HPV Vaccinations - 1st Round

Get your child's HPV vaccine between 6 February and 20 March 2024, at a pharmacy, clinic or other health facility near you.

HPV Symptoms
An HPV infection will cause no symptoms for the majority of people. HPV is normally cleared from the body by the immune system within a year or two, with no lasting effects. HPV infection that does not go away on its own can induce alterations in cervical cells, resulting in precancers that, if left untreated, can progress to cervical cancer. It could take up to 20 years for cervical cancer to appear following an HPV infection.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may include bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse, as well as a foul-smelling vaginal discharge. These symptoms also could be the result of another condition. People experiencing these symptoms should consult their healthcare provider. Depending on the kind of HPV infection present, warts can have a variety of appearances;
Genital warts – These can appear as flat lesions, small cauliflower-like pimples, or tiny stem-like protrusions. Genital warts are most common on the vulva in women, although they can also arise around the anus, on the cervix, or in the vagina. Genital warts in men can occur on the penis, scrotum, or around the anus. Genital warts are rarely uncomfortable or painful, but they may itch or feel irritated.
Common warts - Common warts are rough, raised blemishes that most often form on the hands and fingers. Common warts can cause pain, be prone to damage and bleeding.
Plantar warts - Hard, granular growths that typically occur on the heels or balls of the feet.
Flat warts - They can appear anywhere, males typically get them in the beard area and children typically have them on the face. They usually affect women's legs.

Sources:

1. HPV Vaccination, Western Cape Government, https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general.../hpv-vaccinations
2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cancer, WHO, https://www.who.int/.../human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer
3. HPV Infection, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/.../symptoms-causes/syc-20351596
4. Everything you Need to Know About Human Papillomavirus Infection, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/.../human-papillomavirus...