|
||||||
   
|
|
It's a new year, and now that you've recovered from the holidays, maybe you're thinking about getting healthy. One thing to think about is Gardasil, the HPV vaccine featured in the ubiquitous commercials. This vaccine protects against certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Gardasil doesn't protect you from all of the types of HPV, over 100 in all (that would be a big-ass injection). About 60 types cause common skin warts (plantar, hand); around 40 affect your genitals and are sexually transmitted (through both intercourse and "outer"-course). Only a few of the genital types are considered "high risk" and can cause cancer. Gardasil is effective against four types of HPV: two of the types cause 90% of all genital warts; the other two strains cause 70% of cervical cancer cases.
The vaccine is FDA-approved for girls and women ages 9-26 years old. What this means is that your insurance company is likely to cover it only until you're 26. While Gardasil may offer protection for women older than 26, the vaccine hasn't been tested in them, so it's not officially approved for that use. But I have a few patients older than 26 who have wanted to pay out of pocket for the vaccine, and I've gladly obliged. Gardasil is given in three doses over 6 months. And considering that about 80% of us will be infected with HPV at some point, it's a great way to worry about one thing (cervical cancer) a little less. Have any of you gotten vaccinated? 8 CommentsLeave a comment |
|
![[Body By Glamour ad]](http://dailybedpost.com/ads/bbg-fall-275x225.gif)
 
Em & Lo, more formally known as Emma Taylor and Lorelei Sharkey, are
the self-proclaimed Emily Posts of the modern bedroom.
Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New
York City.
Check out Daily Bedpost on MySpace.com.
|
||
FEED ME
Yes! I did last year, along with my 12-year-old sister. My mother had a close brush with cervical cancer in the last few years and as a result I encourage every female I know to consider getting the vaccine. I'm always happy to see you post about it!
In your professional opinion, are there any reasons not to get vaccinated? I know some of my friends have said the reason they haven't gotten it yet is because they're concerned about what affect the vaccine might have on their bodies. I consider it a lame excuse, but do you think it's substantiated?
Fears about vaccines aren't uncommon, but there's no real reason not to get the vaccine. It may not have lifetime effectiveness (we're still studying to see if women need a booster shot after a few years). And there is a small risk with any vaccine of pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site (and more rarely fever, nausea, and dizziness). But we give vaccines because the benefits outweigh the risks. I'm glad you've gotten it (and your sister, too)!
Getting my third shot today. Thanks for posting this!
I got my third shot last August. I've heard people complain about how much this shot in particular hurts, but as my health isn't fantastic and I happen to get weekly injections for my allergies as well as an annual flu shot, I have to say that those were the easiest injections I've gotten in a long time.
I guess my advice for other readers is to just go and do it.
my main concern for my 18 year old daughter is that ten years down the rode is this vaccine going to cause problems with her getting pregnant. As with many things you never know what they will learn down the rode with different vaccinations and medications
If I've had warts on my hands in the past (two to be exact) does that mean that I have HPV? I was thinking of getting the shots but I'm still undecided about the whole thing. My risk of getting HPV from a partner is very very low considering that I am abstinent but I was just curious.
Kelly, the kinds of HPV that cause warts on hands and feet are different from the kinds that cause genital warts and pap smear changes. There are actually 200+ strains of HPV, and they all like different areas of the body. And the BEST time to get Gardasil is when you're not at risk of getting HPV - think of it as an insurance policy for the future.
i'm 28 is it too late to get vaccinated? currently i'm not active, but a friend who's a doctor told me that these vaccine is only given to people before they become sexually active, that afterwards there is no point, is this accurate or can i still take Gardasil just to be safe?