Many mothers of young girls have by now been informed about the HPV vaccine that can help prevent most cervical cancers in women. Doctors are now recommending the HPV vaccine for young girls between the ages of 11-12, although some will administer the vaccine as early as age 9. Ideally, the vaccine should be given before the recipient becomes sexually active, which is why they aim for the younger ages. Women between the ages of 13-26 may also receive the injection, but if they have already been exposed to a particular strain of the virus, the shot will not protect them against that one strain. It will, however, still protect them from the others.
Now, recently, they have also approved the same vaccine for boys, which is great news for any parent with a son. Now, either gender can be protected. Speak with your son’s pediatrician if you are interested in this vaccine for your son. I had to specifically ask my sons’ doctor, as their office at one point was not administering the vaccine to males. Then when the office began giving it to boys, my insurance was not yet covering the vaccine for boys, which I find appalling. Thankfully, most insurance companies are coming around, and I was recently able to start my son on his three shot series.
A little background on HPV and this vaccine.The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was a revolutionary breakthrough in the prevention of HPV, or Human Papillomavirus. HPV affects both men and women, and is the most common sexually transmitted virus. There are more than 40 different types, or strains, of HPV, with Gardasil providing protection from the four major strains, which are responsible for causing genital warts and cervical cancers. Gardasil is given in a series of three shots, the second shot given after two months, the final shot given six months after the first one. Side effects appear to be mild, like those of any other injection. This and other information regarding the HPV vaccine, can be found at the Department of Health and Human Services Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/std/hpv and www.cdc.gov/nip .
It is estimated that around 20 million people in the United States alone are infected with HPV and that number continues to rise to include and estimated 6.3 million more people annually. It is thought that at least 50 percent, yes that’s half, of our population of sexually active men and women become infected with HPV in one strain or another at some point in their lives. Those statistics are staggering, which is why Gardasil is such an amazing breakthrough.
Many who contract HPV do not even realize they have it and experience no symptoms, although they can transmit it to others. There is no actual treatment for the HPV virus itself, but conditions it may cause, such as genital warts, can be treated. Many HPV infections will clear on their own over time. But, I believe prevention is key. Why not avoid it in the first place?
HPV related cervical cancers are the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women the world over. Other HPV strains may also cause rarer types of cancer in men, such as penile and scrotal cancers. Therefore, the benefit is definitely there for both boys and girls, plus it will prevent certain strains that cause genital warts.
It would only take exposure to one person with HPV to contract it yourself, and eventually, unless your child plans on a life of celibacy, almost anyone is at risk. Eventually, most children, as they become adults and begin dating, or after they marry, will become part of the sexually active population, and with this realization, Gardasil is a key component to the prevention of further cases of genital warts, cervical cancers and other cancers.
Let’s face facts, your child is going to grow up someday and become and adult who will date and marry and will face risk of exposure to this virus. It can affect anyone. This is a huge relief for me to know that my daughter will never have to receive the news one day that her pap came back showing cervical cancer, or that my sons will not to face certain cancer risks or unsuspectingly cause this risk to a female.
Please note that I am not condoning or encouraging sexual activity or promiscuity in young people at all. I just feel that this is something that almost anyone can and likely will contract in their adult life at some point if people do not become protected, no matter what their morals, and that prevention is key. Now, we as parents, have the opportunity to help protect our children from deadly forms of cancer and other unpleasantries. I feel it’s a huge breakthrough and well worth looking into.
More information on HPV can be found at Centers For Disease Control And Prevention on their website, at : www.cdc.gov/std/hpv