the doctor.
Some parents postpone the presentation of the child to the doctor for the administration of the vaccine under the pretext that adolescents could interpret that after the administration of the vaccine is time to start their sexual life. However, the doctor recommends vaccination of boys from 11 years, and vaccination of girls, after menstruation.
“The earlier I vaccinate it, the faster antibodies it has, and in girls generally I recommend after menstruation has come, because it is assumed that until then sex life does not start. But I explain to them that they have to do the vaccine in advance, to have antibodies when they start, it does not mean that tomorrow it is ”, added the doctor.
The extension of offering free and for the age segment 18-26 years is a big plus, says Dr. Alina Dascălu. Young people can decide alone in terms of vaccination, only for many the cost of the vaccine (if they purchase it alone) it is still difficult to bear, at this age segment the vaccination scheme assuming the administration of three doses, given that a single dose has a price of just over 600 lei.
“This HPV does not exist locally. It circulates through the blood and it is cant where the body is sensitive”
Another plus found in the last period is the growing interest in this vaccine manifested by men.
“They also began to raise awareness, they were informed, that in fact men are exposed four times more. This is how the statistics look. After 40 years, oropharyngeal and anal cancers are four times more numerous than in women, because this HPV in men has tropism for the oropharigian and anal mucosa. I mean there
And in the case of men the problems generated by HPV infection can be detected in quite late stages, because they appear in hidden areas. The doctor is reached when the symptoms already appear, when it comes to sore throat, bleeding, wounds, and then it can be too late, hence the four times higher mortality for men for cancers in these areas.
“When they are aware that they are exposed, yes, they are vaccinated. And you don’t have to have, I don’t know, other habits. You simply got through sexual contact from a partner with that, you are exposed. And they finally understood that they are not just bearers, because so far it was a myth – the man transmitted, but nothing happens -. Inaccurate”concluded the doctor.
What is HPV infection and how it is transmitted
HPV infection, preventable by vaccination, is responsible for 5% of all cancers globally, shows the data of the information platform “Plan the Unforeseen”.
HPV (human papilloma virus) is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted viruses and the main cause of cervical cancer, but also, as we have shown above, other types of cancer. 80% of sexually active women and men are infected with HPV at least once in their lives. People with a healthy immune system acquire immunity within about 2 years. It is also worth mentioning that there are over 150 HPV strains and that of about 14 are considered high risk and can cause cancer.
However, many more types of lesions can cause, however, such as, for example, warts on the surface of the skin – in the neck area, soles, armpits or palms.
The infection of this type can be taken by direct touch with an infected person or by contaminated objects and are not carcinogenic. Over 40 varieties of the virus, show on the “Plan the Unforeseen” platform, can infect the genital area. Some cause benign (condylomas) lesions, but others are a risk factor in cancers (vulva, vagina, cervical, penis, scrotum).
“10% of women with persistent cervical infection will develop cervical cancer. The latter is the only type of cancer that can be detected by a screening test, long before a lesion appears. For the rest, the discovery is made in a more advanced stage ”the quoted source shows.
Other lesions appear in the extragenital area – anal channel, oropharynx: tonsils, base of tongue. 70% of oropharynx cancers are given by HPV infection.
Four out of ten Cancer cases caused by HPV appear in men.
How can you infect yourself
The skin contact in the skin when there is a lesion or cut can be a way of transmission. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact or other types of contact with the skin in the genital organs, which is why doctors point out that precautionary measures such as using condom decrease the risk, but do not eliminate it. You can also infect from a person who has no symptoms and does not have a visible lesion.
Another important risk factor is the large number of sexual partners. Under the conditions of a weakened immune system the risk of infection is even higher.
In most cases, people who contract the HPV virus have no symptoms, and the infection may pass by themselves, without causing health problems. In some cases, however, lesions may occur in the genital organs, as inside the vagina, the anus, the vulva, the cervix, but also the penis. In these cases you notice changes, it is necessary to present to the doctor.
Under the conditions of a good immunity, the body fights with the virus and no symptoms or lesions occur, but if the virus is not eliminated an infected person may remain a carrier of this virus and over time it can cause serious health problems: genital vegetation (condyles) or warts in the respiratory tract.
It should be mentioned that for anti-HPV vaccination there is no age limit. It can be done even in the conditions in which the infection has already been confirmed with one of the stems for which the vaccine offers immunity, in this case the benefit being the immunity for the other stems contained in the vaccine. Vaccination prevents infection, but does not cure the disease.
