HPV!

HPV is a common virus that can be sexually transmitted. Almost all people in the Netherlands have had HPV at some point in their lives. Currently, more than 100 different variants of the HPV are known. Some variants carry a high risk of developing cancer, while others have a lower risk. Some specific low-risk variants can cause genital warts.

Infection with the high-risk variants (hr-HPV) has irritated the cells of the cervix. The HPV can irritate these cells to such an extent that they change and possibly become malignant. Fortunately, the body is usually able to clear up the infection itself before the infection has a chance to make major changes to the cells. 

In sommige gevallen kan hr-HPV leiden tot baarmoederhalskanker. Dit proces verloopt erg traag en kan 12-15 jaar duren. Hierdoor is het mogelijk om preventieve maatregelen te ondernemen, zoals het vaccineren tegen HPV. Sinds 2008 kunnen jongeren vanaf 9 jaar oud gevaccineerd worden tegen HPV via het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma (RVP). Vaccineren zorgt ervoor dat je lichaam een latere besmetting met HPV beter kan bestrijden, omdat je lichaam het virus nog herkent van je vaccinatie. Door je te laten vaccineren verlaag je de kans met ongeveer 90% op een infectie met HPV. Wil je meer weten over de HPV-vaccinatie? Bezoek dan de website van onze partner SamenTegenHPV. De Gardasil vaccinatie kan ook beschermen tegen anus en keelkanker.

In addition, it is possible to test for hr-HPV. If you want to know more about hr-HPV testing, go to our page on the HPV test. 

HPV is highly contagious and can be transmitted in multiple ways. For example, it is transmissible through sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact (i.e., including touching the penis or vagina and through oral and/or anal sex), sharing surfaces such as towels, sex toys or razors. The virus cannot be transmitted through blood. 

Using condoms lowers the chances of getting HPV, but they unfortunately cannot completely prevent you from getting infected.

Another way to protect yourself is to be vaccinated against HPV. Since 2008, the HPV vaccination has been included in the National Vaccination Program (RPV), allowing young people (ages 9 to 24) to be vaccinated against hr-HPV with the Cervarix (R) vaccine free of charge. For more information about the HPV vaccination from the National Vaccination Program, click here. You can also get vaccinated later in life - at your own expense. This can be done, for example, at the family doctor or at the GGD. Since 2024 OneDayClinic in cooperation with SamenTegenHPV also offers the vaccinations to protect against HPV! 

Not only can you get vaccinated for the hr-HPV: it is also possible to protect yourself for the low-risk types of the HPV virus. You can do this with the Gardasil-9 (R) vaccine. This not only lowers your chances of getting various types of cancers, but also of getting genital warts.

Tests are also available for hr-HPV. For more information on HPV testing, click here.

There are several types of HPV vaccinations. The most well-known are the Cervarix (R) and the Gardasil-9 (R). In the National Vaccination Program, the Cervarix (R) vaccine is offered. At OneDayClinic, you have the choice of choosing Cervarix (R), Gardasil (R) or Gardasil-9 (R) for your vaccination. You can read more about the differences between the hpv vaccinations in the following blog .

Two vaccinations are required for all shots. There must be 6 months between the two vaccinations. Immune-compromised individuals and HIV patients receive three instead of two vaccinations. They receive their second vaccination 1-2 months and third vaccination 6 months after their first vaccination.

As with any medication, and therefore any vaccination, side effects can occur. These include fever, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. In addition, you may experience a sore arm and the site of the injection may have some redness and it may feel a little warm. Fortunately, most side effects go away within 1-3 days. According to the RIVM, there have never been any serious, permanent side effects from giving the HPV vaccinations (source: RIVM).

It is definitely helpful to get vaccinated even later in life! HPV has many different types. In fact, it is unlikely that you have already contracted all HPV types once. Thus, you still protect yourself for the types contained in the vaccine that you have not yet contracted.

You make an appointment through our website or on the phone with one of our assistants. During the appointment, the doctor or nurse will ask some questions about your health to see if we can give you the vaccination safely and how many vaccinations are needed. We will also discuss with you which vaccination (Cervarix (R) or Gardasil-9 (R)) will be given. Of course, there is then also room for questions from your side. If a doctor agrees to give the vaccination and if the payment has been successful, the doctor or nurse will place the vaccination in your upper arm. After this, an appointment may be made to give the next shot. After this, you are ready and can go home immediately! You do not have to wait in the waiting room after this vaccination.