photo taken from kaiseredu.org

A recently FDA approved vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus which is called the HPV vaccine is said to prevent genital warts and is a good method of std prevention. This vaccine targets human papilloma virus (HPV) and is able to stop precancerous lesions in the vulva from progressing into full-blown malignancies, Dutch researchers report. Moreover, studies have concluded that the HPV vaccine was successful in reducing the incidence of genital warts in men which is associated with cancers of the anus, rectum, mouth and throat diagnosed in men annually. It has also been said that it prevents the virus to female partners and can potentially reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

Initially, it has been reported by the media and other sources that the HPV vaccine may cause girls to become more sexually active but recent information claims it to be false. The purpose of this vaccine is show the risks of sexual activity. Furthermore, more women are aware of a cancer they might not have not known yet which is caused by a virus that is passed by sexual activity.

Should the HPV vaccine be recommeded to men? HPV vaccine given to girls have made good economic sense but the same cannot be given to males due to their vaccine efficacy which reduces the cost-benefit ratio – an important consideration when most cases of cervical cancer are in developing countries that can’t afford the vaccine. In addition to that, the National Cancer Institute says targeting young women for vaccination and screening older women for cervical cancer will have much bigger impact in reducing disease than widespread male vaccination. The Harvard School of Public Health said that a campaign to include boys for vaccination will cost seven times more than focusing on girls alone and would be no more effective in reducing the incidence of HPV-related disease.

A study was done by telephone interview of 229 parents in five North Carolina countries. The study found that:

~ Few parents said their children experienced moderate or severe pain at the time of injection or afterward.

~ 65% of parents reported their daughters suffered some pain or discomfort after receiving an HPV vaccine, with more reported at the time of injection than in the hours and days that followed.

~ More parents reported pain at the time of tetanus shot or meningococcal vaccine than the HPV vaccine.

~ Parents were more likely to report their daughters suffered a higher level of pain or discomfort from tetanus booster shots and menningococcal vaccines.

The message of the study is that the HPV vaccine isn’t as painful as several people think it is. The researchers of the study urge health care providers to inform parents and their daughters that the pain from the HPV shots has been reported as being similar to or less than the discomfort from other adolescent vaccines. With the widespread sexually transmitted disease everywhere, it is best that we must give importance to std prevention. Getting yourself an HPV vaccine can help you prevent being infected with the human papilloma virus and can also help you become conscious of your sexual health. Never take for granted your sexuality and always use methods of std prevention to help you evade serious health problems in the future.