HPV Vaccinations at Parkhealth Medical Centres in Cape Town

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease and is responsible for a number of health concerns ranging from minor to serious.

Thankfully, the HPV vaccine is available in South Africa to minimize the risk of secondary disease caused by the virus.

Why it’s Important to get the HPV Vaccination

There are various strains of the Human Papilloma Virus. While some are relatively harmless and can be cleared naturally by the immune system, other strains can cause serious health concerns such as cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer for women in South Africa, and if not diagnosed early enough, can have devastating consequences. For this reason, regular pap smears and cervical screening are highly encouraged.

Although HPV is considered an STD, there should be no shame or stigma around it as it affects more than 90 percent of men and 80 percent of women who are sexually active. This prevalence is the reason why getting the HPV vaccine is extremely important.

Who Should get Vaccinated?

It’s important to note that the earlier one gets vaccinated, the more effective the vaccination will be. It is recommended that the HPV vaccination is administered before individuals become sexually active which is when risk of exposure to the virus is high.

The best stage for both boys and girls to get vaccinated is between ages of 9 and 11 and the general recommendation is for women to receive the full course of HPV vaccinations before the age of 26.

Parkhealth Medical Centers in Cape Town

Our doctors in Cape Town highly recommend getting the HPV vaccination as soon as possible as it has been known to dramatically decrease the risk of cervical cancer in women, as well as genital warts and more rarely cancer of the mouth, anus, penis, vagina, and throat.

Book an appointment with one of our doctors in Cape Town to get your HPV vaccination.

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