Prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV): Croatian recommendations for HPV immunization among adolescents and adult populations
TL;DR
There is no specific cure for HPV infection, but vaccination against HPV provides effective and long-term protection against infection with the most common types of HPV, including oncogenic types.
Abstract
One of the most common sexually transmitted infections is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which has great public health significance due to its epidemiological and clinical characteristics. In most people it resolves spontaneously without clinical symptoms or consequences, but in some infected people it may cause anogenital warts, while persistent infection with high-risk types may result in serious health complications and certain types of cancers. There is no specific cure for HPV infection, but vaccination against HPV provides effective and long-term protection against infection with the most common types of HPV, including oncogenic types. Therefore, HPV immunization is an important biomedical intervention for the prevention of HPV-related diseases. In accordance with international recommendations, national professional societies and institutions have developed Croatian recommendations for HPV vaccination for routine vaccination of adolescents and young people, and vaccination of adults based on medical indications.