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HPV Vaccines
The most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) is HPV, also known as genital human papillomavirus. It infects both males and females who engage in sexual activity. Almost all women and men who are sexually active will get HPV at least once in their lives because it is so common, even if they only had sex with one partner. Not only the genitals, but also the mouth and throat can be infected with any type of HPV. There are over 40 types that can infect men and women.

Currently 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, with about 14 million becoming infected each year. Most of these individuals are in their late teens and early 20s. Over 10,000 women get cervical cancer from HPV and another 360,000 men and women get genital warts. Of those women who get cervical cancer, 12,000 of them will die. HPV also causes more than 7,500 different cancers in men. Over 20,000 of the different cancers caused by HPV can be easily prevented by getting the HPV vaccines (CDC, 2013a).

There is no treatment or cure for HPV, but there are ways to help prevent HPV for both men and women. HPV vaccines can help protect against some of the common types of HPV for men and women. The vaccine includes three shots that should be given over a six month period. After the first shot is given, the second shot should be administered one to two months later and the last shot should be given on the sixth month. It is important to give time for the immune system to respond to the vaccine, that is why it is better to get the vaccine around the ages of 11 and 12. The vaccines also recommended for those who are 13-26 years of age (CDC, 2013b). Clinical trials have shown that HPV vaccines are not very effective for women over the age of 26 (CDC, 2012b). Anyone who takes the vaccine should receive all three shots of the vaccine for it to be the most effective. Even if someone only received one shot, she/he should still come back and get the other two shots even if it has been longer than six months (CDC, 2013b).

There are two types of HPV vaccines for females, which are known as Cervarix and Gardasil. Both protect against HPV that causes most cervicalcancers but Gardasil helps to protect against genital warts and anal/vaginal cancers (CDC, 2013b). Men can also receive the Gardasil vaccine,which helps to protect against two types of HPV that causes genital warts and two types of HPV that causes cancers. These vaccines do not cure current HPV infections, but they do help to prevent new ones. It is best when one takes the vaccines before their first sexual encounter. The vaccine has no serious side effects and is very safe and effective. Multiple studies on HPV vaccines have found that mild side effects may occur such as fever, dizziness, and nausea. Over 46 million HPV doses have been administered throughout the US (CDC, 2012a).

For more information, please contact your local health department.

References

CDC. Division of STD Prevention, (2012a). Hpv and men fact sheet. Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

CDC. Division of STD Prevention, (2012b). Hpv vaccine information for young women fact sheet. Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-vaccine-young-women.htm

CDC. Division of STD Prevention. (2013a). Sexually transmitted diseases. Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm

CDC. National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, (2013b). Human papillomavirus. Retrieved from website: http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html Navigation menu