Boys should be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) as well as girls, an expert in chronic illnesses has insisted.

HPV (human papilloma virus) is a group of more than 100 viruses. HPV infection is very common - in fact, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Most HPV infections have no noticeable symptoms and over 90% are cleared by the body's immune system. However, some people will develop infections that need treatment.

In women, HPV infections can lead to abnormal changes in the cervix, which if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer. The provision of the vaccine to girls in their first year of secondary school has been in place in Ireland since 2010.

However, according to Gillian Prue, who lectures on chronic illnesses at Queen's University in Belfast, HPV infection is common in males and can lead to genital warts, some head and neck cancers and cancers of the penis.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Ms Prue noted that some countries, such as the US and Australia, have introduced a HPV vaccination for both boys and girls.

She insisted that HPV-related illnesses among men can lead to a ‘considerable burden' and ‘vaccinating boys is likely to produce health and economic benefits'.

Earlier this year, scientists at Trinity College Dublin made a similar call for boys to be vaccinated after discovering a high rate of cancer-associated HPV infections in men who have sex with men. These infections would be preventable if the vaccine was provided to boys (see more here).

This was backed up by Ms Prue, who noted that the current policy leaves men who have sex with men at particular risk.

She also pointed out that if boys were vaccinated, they would be protected against unvaccinated girls and boys, and this would also help to protect girls.