What does HPV vaccination treat?

The vaccine trains the immune system to recognise selected HPV types before exposure. Those types can cause genital warts and changes that may lead to cancers, including cervical cancer. It cannot clear an infection acquired before vaccination, reverse abnormal cells, or act as treatment for a wart that has already appeared.

Vaccination can still be useful even if someone has had HPV, because previous exposure does not necessarily include every type covered by the vaccine. It does not replace cervical screening, which looks for cell changes in the cervix.

Ask a clinician which vaccination schedule fits your age, health history and previous doses. If you have a positive HPV result, genital warts or an abnormal screening result, arrange the recommended follow-up separately. Treatment for an existing problem may involve monitoring, prescription treatment or a procedure, depending on what is found.

Book medical advice for a new genital growth, unusual bleeding, persistent pelvic pain, or a screening result that needs follow-up. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fainting, or a serious allergic reaction after vaccination such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face.

Ask whether you need HPV vaccination, which doses are outstanding, and how vaccination fits with cervical screening. You can also ask how an existing HPV infection or wart would be assessed and treated.