Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Symptoms of HPV

Many people who have HPV have no symptoms of the infection. Anogenital warts (also called Condylomata) are one sign of HPV infection. They may look like a small cauliflower or may be flat. Many people with HPV will have no obvious signs of infection because the warts may be inside the body or if on the skin, too small to be seen.

In women, warts may appear on the vulva, thigh, anus, rectum, or in the vagina or urethra with the cervix being a common HPV infection site. During pregnancy, the number and size of warts can increase, but usually decrease after delivery. With an inactive infection, the cells of the cervix appear normal under a microscope during a Pap test and the woman may never know she was infected. With an active infection, the cervical cells undergo a change. An active infection can follow one of two courses:

• The abnormal cells become normal again and the infection is inactive or cleared from your body by your immune system. However, it is possible that an inactive infection can become active again, for reasons that aren't clearly understood.
• The abnormal cells slowly progress to cervical cancer.

In men, the warts may appear on the penis, scrotum, thigh, anus, rectum, or in the urethra.

Testing

HPV DNA testing is available in Canada but access varies across the country and is not part of a woman's regular check-up or Pap test. If not covered by your provincial and territorial health programs, you may have to pay for HPV testing.  However, where recommended and available, Pap tests are currently used to determine if a woman is at risk of developing pre-cancerous and cancerous changes in the cervix thereby allowing these changes to be treated or closely followed and reduce the chances of developing cancer.

In men, HPV testing is currently under study but once the malignant lesion has developed, treatment choices include complete surgical removal of the cancerous tissue, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The health risks of HPV

HPV causes almost all cervical cancers but is also linked to cancer of the throat, oral cavity, penis, anus, vagina or vulva. More research is needed to define the extent of these linkages.

Anogenital warts, although rarely associated with cancer, are still a significant burden for those affected often leading to physical, emotional and social problems. They can be effectively treated by applying prescribed medication either in a doctor's office or by you at home. Other medical treatments include cryotherapy (freezing), an electric current, or a laser or surgical removal of the warts but these methods do not always eliminate HPV infection. Even with treatment, warts can recur.

HPV does not appear to affect a woman's ability to become pregnant. Although considered rare, the baby may be at risk of getting an HPV infection in the throat. A C-section delivery is not routinely recommended, unless there is a significant obstruction or other risks.

Protecting against HPV through immunization

Health Canada has authorized three vaccines to prevent infections from the most common types of HPV: Gardasil^®, Gardasil^®9 (for females and males) and Cervarix^® (for females only). All three vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing HPV infection and changes in the cells of the cervix related to these types of HPV.

Studies have found HPV vaccines to be safe. Other than a brief soreness at the injection site, participants reported few side effects. The vaccines cannot cause disease because they contain no live biologicals or DNA and are thus not infectious. Also, the vaccines do not contain any preservative or antibiotics, including thimerosal or mercury. It is important to note that Cervarix^® contains a special new adjuvant/additive (ASO4) which studies have also shown to be safe.

If you are infected with one type of HPV you can still benefit from the HPV vaccine. It can protect you against other strains of the virus. Unfortunately, even if you are vaccinated, you are still at risk for some types of HPV not covered by the vaccine. It is important that women who receive the vaccine still have regular Pap tests and practice safer sex.

None of the HPV vaccines have an impact on an existing infection or any consequences of infection (e.g. anogenital warts and cancerous or pre-cancerous changes) that you may already have. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Gardasil^® and Gardasil^®9

A vaccine called Gardasil^®, which prevents certain types of HPV, has been approved for use in Canada. The vaccine protects against infection with two high risk types of HPV (16 and 18) which cause approximately 70% of anal and genital cancers and two low risk types of HPV (6 and 11) which cause approximately 90% of anogenital warts. Gardasil9^®, also approved for use in Canada, prevents up to an additional 14% of anogenital cancers caused by the additional five HPV types (31, 33, 45, 52, 58) included in the vaccine.

These vaccines have been approved for use in females ages nine to 45 and in males ages nine to 26, and involves one dose given initially followed by one dose two months later and another dose given six months after the first dose was given. These vaccines may also be given according to a 2 dose schedule among healthy (immunocompetent, non-HIV infected) females and males 9-14 years of age.  Pregnant and lactating women should avoid the vaccine. Talk to your doctor for more information.

In males, studies have demonstrated efficacy in preventing external lesions due to types 6 and 11. Failure to demonstrate the same efficacy in preventing penile and ano-rectal cancer was likely due to the rarity of these lesions.

Recent studies indicate good long term protection (at least 10 years) against HPV types in these vaccines.

Cervarix^®

A vaccine, called Cervarix^®, which prevents certain types of HPV, has been approved for use in Canada. The vaccine protects against infection with two high risk types of HPV (16 and 18) which cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers.

The vaccine has been approved for use in females ages nine to 45, and involves one dose given initially followed by one dose a month later and another dose given six months after the first dose was given. This vaccine may also be given according to a 2 dose schedule among healthy (immunocompetent, non-HIV infected) females 9-14 years of age. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid the vaccine. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Recent studies indicate good long-term protection against HPV types in the vaccine for females.

National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations

In February 2007, based on sound scientific consideration, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued recommendations for the use of Gardasil^® for females ages nine to 26. In January 2012, NACI issued an update on human papillomavirus vaccines, which included recommendations in light of the expanded use of Gardasil^® for males ages nine to 26 and females ages 27 to 45, as well as the approval of Cervarix^® for females. In 2015, NACI issued updated recommendations on the HPV immunization schedule, including recommendations for either a 2- or 3- dose schedule in healthy, immunocompetent, non-HIV infected individuals 9-14 years of age, based on new evidence about the efficacy of HPV vaccines in this population. In 2016, NACI issued recommendations on the new vaccine, Gardasil^®9, authorized for use in Canada. In 2017, NACI provided evidence-based recommendations on a 2-dose schedule for the most recently approved HPV vaccine, and summarized evidence and resulting recommendations on HPV immunization in immunocompromised populations.

Currently, all HPV vaccines are recommended by NACI for:

• girls and women 9 to less than 27 years of age, including those who have had previous Pap test abnormalities, cervical cancer or genital warts, and may be administered to women 27 years of age and older at ongoing risk of exposure to HPV

HPV vaccination prior to onset of sexual activity and exposure to HPV is recommended to maximize the benefit of the vaccine.

Currently, HPV vaccines Gardasil^® and Gardasil^®9 are recommended by NACI for:

• boys and men, 9 to less than 27 years of age, and may be administered to men 27 years of age and older at ongoing risk of exposure to HPV.

HPV vaccination prior to onset of sexual activity and exposure to HPV is recommended to maximize the benefit of the vaccine.

Use of HPV vaccine Cervarix^® is not currently recommended by NACI for:

• females under nine years of age. However,  it may be considered in children less than 9 years of age who are at risk of exposure to HPV (for example, have a history of sexual abuse or have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection).
• pregnant women
• males

Use of HPV vaccine Gardasil^® and Gardasil^®9 is not currently recommended by NACI for:

• females and males under nine years of age.  However,  it may be considered in children less than 9 years of age who are at risk of exposure to HPV (for example, have a history of sexual abuse or have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection).
• pregnant women

Minimizing your risk